In Paul’s case, the one who did the sending was Christ Jesus, and the message is the Gospel of Christ Jesus. The oldest son was to get two shares, and each additional son was to receive one share (Deuteronomy 21:17). Did Paul become rich and famous? Colossians 1:1-14 “One Giant Leap” 1. The use of charis in the New Testament has its roots in the Hebrew word hesed, used in the Old Testament to speak of God’s lovingkindness, mercy, and faithfulness. Colossians 1:1-14 Standing Strong in Jesus (Stevenson) The idea that Jesus is the only way of salvation is at odds with a society that cannot understand how we can disagree with other religions and still respect them. perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; It means that prayer for the Colossians is a regular part of Paul’s life. This gives further testimony to the fact that Paul’s epistles (letters) were meant to be circulated and read to all churches (4:16). “Praying always” doesn’t mean that Paul spends every waking moments praying for the Colossian Christians. Paul first met young Timothy in Lystra, Timothy’s home town (Acts 16:1-5). Your blessing will be a life well lived—a life full of purpose—a life in which you will store up treasures in heaven, but probably not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). We can fulfill God’s purpose for us only as we seek to fill that space—as we seek to bring our wills into congruence with God’s will. Joy is a common theme in both Old and New Testaments. The ransom is the price paid to effect the redemption. But “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25). Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). But Paul tells these Colossian Christians that their hope grows out of their “faith in Christ Jesus” and “the love which (they) have toward all the saints” (v. 4). “strengthened with all power” (dunamoo—from dunamis) (v. 11a). The vices mentioned in 3:5-7 were more likely to be a problem for Gentiles rather than for Jews). So as we begin to read this passage from Colossians what Old Testament allusions or echoes might we immediately begin to notice? The source of true wisdom is understanding one’s proper place in relationship to God. Storge is familial love, such as the love one has for a child or parent. The list goes on and on. 4 1 “For indeed the day 2 is coming, burning like a furnace, and all the arrogant evildoers will be chaff. The thrust of his/heragape love is giving, not getting. The blessed Spirit is the author of this. We are blood relatives of Godly people who lived long ago—and of those who will come after us. Good words will not do without good works. However, Christ doesn’t call us to become rich and to accumulate expensive toys. Commentary, Colossians 1:1-14 (Pentecost +7), Karl Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010. Might it be that when Paul, a Jew deeply embedded in the narrative and symbolism of the Hebrew scriptures, employs a metaphor like “fruit” there is a whole wealth of allusion to be unpacked? Paul often speaks of hagioi—a word that means “holy ones” but is usually translated “saints” in our English-language Bibles. • God provided detailed guidance in the 613 laws of the Torah. Date: April 14, 2010; Reference: Colossians 1:1-14; Series: Christ Above All: Commentary on Colossians; Teacher: Pastor Robert Furrow God has delivered these Colossian Christians from the power of darkness, and has ushered them into the realm of light. New Testament Christians thought of each other as brother and sister (Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 16:12; Ephesians 6:23; 1 Timothy 6:2; Revelation 1:9; 12:10)—and used those words to speak of each other. Eirene is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Both have to do with endurance. Timothy is Paul’s faithful coworker. He tells them to put away “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth” (3:8). Wherever possible, other family members would redeem the enslaved family member or the land to restore things to the way they were meant to be. 44 (Dallas: Word Books, 1982), Pao, David W., Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Colossians & Philemon(Zondervan, 2012), Wall, Robert W., IVP New Testament Commentary: Colossians and Ephesians (IVP Academic, 2010), Wright, N.T., Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Colossians and Philemon, Vol. So don’t respond to Christ’s call thinking that your faithfulness will bring you riches. The Christians in Colossae faced a similar situation. Commentary on Colossians 1:1-14 View Bible Text This text seemingly consists of the rather mundane opening of Paul’s letter to Christians living in the town of Colossae. Forgiveness is needed when one person does something to offend another person. Fathers were not even permitted to alter this formula to favor a well-liked son or to punish a son (Deuteronomy 21:16). No wonder the psalmist this week prays, “Lead me in your truth, and teach me” (Psalm 25:5). The birth of the Savior is an occasion for joy (Luke 2:10-11). “that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects” (v. 10a). “Grace (charis) to you” (v. 2b). The New Testament presents Jesus’ death on the cross as a redemptive act for humanity—as a “ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Paul is calling these Colossian Christians to live in harmony and tranquility with each other. Torah law specified who was to be considered an heir—and how much each heir was to inherit. “and peace” (eirene) (v. 2c). Three times I suffered shipwreck. 1 These commentaries on Colossians will assume Pauline authorship of this epistle. Colossians 1:14 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Colossians 1:14, NIV: "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." All of this is a satanic substitute for the power of Jesus Christ -- … He has heard of their faith in Christ and their love for the saints (v. 4). Let’s be sure to notice those good things—and to express appreciation whenever possible. The word “glory” is used in the Bible to speak of various wonderful things—but it is used especially to speak of God’s glory—an aura associated with God’s appearance that reveals God’s majesty to humans. Thanksgiving has its roots in the Old Testament. It is a “hope which is laid up for (them) in the heavens” (v. 5a)—hope that gives them a vision of a blessed future, and thereby gives them strength for today. He tells us that “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). God, therefore, is the patron—the benefactor. • A number of practices involving regular worship, stewardship, proclamation, charity, hospitality, etc. in labor and travail, in watchings often, We can’t deal with it. Give a little/brief background to the book. He said, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you” (Ezekiel 36:25). Paul wroteto the Christians who lived in the city called Colossae. Yahweh then led Israel to the Promised Land, a land of milk and honey, where they were subject only to Yahweh, who loved them. He wants them to endure with joy. In other words, philos has to do both with giving and getting, while agape has to do only with giving—with an unalloyed concern for the welfare of the other person. This is a word, says our Deuteronomy reading, that is not far away, but rather, “the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your hearts for you to observe” (Deuteronomy 30:14). • He calls us to servant ministry—to give food to those who are hungry—and water to those who are thirsty—to welcome strangers and to visit those who are sick or are in prison (Matthew 25:31ff). It would be too much for us. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: The Apostle Paul wrote this letter (epistle) to the church at Colossae, a small city located on the Lycus River in Asia Minor (modern Turkey)—known for its production of wool and woolen goods. Barclay, William, Daily Study Bible: Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, (Edinburgh: The Saint Andrew Press, 1963, Bruce, F. F., The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon and to the Ephesians (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1984), Donelson, Lewis R., Colossians, Ephesians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus, (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996, Dunham, Maxie D., The Preacher’s Commentary: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982), Hay, David M., Abingdon New Testament Commentary: Colossians (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000), Lincoln, Andrew T., The New Interpreter’s Bible: 2 Corinthians to Philemon, Vol. Colossians Commentary. Love is the first of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)—and is the greatest of Christian virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13). It could imply forgiveness of a financial debt, which would constitute release from that obligation. While Paul has not had the opportunity to visit the Colossian church, he does have many opportunities to pray for them. It has Old Testament roots. First Reading. Paul again compliments the Colossian Christians, in whom the Good News is bearing fruit and growing—and has been doing so since the day they first heard the Gospel. In the New Jerusalem, the angels will worship God with songs of thanksgiving (Revelation 7:11-12). The kind of knowledge of God that Paul prizes involves a relationship with God—a relationship that grows and deepens as the person becomes better and better acquainted with God—a relationship in which love is both received and given (note the order—we first receive love from God, which enables us to give love back to God). The coming day will burn them up,” says the Lord who rules over all. 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