Text -- Colossians 1:9 (NET)

Paul’s Prayer for the Growth of the Church

1:9 For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Col 1:9

That ye may be filled with ( hina plērōthēte ).

First aorist (effective) passive subjunctive of plēroō , to fill full.

Robertson: Col 1:9

The knowledge of his will ( tēn epignōsin tou thelēmatos autou ).

The accusative case is retained with this passive verb. Epignōsis is a Koiné[28928]š word (Polybius, Plutarch, etc.) for additional (epi ) or full knowledge. The word is the keynote of Paul’ s reply to the conceit of Gnosticism. The cure for these intellectual upstarts is not ignorance, not obscurantism, but more knowledge of the will of God.

Robertson: Col 1:9

In all spiritual wisdom and understanding ( en pasēi sophiāi kai sunesei pneumatikēi ).

Both pasei (all) and pneumatikēi (spiritual) are to be taken with both sophiāi and sunesei . In Eph 1:8 Paul uses phronēsei (from phrēn , intellect) rather than sunesei (grasp, from suniēmi , to send together). Sunesis is the faculty of deciding in particular cases while sophia gives the general principles (Abbott). Paul faces Gnosticism with full front and wishes the freest use of all one’ s intellectual powers in interpreting Christianity. The preacher ought to be the greatest man in the world for he has to deal with the greatest problems of life and death.

Vincent: Col 1:9

We also

Marking the reciprocal feeling of Paul and Timothy with that of the Colossians.

Vincent: Col 1:9

Pray - desire ( προσευχόμενοι - αἰτούμενοι )

The words occur together in Mar 11:24. The former is general, the latter special. Rev. make request is better than desire . The A.V. renders indiscriminately ask and desire . Rev. alters desire to ask . Desire in the sense of ask occurs in Shakespeare and Spenser.

Vincent: Col 1:9

Knowledge ( ἐπίγνωσιν )

See on Rom 3:20; see on Phm 1:6. Full knowledge. See Rom 1:21, Rom 1:28; 1Co 13:12, where Paul contrasts γινώσκειν to know γνῶσις knowledge , with ἐπιγινώσκειν to know fully , ἐπίγνωσις full knowledge . Here appropriate to the knowledge of God in Christ as the perfection of knowledge.

Vincent: Col 1:9

Wisdom and spiritual understanding ( σοφίᾳ καὶ συνέσει πνευματικῇ )

Rev., better, applies spiritual to both - spiritual wisdom and understanding . The kindred adjectives σοφός wise and συνετός prudent , occur together, Mat 11:25; Luk 10:21. For σοφία wisdom , see on Rom 11:33, and on wise , Jam 3:13. For σύνεσις understanding , see on Mar 12:33, and see on prudent , Mat 11:25. The distinction is between general and special. Understanding is the critical apprehension of particulars growing out of wisdom , which apprehension is practically applied by φρόνησις prudence , see on Luk 1:17; see on Eph 1:8. Spiritual is emphatic, as contrasted with the vain philosophy of false teachers.

Wesley: Col 1:9

This was mentioned in general, Col 1:3, but now more particularly.

Wesley: Col 1:9

Of his revealed will.

Wesley: Col 1:9

With all the wisdom from above.

Wesley: Col 1:9

To discern by that light whatever agrees with, or differs from, his will.

JFB: Col 1:9

On our part.

JFB: Col 1:9

(Col 1:4).

JFB: Col 1:9

Here he states what in particular he prays for; as in Col 1:3 he stated generally the fact of his praying for them.

JFB: Col 1:9

"to make request."

JFB: Col 1:9

Rather, "may be filled"; a verb, often found in this Epistle (Col 4:12, Col 4:17).

JFB: Col 1:9

Greek, "full and accurate knowledge." Akin to the Greek for "knew" (see on Col 1:6).

JFB: Col 1:9

As to how ye ought to walk (Eph 5:17); as well as chiefly that "mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself; that in the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ" (Eph 1:9-10); God's "will," whereby He eternally purposed to reconcile to Himself, and save men by Christ, not by angels, as the false teachers in some degree taught (Col 2:18) [ESTIUS]. There seems to have been a want of knowledge among the Colossians; notwithstanding their general excellencies; hence he so often dwells on this subject (Col 1:28; Col 2:2-3; Col 3:10, Col 3:13; Col 4:5-6). On the contrary he less extols wisdom to the Corinthians, who were puffed up with the conceit of knowledge.

JFB: Col 1:9

Often mentioned in this Epistle, as opposed to the (false) "philosophy" and "show of wisdom" (Col 2:8, Col 2:23; compare Eph 1:8).

JFB: Col 1:9

Sagacity to discern what on each occasion is suited to the place and the time; its seat is "the understanding" or intellect; wisdom is more general and has its seat in the whole compass of the faculties of the soul [BENGEL]. "Wouldst thou know that the matters in the word of Christ are real things? Then never read them for mere knowledge sake" [Quoted by GAUSSEN.] Knowledge is desirable only when seasoned by "spiritual understanding."

Clarke: Col 1:9

For this cause - See on Eph 1:15-16 (note), where the same sentiment occurs

Clarke: Col 1:9

That ye might be filled - Nothing could satisfy the apostle, either for himself or his hearers, but the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of peace. The Colossians had knowledge, but they must have more; it is their privilege to be filled with it. As the bright shining of the sun in the firmament of heaven fills the whole world with light and heat, so the light of the Sun of righteousness is to illuminate their whole souls, and fill them with Divine splendor, so that they might know the will of God, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; in a word, that they might have such a knowledge of Divine things as the Spirit of truth can teach to the soul of man.

Calvin: Col 1:9

9.For this cause we also As he has previously shewn his affection for them in his thanksgivings, so he now shews it still farther in the earnestness of his prayers in their behalf. ²⁸⁸ And, assuredly, the more that the grace of God is conspicuous in any, we ought in that proportion specially to love and esteem them, and to be concerned as to their welfare. But what does he pray for in their behalf? That they may know God more fully; by which he indirectly intimates, that something is still wanting in them, that he may prepare the way for imparting instruction to them, and may secure their attention to a fuller statement of doctrine. For those who think that they have already attained everything that is worthy of being known, despise and disdain everything farther that is presented to them. Hence he removes from the Colossians an impression of this nature, lest it should be a hinderance in the way of their cheerfully making progress, and allowing what had been begun in them to receive an additional polish. But what knowledge does he desire in their behalf? The knowledge of the divine will, by which expression he sets aside all inventions of men, and all speculations that are at variance with the word of God. For his will is not to be sought anywhere else than in his word.

He adds — in all wisdom; by which he intimates that the will of God, of which he had made mention, was the only rule of right knowledge. For if any one is desirous simply to know those things which it has pleased God to reveal, that is the man who accurately knows what it is to be truly wise. If we desire anything beyond that, this will be nothing else than to be foolish, by not keeping within due bounds. By the word συνέσεως which we render prudentiam , (prudence,) I understand — that discrimination which proceeds from intelligence. Both are called spiritual by Paul, because they are not attained in any other way than by the guidance of the Spirit.

For the animal man does not perceive the things that are of God.
(1Co 2:14.)

So long as men are regulated by their own carnal perceptions, they have also their own wisdom, but it is of such a nature as is mere vanity, however much they may delight themselves in it. We see what sort of theology there is under the Papacy, what is contained in the books of philosophers, and what wisdom profane men hold in estimation. Let us, however, bear in mind, that the wisdom which is alone commended by Paul is comprehended in the will of God.

Defender: Col 1:9

"Filled" is the same word in the Greek as "fulfilled." A Christian who knows and obeys God's will is like a fulfilled prophecy, completed and giving strong testimony to the truth of God and His Word. A fulfilled believer will not only be "filled with the knowledge of His will," but also "filled with the fruits of righteousness" (Phi 1:11), filled "with all joy and peace in believing" (Rom 15:13), "filled with the Spirit" (Eph 5:18), "filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph 3:19), "perfect and complete [filled] in all the will of God" (Col 4:12), and "complete in [Christ]" (Col 2:10).

Defender: Col 1:9

"Knowledge" is the same as "science." The "knowledge of His will" could be considered as the science of God's will; perhaps one could call this science "thelemology" (the Greek word for will is thelema). God has indeed given us guidelines for knowing His will. The principles of "thelemology" could be grouped in two categories: God's general will for all His people, and God's specific will for each individual believer. His general will includes knowledge and acceptance concerning creation (Rev 4:11, the last occurrence of will in the Bible, there translated "pleasure"), redemption (Heb 10:7-10), salvation (2Ti 1:9), regeneration (Joh 1:13; Eph 1:5), security (Joh 6:39; Joh 17:24), sanctification (1Th 4:3; 1Th 5:18; 1Pe 2:15), and our eternal presence with Christ (Joh 17:24; Eph 1:9-11). The knowledge of His particular will is conditioned on willingness to follow it (Joh 7:17; Rom 12:1, Rom 12:2), obedience when known (Jam 1:22; Mat 7:21), prayer for guidance (1Jo 5:14, 1Jo 5:15), obedience to the relevant Scriptures (Psa 119:105), recognition of relevant circumstances (1Co 12:4, 1Co 12:11; Rom 8:26-28), and inner confidence (Phi 4:6, Phi 4:7; Psa 32:8; Pro 3:5, Pro 3:6).

Defender: Col 1:9

It is noteworthy that forty-nine of the sixty-four occurrences of thelema (will) in the New Testament refer directly to God's will, not man's. Of the other fifteen, three refer to Jesus in His humanity and three to the Father as represented in parables by a human father. Thus, only nine (or 14 percent) refer to man's will. Based on this relative frequency of occurrence in the Spirit-inspired Scriptures, it would seem that He considered the will of God far more important than that of man."

TSK: Col 1:9

since : Col 1:3, Col 1:4, Col 1:6; Rom 1:8-10; Eph 1:15, Eph 1:16

do : 1Sa 12:23; Act 12:5; Phi 1:4; 1Th 1:3, 1Th 5:17; 2Th 1:11; 2Ti 1:3, 2Ti 1:4; Phm 1:4

that ye : 1Co 1:5; Eph 1:15-20, Eph 3:14-19; Phi 1:9-11

of his : Col 4:12; Psa 143:10; Joh 7:17; Rom 12:2; Eph 5:10,Eph 5:17, Eph 6:6; Heb 10:36; Heb 13:21; 1Pe 2:15, 1Pe 4:2; 1Jo 2:17

wisdom : Col 3:16, Col 4:5; Psa 119:99; Eph 1:8; Jam 1:5, Jam 3:17

spiritual : 1Jo 5:20

Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Col 1:9

Do not cease to pray for you - Col 1:3. The progress which they had already made, and the love which they had shown, constituted an encouragement for prayer, and a reason why higher blessings still should be sought. We always feel stimulated and encouraged to pray for those who are doing well.

That ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will - They had shown by their faith and love that they were disposed to do his will, and the apostle now prays that they might be fully acquainted with what he would have them do. He offered a similar prayer in behalf of the Ephesians; see the parallel place in Eph 1:17-19, and the notes at those verses.

In all wisdom - That you may be truly wise in all things; Eph 1:17.

And spiritual understanding - In understanding those things that pertain to the "Spirit;"that is, those things taught by the Holy Spirit, and those which he produces in the work of salvation; see the notes at 1Co 2:12-13; compare 1Jo 2:20; 1Jo 5:20.

Poole: Col 1:9

For this cause we also he doth here suggest the motive mentioned in the precedent verses, viz. their faith and love, Col 1:4,5 , and their special love to him, Col 1:8 , why he and his brethren had them so much upon their hearts: See Poole on "Eph 1:15-17" .

Since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you: it seems, from the time they were refreshed with these things they did (as he exhorts the Colossians here, Col 4:2 ) always upon all solemn occasions wait upon God for the Colossians’ spiritual prosperity, as Paul himself did for the Philippians: See Poole on "Luk 18:1" . See Poole on "Rom 12:12" . See Poole on "Phi 1:4" . See Poole on "Phi 1:9" . See Poole on "1Th 5:17" .

And to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will and the subject matter of their instant prayer was, that they might attain to a more distinct, clear, and practical knowledge of the mind of God in Christ, and a greater measure of conformity to what he requires in the gospel, Col 1:6 Eph 5:15-17 .

In all wisdom in (rather than with) all necessary knowledge of the things of faith and manners, according to the prescript of the gospel: for sapience or wisdom doth properly respect the most excellent things, and such we learn most distinctly and satisfactorily from the revealed will of God, which we have in the Bible: this is that which Paul and other holy men spoke as taught of God amongst the perfect or grown Christians, in opposition both to the wisdom of man and of the world, 1Co 2:4,6 , being agreeable to the will of God, Job 28:28 Pro 28:7 Joh 6:40 1Th 4:3 . And with this Christian wisdom some would render the following words, in

spiritual prudence but if we render it understanding, or intelligence, it may be expounded to the same sense; for which there may be very good reason, for the philosopher doth sometimes by the Greek word mean that power or habit whereby men judge aright of things presented conducing to happiness, so as upon a due expense of circumstances to discern the good from the evil, the true from the false, and the real from the apparent: such a gift as Paul prays the Lord would give unto Timothy, 2Ti 2:7 , compared with 1Co 1:5 , that they might rightly distinguish between the simplicity and purity of the gospel, and those false glosses and colours that false teachers went about to sophisticate it with; not be without understanding his some who followed our Saviour, Mat 15:16 what course they should take in the practice of piety, but be able to discern the times, 1Ch 12:32 , and other circumstances, Psa 39:1 50:23 Ecc 5:1 Luk 8:18 ; for the ordering their actions aright, so as they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, as becomes the gospel, Eph 1:8 , with Phi 1:10,27 Col 4:5 Tit 2:10 . Ignorance then can be no mother of true devotion, nor the inventions of men acceptable service to the living God, whose will alone is the rule of his worship.

PBC: Col 1:9

I want you to know something but I'm not just concerned about you obtaining a lot of knowledge and being proud of what you know.  I want you to translate that into how you live.  I want you to walk worthy of the Lord.   What Paul has reference to is living up to the position you now have in Christ because positionally in Christ you have been made holy and pure and you're accepted in Him, now live like it.  Live as one who is indeed a new creature in Christ Jesus, being fruitful in every good work

Haydock: Col 1:9

In all wisdom. He begins by an admonition against false teachers, who it is likely, says St. John Chrysostom, with their philosophical notions mixed errors and fables. (Witham)

Gill: Col 1:9

For this cause we also,.... Not merely for their love to the apostle, and the rest that were with him; which sense is too much contracted, and carries some appearance of meanness and selfishness; but because of their faith in Christ, their love to all the saints, and the good hope they had of eternal happiness; and because they had heard the Gospel, and truly knew it, and sincerely professed it: therefore,

since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire; which shows that the apostles prayed without ceasing; not that they were every moment praying, without intermission, but that they were frequent and constant every day at the throne of grace; and as often as they were there, they were mindful of these Colossians, even ever since they heard of their reception of the Gospel, of their profession of it, and of the fruit it brought forth in them; and in their petitions "prayed" and "desired", earnestly and importunately entreated God on their behalf:

that ye might he filled with the knowledge of his will; the will "of God", as the Syriac version reads it, by which is meant, not the secret will of God, according to the counsel of which he does all things in nature, providence, and grace, but his revealed will; and that either as it is signified in the law, which declares the good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God, relating to what he would have done, or avoided by his creatures; or rather, as it is exhibited in the Gospel, which contains the will of God respecting the salvation of his chosen ones; as that it is his will that Christ should obtain eternal redemption for them, to do which he voluntarily substituted himself in their room, came into this world, and has accomplished it; and that all those that are redeemed by Christ should be regenerated by the Spirit; and that whoever sees the Son, and believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life; as also, that all those whom he has chosen in Christ, and given to him, and he has redeemed by his blood, and who are sanctified by his Spirit, none of them should be lost, but that they should be all saved with an everlasting salvation. Now the apostle does, not pray that they might have a "knowledge" of this will of God, for some knowledge of it they had already; they had heard of the hope laid up in heaven, in the truth of the word of the Gospel; they had not only had the external, revelation, and had heard the Gospel outwardly preached, but they had known truly the grace of God; and therefore what he asks for is, that they might be "filled" with the knowledge of it; which supposes that they had knowledge, but it was not full and complete; it was imperfect, as is the knowledge of the best of saints in this life; and that they might have a larger measure of it, and such a fulness of it as they were capable of in the present state, and not such an one as the saints will have in heaven, when they shall know even as they are known. He adds,

in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; his meaning is, that they might be led into all the wisdom of God, which is so largely displayed in the revelation of his will concerning the salvation of his people, which is made in the Gospel; which is the manifold wisdom of God, wherein he has abounded in all wisdom and prudence; and contains such a scheme of things, so wisely contrived and formed, that angels desire to look into it; and that they might have a "spiritual understanding" of the mysteries of grace, without which they cannot be discerned to spiritual advantage, nor indeed without the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of them: and the Ethiopic version renders it, by "the prudence of the Holy Ghost": who searches the deep things of God, and reveals them to the saints, and improves and increases their spiritual and experimental knowledge of them, which is what is here intended.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Col 1:9

¹ tn Or “heard about it”; Grk “heard.” There is no direct object stated in the Greek (direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context). A direct object is expected by an English reader, however, so most translations supply one. Here, however, it is not entirely clear what the author “heard”: a number of translations supply “it” (so KJV, NASB, NRSV; NAB “this”), but this could refer back either to (1) “your love in the Spirit” at the end of v. 8, or (2) “your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints” (v. 4). In light of this uncertainty, other translations supply “about you” (TEV, NIV, CEV, NLT). This is preferred by the present translation since, while it does not resolve the ambiguity entirely, it does make it less easy for the English reader to limit the reference only to “your love in the Spirit” at the end of v. 8.

² tn The term “God” does not appear in the Greek text, but the following reference to “the knowledge of his will” makes it clear that “God” is in view as the object of the “praying and asking,” and should therefore be included in the English translation for clarity.

³ tn The ἵνα (Jina) clause has been translated as substantival, indicating the content of the prayer and asking. The idea of purpose may also be present in this clause.

Geneva Bible: Col 1:9

For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of ^{( f )} his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

^{( f )} God's will.

Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Col 1:1-29

1 After salutation Paul thanks God for their faith;

7 confirms the doctrine of Epaphras;

9 prays further for their increase in grace;

14 describes the true Christ;

21 encourages them to receive Jesus Christ, and commends his own ministry.

MHCC: Col 1:9-14

The apostle was constant in prayer, that the believers might be filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all wisdom. Good words will not do without good works. He who undertakes to give strength to his people, is a God of power, and of glorious power. The blessed Spirit is the author of this. In praying for spiritual strength, we are not straitened, or confined in the promises, and should not be so in our hopes and desires. The grace of God in the hearts of believers is the power of God; and there is glory in this power. The special use of this strength was for sufferings. There is work to be done, even when we are suffering. Amidst all their trials they gave thanks to the Father of our Lord Jesus, whose special grace fitted them to partake of the inheritance provided for the saints. To bring about this change, those were made willing subjects of Christ, who were slaves of Satan. All who are designed for heaven hereafter, are prepared for heaven now. Those who have the inheritance of sons, have the education of sons, and the disposition of sons. By faith in Christ they enjoyed this redemption, as the purchase of his atoning blood, whereby forgiveness of sins, and all other spiritual blessings were bestowed. Surely then we shall deem it a favour to be delivered from Satan's kingdom and brought into that of Christ, knowing that all trials will soon end, and that every believer will be found among those who come out of great tribulation.

Matthew Henry: Col 1:9-11

The apostle proceeds in these verses to pray for them. He heard that they were good, and he prayed that they might be better. He was constant in this prayer: We do not cease to pray for you. It may be he could hear of them but seldom, but he constantly prayed for them. - And desire that you may be filled with the knowledge, etc. Observe what it is that he begs of God for them,

I. That they might be knowing intelligent Christians: filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Observe, 1. The knowledge of our duty is the best knowledge. A mere empty notion of the greatest truths is insignificant. Our knowledge of the will of God must be always practical: we must know it, in order to do it. 2. Our knowledge is then a blessing indeed when it is in wisdom, when we know how to apply our general knowledge to our particular occasions, and to suit it to all emergencies. 3. Christians should endeavour to be filled with knowledge; not only to know the will of God, but to know more of it, and to increase in the knowledge of God (as it is Col 1:10), and to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, 2Pe 3:18.

II. That their conversation might be good. Good knowledge without a good life will not profit. Our understanding is then a spiritual understanding when we exemplify it in our way of living: That you may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing (Col 1:10), that is, as becomes the relation we stand in to him and the profession we make of him. The agreeableness of our conversation to our religion is pleasing to God as well as to good men. We walk unto all well-pleasing when we walk in all things according to the will of God. Being fruitful in every good work. This is what we should aim at. Good words will not do without good works. We must abound in good works, and in every good work: not in some only, which are more easy, and suitable, and safe, but in all, and every instance of them. There must be a regular uniform regard to all the will of God. And the more fruitful we are in good works the more we shall increase in the knowledge of God. He who doeth his will shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, Joh 7:17.

III. That they might be strengthened: Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power (Col 1:11), fortified against the temptations of Satan and furnished for all their duty. It is a great comfort to us that he who undertakes to give strength to his people is a God of power and of glorious power. Where there is spiritual life there is still need of spiritual strength, strength for all the actions of the spiritual life. To be strengthened is to be furnished by the grace of God for every good work, and fortified by that grace against every evil one: it is to be enabled to do our duty, and still to hold fast our integrity. The blessed Spirit is the author of this strength; for we are strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inward man, Eph 3:16. The word of God is the means of it, by which he conveys it; and it must be fetched in by prayer. It was in answer to earnest prayer that the apostle obtained sufficient grace. In praying for spiritual strength we are not straitened in the promises, and therefore should not be straitened in our own hopes and desires. Observe, 1. He prayed that they might be strengthened with might: this seems a tautology; but he means, that they might be mightily strengthened, or strengthened with might derived from another. 2. It is with all might. It seems unreasonable that a creature should be strengthened with all might, for that is to make him almighty; but he means, with all that might which we have occasion for, to enable us to discharge our duty or preserve our innocence, that grace which is sufficient for us in all the trials of life and able to help us in time of need. 3. It is according to his glorious power. He means, according to the grace of God: but the grace of God in the hearts of believers is the power of God; and there is a glory in this power; it is an excellent and sufficient power. And the communications of strength are not according to our weakness, to whom the strength is communicated, but according to his power, from whom it is received. When God gives he gives like himself, and when he strengthens he strengthens like himself. 4. The special use of this strength was for suffering work: That you may be strengthened unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. He prays not only that they may be supported under their troubles, but strengthened for them: the reason is there is work to be done even when we are suffering. And those who are strengthened according to his glorious power are strengthened, (1.) To all patience. When patience hath its perfect work (Jam 1:4) then we are strengthened to all patience - when we not only bear our troubles patiently, but receive them as gifts from God, and are thankful for them. To you it is given to suffer, Phi 1:29. When we bear our troubles well, though ever so many, and the circumstances of them ever so aggravating, then we bear them with all patience. And the same reason for bearing one trouble will hold for bearing another, if it be a good reason. All patience includes all the kinds of it; not only bearing patience, but waiting patience. (2.) This is even unto long-suffering, that is, drawn out to a great length: not only to bear trouble awhile, but to bear it as long as God pleases to continue it. (3.) It is with joyfulness, to rejoice in tribulation, to take joyfully the spoiling of our goods, and rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for his name, to have joy as well as patience in the troubles of life. This we could never do by any strength of our own, but as we are strengthened by the grace of God.

Barclay: Col 1:9-11

It is a very precious thing to hear the prayers of a saint for his friends; and that is what we hear in this passage. It may well be said that this passage teaches us more about the essence of prayer's request than almost any other in the New Testament. From it we learn, as C. F. D. Moule has said, that prayer makes two great requests. It asks for the discernment of God's will and then for the power to perform that will.

(i) Prayer begins by asking that we may be filled with an ever-growing knowledge of the will of God. Its great object is to know the will of God. We are trying not so much to make God listen to us as to make ourselves listen to him; we are trying not to persuade God to do what we want, but to find out what he wants us to do. It so often happens that in prayer we are really saying, "Thy will be changed," when we ought to be saying, "Thy will be done." The first object of prayer is not so much to speak to God as to listen to him.

(ii) This knowledge of God must be translated into our human situation. We pray for spiritual wisdom and understanding. Spiritual wisdom is sophia (4678), which we could describe as knowledge of first principles. Understanding is sunesis (4907), which is what the Greeks sometimes described as critical knowledge, meaning the ability to apply first principles to any given situation which may arise in life. So when Paul prays that his friends may have wisdom and understanding, he is praying that they may understand the great truths of Christianity and may be able to apply them to the tasks and decisions which meet them in everyday living. A man may quite easily be a master of theology and a failure in living; able to write and talk about the eternal truths and yet helpless to apply them to the things which meet him every day. The Christian must know what Christianity means, not in a vacuum but in the business of living.

(iii) This knowledge of God's will, and this wisdom and understanding, must issue in right conduct. Paul prays that his friends may conduct themselves in such a way as to please God. There is nothing in this world so practical as prayer. It is not escape from reality. Prayer and action go hand in hand. We pray not in order to escape life but in order to be better able to meet it.

(iv) To do this we need power. Therefore, Paul prays that his friends may be strengthened with the power of God. The great problem in life is not to know what to do but to do it. For the most part, we are well aware in any given situation what we ought to do; our problem is to put that knowledge into action. What we need is power; and that we receive in prayer. If God merely told us what his will was, that might well be a frustrating situation; but he not only tells us his will, he also enables us to perform it.

Knowledge we ask not, knowledge thou hast lent,

But Lord--the will, there lies our deepest need.

Grant us to build above the high intent--

The deed--the deed.

Through prayer we reach the greatest gift in all the world--knowledge plus power.

Barclay: Col 1:9-11

What we might call the asking part of Paul's prayer ends with a prayer for three great qualities. He prays that his Colossian friends may possess all fortitude, patience and joy.

Fortitude and patience are two great Greek words which often keep company. Fortitude is hupomone (5281) and patience is makrothumia (3115). There is a distinction between these two words. It would not be true to say that Greek always rigidly observes this distinction, but it is there when the words occur together.

Hupomone (5281) is translated patience in the King James Version. But it does not mean patience in the sense of simply bowing the head and letting the tide of events flow over one. It means not only the ability to bear things, but the ability, in bearing them, to turn them into glory. It is a conquering patience. Hupomone (5281) is the ability to deal triumphantly with anything that life can do to us.

Makrothumia (3115) is usually translated long-suffering in the King James Version. Its basic meaning is patience with people. It is the quality of mind and heart which enables a man so to bear with people that their unpleasantness and maliciousness and cruelty will never drive him to bitterness, that their unteachableness will never drive him to despair, that their folly will never drive him to irritation, and that their unloveliness will never alter his love. Makrothumia (3115) is the spirit which never loses patience with, belief in, and hope for men.

So Paul prays for hupomone (5281), the fortitude which no situation can defeat, and makrothumia (3115), the patience which no person can defeat. He prays that the Christian may be such that no circumstances will defeat his strength and no human being defeat his love. The Christian's fortitude in events and patience with people must be indestructible.

Added to all this there is joy. The Christian way is not a grim struggle with events and with people; it is a radiant and sunny-hearted attitude to life. The Christian joy is joy in any circumstances. As C. F. D. Moule puts it: "If joy is not rooted in the soil of suffering, it is shallow." It is easy to be joyful when things go well, but the Christian radiance is something which not all the shadows of life can quench.

So the Christian prayer is: "Make me, O Lord, victorious over every circumstance; make me patient with every person; and withal give me the joy which no circumstance and no man will ever take from me."

Constable: Col 1:9-14

C. Prayer 1:9-14

Paul told his readers that he prayed for their full perception and deepest understanding of God's will for them and for all believers. He did this so they would be able to glorify God in their conduct. He told them this to remind them that their understanding must come through the working of God's Spirit in them and that correct understanding is foundational to correct behavior.

1:9 In view of the Colossians' trust in Christ, Paul and his companions had been praying consistently for them. They had prayed both thanksgivings and petitions since they had heard of the Colossians' reception of the Word and their consequent love, which the Holy Spirit produced in them. Specifically they asked that God would give them full and exact knowledge of all His desires for them. The Greek word translated "knowledge" is epignosis. This word can mean either full knowledge or more precise knowledge.¹⁹ Probably Paul prayed for greater knowledge in both respects. This word always describes moral and religious knowledge in the New Testament. Especially it refers to full and comprehensive knowledge of God's will that rests on the knowledge of God and of Christ.²⁰ Gnosis ("knowledge") was a favorite term of the gnostic philosophers, and Paul undoubtedly had them in mind when he prayed for epignosis for his readers.

The "will" (thelematos) of God is what God has revealed in His Word to be correct regarding both belief (faith) and behavior (works, morality; cf. 4:12; Acts 22:14; Rom. 12:2). In the broadest sense, the will of God is the whole purpose of God revealed in Christ.²¹

"For a theist who believes that God's active purpose determines the ordering of the world, lies behind events on earth, and shapes their consequences, one of the most desirable objectives must be to know God's will."²²

This knowledge included wisdom (the broadest term covering the whole range of mental faculties) and understanding (how to apply wisdom in specific cases).

"Wisdom' and understanding' probably should not be treated separately but should be looked on as expressing a single thought, something like practical wisdom or clear discernment."²³

This knowledge would come to them only by the illumination of the Holy Spirit ("spiritual wisdom"). The false teachers in Colosse were evidently promoting what they called a deeper knowledge attainable only by the privileged few.

"The false teachers promised the Colossian believers that they would be in the know' if they accepted the new doctrines. Words like knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual understanding were a part of their religious vocabulary; so Paul used these words in his prayer."²⁴

"The true antidote to heresy is always a deeper and richer knowledge of the truth concerning Jesus Christ."²⁵

1:10-12a The goal of understanding God's will fully was that the Colossians would be able to live one day at a time in a manner that would glorify and please their Lord.²⁶ "Please" (Gr. aresko) refers to an attitude that anticipates every wish.

"In my pastoral ministry, I have met people who have become intoxicated with studying the deeper truths of the Bible.' Usually they have been given a book or introduced to some teacher's tapes. Before long, they get so smart they become dumb! The deeper truths' they discover only detour them from practical Christian living. Instead of getting burning hearts of devotion to Christ (Luke 24:32), they get big heads and start creating problems in their homes and churches. All Bible truths are practical, not theoretical. If we are growing in knowledge, we should also be growing in grace (2 Peter 3:18)."²⁷

Four characteristics (each a present participle) mark this worthy walk (an aorist infinitive in the Greek text, vv. 10-12). First, it includes continuously bearing fruit in character and conduct in every type of good work (cf. Gal. 5:22-23). Second, it includes growing. Paul's idea was that the Christian can continue to grow in his knowledge of God's will revealed in Scripture. As he does so, he not only bears fruit but grows in his ability to bear fruit, as a fruit tree does.

"What rain and sunshine are to the nurture of plants, the knowledge of God is to the growth and maturing of the spiritual life."²⁸

Third, it includes gaining strength manifested in steadfastness (endurance under trial, "the capacity to see things through"²⁹), patience (longsuffering restraint), and joy (cf. Phil. 4:13; 2 Tim. 2:1). Fourth, it includes expressing gratitude to God consistently.

"There is s kind of patience that endures but does not enjoy.' Paul prayed that the Colossian Christians might experience joyful patience and longsuffering."³⁰

Three causes for thankful gratitude follow in verses 12b-13.

1:12b-13 God qualifies the believer by His grace. He makes us heirs of an inheritance (cf. 1 Pet. 1:4).³¹ The qualification to receive an inheritance took place at conversion, though actual possession of the inheritance is future. Second, He delivers us from Satan's domain (v. 13a). This, too, took place at conversion but will become more evident in the future. Third, He transferred us to Christ's kingdom (v. 13b). The verb translated "transferred" (metestesen) described the relocation of large groups of people such as captured armies or colonists from one country to another.³² This kingdom is probably a reference to Christ's millennial kingdom rather than to the general sphere of God's rule.³³ Paul pictured it here (vv. 12-13) as a kingdom of light as opposed to Satan's domain of darkness.³⁴ The apostle probably used these figures because the false teachers in Colosse seem to have been promoting a form of Gnosticism that became very influential in the second century. Gnosticism made much of the light-darkness contrast in its philosophic system.³⁵

1:14 Perhaps Paul explained redemption because the false teachers were redefining that term too. Redemption is a benefit of union with Christ (v. 13b). "Emancipation" expresses this aspect of Christ's work for us.

"The real redemption [apolutrosis, lit. ransoming away] needed by men is not a redemption from fate by gnostic aeons; it is a redemption from sin by a Divine-human Mediator."³⁶

"Redemption and forgiveness are not exactly parallel or identical concepts, but by putting the two terms in apposition to each other, the apostle teaches that the central feature of redemption is the forgiveness of sins."³⁷

This pericope contains a beautiful picture of Christian growth that is God's will for every believer. Paul alluded to the same concept later (2:7). The Christian grows more as a fruit tree than as a stalk of wheat. We do not just bear fruit and then die. We continue to grow in our ability to bear fruit as we increase in the knowledge of God. Each passing year should see both growth in the Christian's spiritual life and an increase in his or her fruitfulness.

College: Col 1:1-29

COLOSSIANS 1

SALUTATION (1:1-2)

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

² To the holy and faithful ^a brothers in Christ at Colosse:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father. ^b

^a 2 Or believing ^b 2 Some manuscripts Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

The epistle opens in the usual form for letters of the day. To most Colossian Christians Paul was just a name, since he had never been there personally. In all his letters except Philippians, Philemon, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians he introduced himself as an "apostle." This was probably done for various reasons, and here it may have been to give weight to his words for a church he had never visited. The impression was enhanced by his indication of the source of his call ("of Jesus Christ by the will of God"). Such a person's words could not be taken lightly.

and Timothy our brother,

Timothy's name was joined to Paul's in 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians and Philemon. Colossians 4:18 indicates he was not a coauthor of the letter. Of all Paul's companions "in chains" (4:7-14) Timothy may have been singled out because of a special relation to Paul as a permanent coworker. We do not know what previous relations, if any, he had with the Colossian church, though we can suppose he was known to them by name. Was inclusion of his name a second-person verification of Paul's message, or was it to mark Timothy as a preacher of the true gospel? Or was there some other reason?

1:2 To the holy and faithful

The word for "holy" (a{gioi , hagioi ) or a cognate is the term of greeting in all of Paul's letters to churches except 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Galatians. It indicates that they had been chosen and set apart by God - a special people. In some contexts the term indicates a holy lifestyle, but that would be a strange meaning in greeting a church like Corinth. Thus "saints" (the noun form) is the preferred meaning, and even with "holy" as in the NIV, it is God's choice, not their conduct, which is to be understood.

"Faithful" (pistoiv , pistoi ) could mean "believers" in contrast to the outsiders who did not believe in Christ. But that meaning could be indicated simply by saying "in Christ." Therefore we prefer to see "faithful" as meaning "steadfast." Thus it would be an early encouragement to be true to Christ in the face of heresy.

brothers in Christ at Colosse:

"In Christ" or a similar expression punctuates the book at many points (1:4,14,16,17,19; 2:3,9,10,11,12,15 [in Greek]; 3:18,20 [Greek]; 4:7 and 17). It meant "as Christians" and the frequency of such references here as elsewhere indicated the all-encompassing scope of the new life.

Grace and peace to you

The greeting "grace and peace" was a Christian application of the form of secular letters (see the comments on Phil 1:2). Given the nature of Christian interrelationships, it would indicate a deep and prayerful concern for one another, rather than a perfunctory greeting. Among the blessings made possible by divine grace was "peace" (eijrhvnh , eirçnç , "well-being"). On peace see 1:15 and 3:20. The salutation thus combines Greek and Hebrew greetings in a Christian context and wishes an enhancement of blessings already received. "From God" says that they were not generated just from man, but were divinely granted. The highest power in the universe was called upon in these simple words. Grace surrounds the letter, being found again in 4:18.

from God our Father.

Normally Pauline greetings were from God and from "the Lord Jesus Christ." Though the reference to Christ is absent here, the body of the letter will present Christ to readers in an unforgettable way.

I. THANKSGIVING (1:3-8)

³ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints - ⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. ⁷ You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our ^a behalf, ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

^a 7 Some manuscripts your

These verses thank God for his grace given to the Colossians as well as given all over the world. Verses 3 through 8 are one sentence in Greek, and it is at times difficult to interpret exactly. The Hellenistic letter form is followed, but it is given a distinctly Christian stamp. Following this paragraph is Paul's prayer, based upon what is described in the present verses. Paul speaks of the Colossians in verses 3-6a, then of the worldwide influence of the gospel in 6b. In the remainder of verse 6 and in verse 7 he returns to consider the Colossians. The progress of their faith was from preaching (by Epaphras, v. 7) to hope (v. 5) to love (v. 4) to Paul's prayers (vv. 8ff).

1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

Jesus is first mentioned in this verse. He is introduced as "Lord" (kuvrio" , kyrios ), and his Lordship is constantly on display throughout the epistle. It draws powerful significance from the hymn in 1:15-20. We are invited by the ways this book will describe Jesus to make comparison with the way he is presented in the first three gospels. Such a comparison helps us appreciate how God had enlarged the church's perception of the one who was "Lord and Christ."

"Thanks" to God is a conspicuous note in Colossians (cf. 1:12; 2:7; 3:15,16,17; 4:2). Here it was a plural thanksgiving, indicating Timothy, and likely others, joined Paul in prayer. Perhaps regular group prayers by those in Paul's company are implied. "Always" implies a constancy in the prayers, as well as a continuing gratitude. God was called "Father" in a scattering of Old Testament references, but fatherhood here is because of Christ, his Son, and because Christians are God's sons in a special way. In other words, God is seen differently because of Jesus.

The content of the prayer will be given in verses 9-12. See also 4:2-4,12.

1:4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus

Now the reason for the thanks is given. It was due to their faith and love response to the hope given by God. Faith, hope, and love are often grouped in Paul's writings (1 Cor 13:13; Rom 5:1-5; Gal 5:5f; 1 Thess 3:5-8) and one or more, as here, is often the reason for his thanksgiving. Reference to their love recurs in verse 8.

Two views are held of the expression "in Christ Jesus." One maintains that it was trust in Christ as the way of salvation. The other, which most commentators prefer, sees it as the sphere in which Christians lived. Thus those "in Christ Jesus" were the people who lived by faith. This makes "in Christ Jesus" parallel with "all the saints." This preferable view still leads one to ask "faith in what or whom," and the answer must have included, but was not limited to, the first view.

and of the love you have for all the saints -

Though Jesus called upon his followers to exercise universal love (Luke 6:27ff) here the special love within the believing community is noted.

1:5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven

"The faith and the love" of the NIV are repeated for clarity, though the expression is not in the Greek. As the NIV renders it, faith and love spring from hope. This is the most likely meaning, though some suggest it was the prayer (v. 3) that sprang from awareness of their hope. Perhaps the ultimate difference in the views is slight. Hope is referred to again in verse 23, as a sustaining foundation. Since Paul's primary concern in this letter was the heresy (2:8-23) he may have been implying that the false teaching robbed them of the hope Jesus gave them, or that it made the achieving of hope more difficult through its requirements. If they had hope as Christians, what more could the heresy offer? Of course uncertainty about the exact nature of the heresy makes this only a conjecture. Though hope has to do with the future, it also influences the present.

"Stored up in heaven" indicates the origin of hope, as well as the sureness of it. It is safe beyond man's meddling and thus assures ultimate glory (1:27; 3:4).

and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel

The hope-giving message, the "word of truth," had been basic to their calling from the beginning (v. 6a), unlike any "johnny-come-lately" philosophy (2:8). "Truth" (ajlhvqeia , alçtheia ) is found both here and in the next verse. The Hebrew sense of the word was "reliability." The Greek sense indicated the true in contrast to the false. Perhaps both ideas are implied here. Truth could be depended upon to give hope, and it dealt the death knell to false teaching (as Paul would go on to show).

1:6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing,

A more appropriate verse division would include the first five words of verse 6 (four words in Greek) with verse 5. The gospel is universal, and powerfully produces fruit and grows. These qualities contrasted with the heresy, and marked the heresy for what it was - something other than the true gospel (assuming the false teaching presented itself as Christian.) It did not bear the appropriate marks.

just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

Though the gospel was preached by men like Epaphras and Paul, the stress was on the power of God's message ("an internal energy," says one author), beyond the realm of human effort. This power resulted in multiplication of converts as well as in transforming lives more and more into the likeness of Christ. Paul prayed for this growth to happen in the experience of the Colossians in verse 10.

"Grace" picks up the greeting of verse 2, and "in truth" restates the language of verse 5.

1:7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

"Learned" (from manqavnw , manthanô ) is not the term Paul normally used for communication or reception of the gospel. Perhaps the term had significance in contrast to the false teaching. Epaphras is mentioned also in 4:12f and Philemon 23 (called a "fellow prisoner for Christ Jesus"). He planted the gospel in Colosse. Paul's reference to him authenticated the message he brought as "the word of truth of the gospel" - again against heresy, and also complimented him generously. The Greek term translated "fellow servant" (sundou'lo" , syndoulos ) is found elsewhere only in 4:7 (of Tychicus). If "our" behalf is read this fits Paul's endorsement of Epaphras. He did his work as Paul's emissary. However, some translators prefer "your" (NIV footnote) and the Greek would allow either reading. "Your" would fit verse 8, which indicates Epaphras was sent from Colosse to Paul with news of the church.

1:8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

This verse testifies to the universality of the love Christians practiced. They had never met Paul, but loved him. This may have been partly because they knew Paul had sent Epaphras their way in the beginning. It may also imply more communication between Paul and this church than the New Testament reveals.

This verse has the only reference to the Spirit in the book (though see 2:5). It speaks to God's working within them to create a loving lifestyle.

II. PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THE COLOSSIANS (1:9-14)

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. ¹⁰ And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you ^a to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, ^b the forgiveness of sins.

^a 12 Some manuscripts us ^b 14 A few late manuscripts redemption through his blood

The prayer, beginning here, is consequent upon what has been said in verses three through eight. There is disagreement over the structure of this section. Some see the prayer as extending through verse 12, but with an exposition of 12 in the next two verses. Others have the prayer ending in verse 11, with verses 12-14 being drawn from a baptismal confession of the church. Verses 12-14, then, would introduce the Christ hymn of verses 15-20. Verses 12-14 certainly seem to be baptismal language, and the importance of baptism is pivotal to Paul's development of the idea of what it meant to be in Christ (2:11f). The way the text is analyzed, however, does not significantly alter the meaning of it.

There are numerous correspondences between this paragraph and the thanksgiving in verses 3 through 8. This follows Paul's usual procedure of praying for what he had noted in his thanksgiving. O'Brien lists the following: "since the day" (vv. 6, 9), "we heard" (vv. 4,9), "knowledge" (vv. 4,9,10), "bearing fruit and increasing" (vv. 6,10), "giving thanks" (vv. 3,12), "the Father" (vv. 3,12), "the saints" (vv. 4, 12), "Spirit/in spirit" (vv. 8,9), "hope/inheritance" (vv. 5,12), and "all" (vv. 4,6, 9,10,11).

1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you

Prayers of intercession can vary in motivation and in content. Paul's special prayers here fit the Colossian situation. They were not just "prayer in general." The motivation/reason of this prayer was stated in verses 3-5. The "day we heard" may indicate particular information about the Colossian church, perhaps even about the intrusion of the heresy. Or it may indicate all the time since the very first report to Paul about the church. In the latter case the verse testifies to the persistence and depth of Paul's concern, even for those he had not met personally.

and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will

Three terms indicate the burden of the prayer. The word for "knowledge" (ejpivgnwsi" , epignôsis ) used here (also in 2:2; 3:10) is not the usual Greek gnw'si" (gnôsis ). The Greek term for "wisdom" (sofiva , sophia ) is also in 1:28; 2:3; 3:16 and 4:5; and that for "understanding" (suvnesi" , synesis ) recurs in 2:2. These three terms were significant against the claims of the heresy, with its "hollow and deceptive philosophies" (2:8).

Paul prayed they would be filled with "knowledge." The filling idea is used often in Colossians (1:19,24,25; 2:2,3,9,10; 4:12,17) and likely confuted any claims by the false teachers to offer fullness. "Knowledge," "wisdom" and "understanding" would lead to proper living (v. 10). The process would be empowered by God (v. 11). But exactly what was this knowledge "of his will"? The basic truths of Christianity were already at their disposal. Likely what was involved was a deeper understanding which would enhance obedience to God (cf. "growing in knowledge" in v. 10), fruit bearing, and the insight to discern how the heresy was destructive of God's work in Christ. Such a prayer is appropriate for all Christians in every age, since none has completely grasped the complete significance of what Christ has done and how men may respond to it.

through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

We are not told how this knowledge would be given. It would involve God's power. It would be spiritual (some see the Spirit's work here). There were many ways God could work to accomplish these ends. They could include interaction, meditation, divinely guided insight, instruction and worship.

1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way:

"And we pray this" is added by the NIV translators for clarity, as is "him" in midverse. To know was to obey, and knowledge was the instrument to obedience, as obedience furthered knowledge. Being Christian builds on itself, through God's power (v. 11). Clearly there is no division here between mental grasp and Christian action. The two work in tandem, strengthening one another.

bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Paul used four participles to carry his petition for their spiritual growth. They are the words translated "bearing," "growing," "being strengthened" (v. 11), and "giving thanks" (v. 12). Because verse 12 continues the participial construction some scholars are reluctant to see a separate baptismal confession beginning at this point (see the discussion preceding v. 9). These four explain the "worthy" and pleasing life. The first two terms described the progress of the gospel in verse 6.

1:11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might

Prayer implies divine action. Paul did not just exhort the Colossians to try harder. He assured them resources would be more than adequate for their needs. Who could doubt that the heresy would be successfully encountered when confronted by God's "glorious might"? "Glorious" (dovxa , doxa ) gives a qualitative dimension that goes beyond force or energy (cf. the term in 1:29). The term kravto" ( kratos ), translated "might," never refers to merely human power in the New Testament.

so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully

"Endurance," "patience" and "joy," when inspired by God's power, would be more than passive qualities. Endurance was the quality that would hold against enemy assaults in battle, or that would persevere in a race (cf. Heb 12:1; Luke 8:15). It would stand against heretical pressure. Patience was a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22; and see Col 3:12). The term basically denoted relations to one's fellow.

NIV connects "joyfully" with "thanksgiving" (v. 12), but others maintain it could modify "endurance" and "patience." The Stoics admired patience, but it was the Christians who combined patience with joy.

1:12 giving thanks to the Father,

Though "giving thanks" is the last of the four participles in verses 10-12 (see discussion at v. 10) the act could be seen as a human response to the divine empowering of verses 10 and 11. Lohse argues that Paul never closed his intercessions with thanks, and thus this was a new beginning. There are parallels in verses 12-14 to baptismal language. Deliverance from death and forgiveness parallel 2:12f (similar concepts are found in 1 Cor 1:30 and 1 Pet 1:3-5). Thus these verses could reflect baptismal language employed in the early church. If so, the brothers were called to reflect on their conversions and the great gratitude generated by what God had done for them. There may be no higher and more powerful motivation for submission to the Lord than gratitude for his grace.

who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints

The "inheritance" (klh'ro" , klçros ) draws from the Old Testament background of Israel's possession of Canaan. The word recurs in 3:24. The "blessing" here is present, but a present with a future. There are two views of "saints," or "holy ones." One holds them to be fellow believers, as in other usages in Colossians as well as in Acts 20:32 and 26:18. The other considers them to be angels, on the basis of parallels at Qumran (cf. Dan 7:18,22). This position argues that such fellowship is set against the heretical "worship of angels" in 2:18. Linguistically and theologically either is possible, though we do not know which Paul had in mind. We consider the former more likely.

in the kingdom of light.

"Kingdom of light" and "dominion of darkness" (v. 13) reflect a theme often employed in Scripture for the contrast of good and evil (see Acts 26:18). It was found both in Hellenistic Judaism and at Qumran.

1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

Paul now includes himself among the "rescued" (contrast "you" in v. 12 with "us" here). "Rescued" and "brought" imply an act of transfer. If this was baptismal language then baptism was that act. God had moved a population from danger to safety, from Satan's dominion to Christ's. "Kingdom" is repeated from verse 12, but here it is not the usual "kingdom of God" but "kingdom of his Son." Paul refers to Christ's present rule, before that time when the kingdom would be delivered up to the Father (1 Cor 15:23-28). "Kingdom of the Son" also prepares for the depiction of Christ to follow in verses 15-20.

1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The transition involved deliverance from sin. The expression "forgiveness of sins," though often in Acts, is in Paul only here and in Ephesians 1:7. The emphasis here may have related to some claim of the heretics to offer forgiveness, though we have no direct evidence on the point.

III. THE HYMN ABOUT CHRIST (1:15-20)

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

These magnificent words form the heart of Paul's presentation of Christ in Colossians, and it is from this base that he attacked the heresy described in chapter 2. Had one known the human Jesus personally, one could hardly have imagined the truths about him expressed here. But when Jesus was raised from the dead, Christian understanding broadened and deepened, as the wonder of God's action became known in increasingly greater glory.

These verses are stylistically different from the first person "confession" which preceded in verses 12-14, and from the direct application style of the following verses (1:21ff). Because of style and language there is general agreement that verses 15-20 were a hymn, though we must recognize the ancient and modern definitions of that term are not identical. Even in English translation one can sense the rhythm and symmetry of these words.

When and where, then, did the hymn originate? Was it in a context outside Christianity, then taken and adapted by Christians? Those holding this view have suggested both Greek and Jewish (Hellenistic and rabbinic) origins, but no scholarly consensus has arisen. Was it originally Christian, drawing on concepts which were in the surrounding world, but were not in hymnic form? In any of these cases, did Paul take available material and rework it for his purposes? If so, and if one could determine the points in the hymn at which Paul edited and revised, that would be helpful in determining the ideas he was combatting. Numerous suggestions have been made regarding any Pauline revisions, but again there is no consensus.

Those convinced that an earlier hymn received Christian adaptation have conjectured how the original might have been structured. By theorizing what additions or changes were made various original strophic arrangements have been suggested. Some of the possible changes can be seen in the following discussion. Whatever its original form, the hymn as it stands first describes Christ and the cosmos (vv. 15-17) and then Christ and the church (vv. 18-20). Parallels can be seen within the two parts of the hymn. For example both parts describe him as "firstborn" (vv. 15,18), and in each case the following clause has the same Greek construction. "Thrones . . . authorities" in verse 16 parallels "things . . . heaven" in verse 20.

A minority of scholars consider the hymn to be entirely Paul's composition. Though perhaps not an insurmountable argument, critics of this view point out that the language of the hymn differs from Paul's other writings both in vocabulary and in form. Pauline authorship could still allow his use of materials and concepts from the surrounding thought world. And if Paul were the author, had he composed this hymn on some other occasion and modified it here, or was it composed just for this letter? And if just for this letter, why did he employ the apparent hymn form? Would he intend that his depiction of Christ in refutation of the heresy would be given greater force by working it into Christian worship? The hymn form would certainly be more memorable. Paul's effective use of the hymn indicates the heretics would also know of it, and that the church would understand the concepts set forth in it.

1:15 He is the image of the invisible God,

These are amazing assertions about one whom the Romans had executed as a troublemaker short decades before. Jesus is first called the image of the invisible God (cf. 2 Cor 4:4). He revealed God's nature and will to man, making the unseen seen, the unknown known, the known revealed with greater clarity. Why was the term "image" (eijkwvn , eikôn ) used? A possible source was the story of the creation of man in God's image (Gen 1:27), with the implication that Jesus was what Adam, because of the fall, failed to be. But elsewhere the hymn uses language associated with the wisdom tradition in Israel. Wisdom 7:25 depicts wisdom, personified, as being the "image" (eikôn ) of God. Proverbs 8:22 speaks of wisdom being with God at the beginning of creation. Some Jewish traditions also associate "in the beginning" of Gen 1:1 with wisdom. So if the image was wisdom, and "firstborn" indicated creation, the idea would be that by wisdom God created. Thus Paul may have borrowed from these ideas to give substance to the word "image" used of Jesus. He revealed God's wisdom, his will, to man. He was also the Creator, thus existed from the beginning. The "image" concept may have drawn its meaning from one of the backgrounds indicated, but this does not exhaust the implications of the language for the reflective believer. Jesus was the one who possessed God's authority among men. He made possible a kind of access to God previously unknown. These words set the Christ in a position from which no heresy dare unseat him.

the firstborn over all creation.

Next Jesus is designated "the firstborn" (prwtovtoko" , prôtotokos ) over all creation. Any suspicion that this would imply Jesus was part of creation is dispelled as the text continues into verse 16, which twice speaks of his creation of "all things," and verse 17 with "he is before all things." Here Paul pictured him as unique beyond the creation. The Old Testament twice (Exod 4:22, Jer 31:9) uses "firstborn" to describe one specially loved by the Father. Here the idea also stresses his supremacy over creation, especially as developed in subsequent verses. Cf. also Heb 1:6 where the word "firstborn" is a Messianic title.

1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;

The meaning of "firstborn" is fleshed out in this and the following verse. The first reference to creation indicates completed action in the past (aorist), while the second reference (perfect) stresses the continuance of the creation's existence. "By him" is literally "in him," and some translations so render the Greek. Some see Christ as the instrument of creation, as in John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; and on the basis of the Jewish wisdom tradition. Others see "in him" as the location or sphere of creation, as in Ephesians 1:4. Some argue both meanings may have been intended. How nuanced did Paul intend to be in his use of prepositions?

"All things" are defined by the rest of the verse. Since all have one creator, all that exists has a unity. It was cosmos, not chaos. Things in heaven, on earth, visible and invisible, include thrones, powers, rulers and authorities. In Jewish thought thrones and power often indicated angelic hosts (2 Enoch 20:1; Test Levi 3:8). Rulers and authorities are referred to in Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:21 and 6:12. These are generally held to be spiritual powers as well. The New Testament, however, does not give enough data to depict a hierarchy of such powers. Whether good or evil, all were his creations. Paul does not discuss the problem of God creating evil powers. It is usual to affirm God made them free and they chose evil. Scholars differ regarding whether any moral implications regarding the "thrones," etc., are even intended here. Quite likely there was reference here to some aspect of the heresy, so that the supremacy of Christ over any role given to any of them is clear.

all things were created by him and for him.

The absoluteness of the creative power is enforced by the twofold repetition of "all things." The verse ends by repeating the creative refrain, but now as "by him and for him." Here different prepositions were used from the opening statement of the verse. "By (through) him" clearly shows him as the creative agent. He was both originator and goal (further stressed in v. 17) of all creation. Any movement in history in any other direction was in the wrong direction. So was any system that sought to move beyond or escape history.

1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

"Before" introduces a fourth Greek pronoun (prov , pro ), with "by" (ejn , en ), "by" (dia , dia ), and "for" (eij" , eis , "into/unto") of verse 16. "Before" probably picks up the sense of "firstborn" of verse 15. The prevailing idea seems to indicate his priority over all things. "Hold together" (sunivsthmi , synistçmi ) is implied by his creative activity. Jesus is the "glue" of all that exists. The Greek term means to continue or endure. Without him there would be chaos, dissolution, disintegration (cf. a similar role for wisdom in Wisd Sol 1:4; 7:24). Consider how this concept would impact any teaching which minimized the significance and role of Christ. Note how later exhortation constantly refers back to Christ (3:10,13,15,16,17,18,24).

1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church;

We have already noted scholarly disagreement over the division of this hymn into sections. One view considers 15f as describing the creative Christ, and 17-18a as depicting him as Lord of the universe and head of the church. Then the rest of the passage stresses his role as reconciler. Other discussion has centered on "the church." It has been argued that "body" (sw'ma , sôma ) in Hellenistic thought could refer to the cosmos. Thus, the position states, the hymn originally continued its cosmic significance through the term "body," and the reference to "beginning and firstborn," parallel to verse 15, begins the second section of the hymn. Paul, on this view, added "the church," thus giving a different meaning to "body," and changing the thrust of verse 17. Of course all these theories are only conjectural. An objection to this view is that Paul never used "body" in the Hellenistic sense. On the other hand it would be a powerful statement of the importance of the church for a term which had indicated the cosmos to now indicate Christ's followers.

It can be asked why Paul chose the body image to describe the church. It may come from the Old Testament concept of the unity of the people of God, "corporate personality," in which the entire community was seen as a single entity and suffered or was blessed because of the actions of one part (cf. Achan in Josh 7), usually a leader. It is possible the idea became significant when the Lord told Paul on the Damascus road that to persecute Jesus' people was to persecute Jesus himself (Acts 9:5).

The body image was also used by Paul in Romans 12:4f; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Ephesians 4:15f, 5:23, and later in Colossians 2:9 and 3:15. It stresses the organic connection of Christ and his people, beyond the connection already implied by creation and sustaining power. It indicates the special place of the church to the Creator of the cosmos. "Thrones . . . authorities" are not called his body. As Bruce observes, we think of the head as vitalizing and energizing the church and using it as the instrument for his work on earth. As the church preached Christ, his Lordship over the cosmos was forthtold as well. The high significance thus given the church may have been to counter an individualistic tendency in the "heresy."

he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead,

"Beginning" (archv , archç ) and "firstborn" here refer to the "creation" of the church through Christ's resurrection. Since he was firstborn he made it possible for others to be "born from the dead." "Firstborn" may mean he was the first victor over death, but it may indicate his authority (as it did in v. 15) over death as it was over all creation. He produced and ruled both the old and the new creation. The "and" between "beginning" and "firstborn" is not in the Greek, so that "firstborn" modifies "beginning" rather than being a separate description.

so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

"Everything" catches the universal language ("all" in 15, 16 twice, 17 twice, 19 and 20) found throughout this paragraph. "Supremacy" (the verb prwteuvw , prôteuô , "to be first") underlines the point already made. The following two verses will give further substance to Christ's relation to his body.

1:19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

"God" is not found in the Greek, so the verse could be translated with "fullness" (plhvrwma , plçrôma ) as the subject ("all fullness was pleased to dwell in him"), or a subject could be supplied, which would be "God." In context both translations say the same thing about Christ (cf. 2:9). The reference to "fullness" may be aimed at some claim of the heresy, perhaps that some (intermediate between God and man) beings other than Christ possessed God's fullness. Though the concept has depths we cannot fathom, here it should probably be understood as indicating the role of Christ described in this paragraph. In him God's attributes and activities, directed toward reconciliation, were found. Nothing necessary for that to occur was missing. And if the fullness was in Christ, why accept any system of thought ("philosophy" - 2:8) that indicated otherwise?

1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,

When the central theme of salvation and reconciliation is at last broached, it comes with the greatest of all introductions, set into a background of absolute power and majesty (vv. 15-19). It is in reconciliation that human concerns touch divine action. But Paul's view of reconciliation was broader than peace between man and God. It sweeps through earth and heaven and encompasses all of reality. Some maintain that the heresy posited an inherent conflict between God and the creation. Paul denied it. He saw all discord in humanity and nature resolved through Christ. The chaos brought on by the fall was overcome. What had gone wrong God then made right. Enmity was replaced by love.

All this was made possible but was actualized only in part - primarily in the redeemed community. The powers still had their day and could oppose God. But they were not sovereign. Implied here is a safety in Christ from such forces. Whether the powers, human or transhuman, that continue to resist God would one day be compelled to submission is a topic Paul does not address here. But the picture painted of Christ leaves no doubt as to what this outcome would be.

by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

If ever there was a shocking contrast, the last of this verse affords it. Having been carried to cosmic heights and having contemplated the very originating and sustaining power of the universe, we are now transported to the dismal scene of crucifixion and shed blood. Yet that was how God, the "master of surprises," had made reconciliation possible (cf. Phil 2:5-11). Could this scene of victory through humiliation have any application to heretical pride?

IV. THE HYMN APPLIED (1:21-23)

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of ^a your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation - ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

^a 21 Or minds as shown by

The style of writing changes abruptly here as Paul applies the truths he has just depicted to his readers. One author has called it a homiletic adaptation of the hymn. (Of what use is theology if it does not impact human existence?) The NIV supplies "from God." The theme of reconciliation, resumed from verse 20, is first discussed from the negative side (alienation). In his extensive depiction of their status in Christ here and in 2:9-15 Paul indicates the utter folly of turning from Christ. Verse 23 is an exhortation to insure it would not happen. The point is reinforced by the "once" and "now" of verses 21 and 22.

1:21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

The language here applies, in a sense, to all men. But in this letter the application was primarily to Gentiles (cf. 3:7) who had never been in covenant with God. Now the alienation implied in verse 20 is made specific. It consisted of thoughts and deeds (behavior). On "minds" (diavnoia , dianoia ) cf. Ephesians 2:3 and 4:18. This was the way of the "dominion of darkness" (v. 13). The reference to their evil prepares us for the next verse, and for the paranetic materials in chapters 3 and 4.

"From God," not in the Greek, is added in the NIV for clarity.

1:22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death

The first half of this verse repeats the thought of verse 20. The last half echoes the prayer of 1:10. "Reconciled" is picked up from verse 20, and "all things" of that verse is drawn into narrower focus on the Colossians. The reference to Christ's physical body distinguishes it from the church as his body. Man, God's enemy, could not heal the rupture with his Creator. No effort, no matter how great, would avail. Only Christ's death could abolish the hostility.

to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation -

The goal in practice was holiness, freedom from blemish and freedom from accusation. Some consider this language to be drawn from sacrificial terminology, though the fit is not exact. Others consider it judicial, as if one were presented blameless in court. The blessed consequence was the same, whether Paul had in mind one or neither of these images.

When was the presenting to be done? At the second coming? Certainly that. But a person is also so presented in this life, through the reconciling blood. There could be no such presentation at the second coming if the reality were not operating in the present. Verse 23 speaks of continuing in the faith. This would be done, in part, by maintaining the proper conduct.

"Holy" (a{gioi , hagioi ) basically means "set apart" and is the same word as "saints" (1:4). The context here, however, seems also to imply the meaning of holiness which indicates purity of life - the usual meaning given today.

1:23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.

Christ's death was the divine act, but the resultant holiness and life quality was both a divine gift and a human responsibility. The NIV translates "your" faith, indicating personal faith. Other translations, in accord with the Greek, translate "the faith," which could mean the Christian teaching handed down. The result in life is the same in either case. On faith and hope see 1:5. "Established" (from qemeliovw , themeliôo ) and "firm" (eJdrai'oi , hedraioi ) use building imagery and employ the same terminology used in describing building on the rock in Matthew 7:24f. See also Ephesians 2:20. "Hope" prepares us for 1:27, and implies that movement to a heretical position could destroy that hope.

This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,

The NIV also adds "This is the gospel," repeating for clearer sentence structure. "Every creature under heaven" is obviously not to be taken literally. Paul's point was that the message they accepted was the same one offered wherever Christianity had gone. This was no doubt to counter the local nature of the false teaching. The concept fits the theme of Christ as Creator and sustainer of all things in 1:15-20. If Christ rules all creatures, then all should heed the message of their Sovereign. And if "all things" are reconciled through Christ, then he must be proclaimed everywhere for that program to be realized.

and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

"I, Paul" indicates that Timothy's name in 1:1 is not to be understood in the sense of authorship. Paul, in calling himself a servant, put himself on the same footing as Epaphras (1:7) and Tychicus (4:7).

V. PAUL'S MINISTRY TO THE CHURCHES AND TO THE COLOSSIANS (1:24-2:5)

A. PAUL'S LABORS IN GOD'S POWER (1:24-29)

²⁴ Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. ²⁵ I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness - ²⁶ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Paul called himself a servant in verse 23, and he enlarges on that in the following verses. He stresses God as the source of his message and as the one who commissioned him. In describing his work he employs a number of terms that doubtless characterized the heresy, but he relates the terms to Christ. His ultimate purpose was to keep his readers from being deceived and led away from Christ (2:4,8).

1:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

This verse has been one of the most puzzling in Colossians because it speaks of filling what was lacking of Christ's afflictions. Bypassing that for the moment, Paul paralleled his fleshly suffering with Christ's (v. 22). Jesus died for the Colossians, and Paul suffered for them. This lent urgency to his ministry and to his appeal that they not be drawn away from Christ. For Paul the discomfort of suffering was transcended by the joy of bringing men reconciliation with God. From the first Paul knew he would suffer (Acts 9:16), and it was a continual feature of his ministry (cf. 1 Cor 4:9-13; 2 Cor 11:23-33; Gal 6:17).

Paul suffered for the Colossians (and for the Laodiceans, 2:1f). We are not told how this was done. Was it some special suffering just related to them? More probably he meant that all his suffering for the church was for them as well as for anyone else. Could suffering include inner agony experienced because of the threat to the church? Verses 26-29 may indicate it was related to preaching to the Gentiles.

As indicated above, the interpretive puzzle here centers in the statements "fill up" (ajntanaplhrw' , antanaplçrô ) and "lacking" (uJstevrhma , hysterçma ) in regard to Christ's afflictions. O'Brien gives an admirable summary and critique of the various interpretations:

1) Paul filled a lack in the vicarious sufferings of Christ. But this would deny the all-sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, which the New Testament strongly affirms.

2) Paul suffered "for the sake of Christ." This was true but it leaves "fill up" and "lacking" unexplained.

3) The same objection applies to the view that Paul's sufferings resembled those of Christ.

4) Paul suffered Christ's afflictions because he was in a mystical fellowship with Christ, and this would in some way benefit the church. Besides the problem of establishing a "mystical fellowship" from Paul's writings, this position also fails to adequately explain "fill up" and "lacking." Yet without going to mystical extremes, there could be a sense in which Christian suffering would "complete" the suffering of Christ.

5) Paul was employing apocalyptic language. Verse 26, and 2:2,3 employ language that has an apocalyptic sound. Building on Daniel 12:1, Jewish literature pictured the end time as being accompanied or preceded by suffering and catastrophe, which would afflict even the faithful. Those assuming that Christianity was influenced by this perspective pull into its orbit such texts about suffering as Acts 14:22 (which uses the Greek term translated "affliction" here), Mark 13:19-24 (and parallels), 1 Thessalonians 3:3,7, and Romans 8:17f, 38f. It is also held that God would limit these end time afflictions (the amount of suffering was predetermined), which would be related to the "filling up" of the present text. Thus Paul would be helping complete the Messianic woes to precede the end.

Paul has no doubt employed language familiar in apocalyptic writing. Exegesis of the passages cited, however, could challenge the use to which this position puts them. Were these passages truly apocalyptic? And what were the Christian views of the end time? In one sense it had already come (1:13f; 3:3) though there was still the Second Coming (3:4). O'Brien objects, too, to the concept of a predetermined amount of suffering.

Beyond these theories, we believe Paul was primarily concerned that the Colossians be encouraged and understand Christ, God's mystery (2:2). To accomplish this he had suffered. He may be saying that the task of proclaiming the gospel would frequently (perhaps not inevitably) involve affliction. No matter. The greater work was being done (cf. Rom 8:18). The task, thus the affliction, would go on to the end. Without preaching, the death of Christ would not have been known to unsaved humanity. Perhaps in spreading the message Christ's afflictions would be filled in that their meaning would be made known. As the preachers were afflicted, so would Christ be (Acts 9:4). It has been suggested that the particular affliction to which Paul referred here was reaction by Jews to his preaching to Gentiles, and verses 26-29 would support this. This statement of dedication, resultant from God's commission (v. 25) gave a personal dimension (in addition to the doctrinal) to Paul's case against the false teaching at Colosse.

1:25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness -

The word translated "commission" (oijkonomiva , oikonomia ), often used in tandem with "mystery," was probably Paul's call by God to preach, especially to the Gentiles. The commission gave him insight into the mystery, and involved him as a "servant." Presenting the Word of God in "fullness" roughly parallels the language of Romans 15:19 (in both cases Paul uses the verb "fill up" [plhrovw , plçroô ]) and seems to imply the complete message that was preached to the entire world, particularly to Gentiles. The fullness of preaching led to the fullness of life in Christ (cf. 1:9; 2:10).

1:26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.

The word of God was the "mystery" (musthvrion , mystçrion ). If the mystery (acceptance of Gentiles) had not been preached, then the word of God would not have been proclaimed in fullness (v. 25). "Mystery" is used by Paul three times as often as in all the rest of the New Testament. It was a term, known in the Semitic world, which indicated something hidden and unknown. God would make it known in his time. So Paul asserts God had done just that, and the reality hidden so long was the acceptance of Gentiles into his community in equal standing with Jews. Not only was the mystery revealed, it was to be among the nations (v. 27) since it affected them directly. But it was grasped by the saints, the believers, since they had responded to its offer of deliverance from the "dominion of darkness" (1:13). Other references to the mystery are found in Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:9; 3:3,4,9; 6:19; and Colossians 2:2; 4:3. Use of the term here may have been to give it its Christian meaning, contrary to any meaning the heresy may have accorded to it.

1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery,

The veil is lifted, and the identity of the mystery appears - gloriously (cf. 2:2f; Eph 1:7,18; 3:8,16)! God's choice had led to Paul's commission (v. 24). The Old Testament does indicate that God's plan was ultimately for all men (Gen 12:3; Isa 49:6), but the manner and time of it were not in the way it was anticipated by the Jews. Thus we witness the early struggles in the church regarding Gentiles becoming Jews before they could become Christians (Acts 15; Galatians).

which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

"Christ in you" could refer to the fact Christ was preached to Gentiles, or, less likely in this context, to the indwelling Christ in the life of each Christian. If parallel to "among the Gentiles" it would mean "among" you. On hope cf. 1:5,22. Paul refers to the "glory" in 3:4. It will come when Christ appears, and we see the magnificent culmination of the believer's pilgrimage.

1:28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

This further description of the Christian ministry seems expressed in particular opposition to the false teaching. "Wisdom" (sofiva , sophia ) and "perfect" (tevleio" , teleios ) may both be terms which the heretics connected with their philosophy. Paul connects them with Christ. If the false teachers promulgated a view for the "spiritually elite," Paul's threefold use of the expression "all men" (in the Greek; NIV "everyone") combatted that by indicating the universality of Christ's offer of salvation.

Paul's proclamation includes admonition (lit. "putting in mind") and teaching. The same two terms occur in 3:16. Wisdom here is practical, referring to the manner of preaching. Cf. another practical application in 4:5. Paul's wisdom in preaching can be verified from 1 Corinthians 9:23ff, and from his delicate treatment of the matter of Onesimus in Philemon. His goal was to present everyone perfect in Christ, similar to the statement of verse 22. Here the Second Coming seems to be the occasion meant.

1:29 To this end I labor,

In verse 28 the first person plural was used as Paul included his associates, but here he speaks of his personal activity. As he suffered for the Colossians (v. 24), now he labors. In the next verse he relates his efforts specifically to the Colossians. Though Paul was a prisoner this did not diminish the fire within him to do God's work. Later he asked the Colossians to pray for an opportunity for him to preach (4:2-4).

struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Two strong impressions arise from this verse. The first is Paul's intensity, reflected in the words "labor" (kopiavw , kopiaô ) and "struggling" (from ajgwnivzomai , agônizomai ). The first indicates severe labor (cf. 1 Cor 4:12; 15:10; Phil 2:16). The latter is an intensive form of the Greek term from which our "agony" comes. But beyond this depiction of extreme effort is grace. God's power was at work within Paul. Twice in the Greek he used the term ejnergeiva ( energeia ) from which "energy" is derived, and once he used duvnami" ( dynamis , root of dynamic, dynamite, etc.). On this power see 1:11; 2:12 and cf. Ephesians 1:19; 3:7,16,20; and 6:10. Divine empowering made possible Paul's great devotion to his mission. Work and grace go hand in hand.

-College Press New Testament Commentary: with the NIV

Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Colossians (Book Introduction)

The Epistle to the Colossians

From Rome a.d. 63

By Way of Introduction

Genuineness

The author claims to be Paul (Col_1:1) and there is no real doubt about it in spite of Baur’s denial of the Pauline authorship which did not suit his Tendenz theory of the New Testament books. There is every mark of Paul’s style and power in the little Epistle and there is no evidence that any one else took Paul’s name to palm off this striking and vigorous polemic.

The Date

Clearly it was sent at the same time with the Epistle to Philemon and the one to the Ephesians since Tychicus the bearer of the letter to Ephesus (Eph_6:21.) and the one to Colossae (Col_4:7.) was a companion of Onesimus (Col_4:9) the bearer of that to Philemon (Phm_1:10-12). If Paul is a prisoner (Col_4:3; Eph_6:20; Phm_1:9) in Rome, as most scholars hold, and not in Ephesus as Deissmann and Duncan argue, the probable date would be a.d. 63. I still believe that Paul is in Rome when he sends out these epistles. If so, the time would be after the arrival in Rome from Jerusalem as told in Acts 28 and before the burning of Rome by Nero in a.d. 64. If Philippians was already sent, a.d. 63 marks the last probable year for the writing of this group of letters.

The Occasion

The Epistle itself gives it as being due to the arrival of Epaphras from Colossae (Col_1:7-9; Col_4:12.). He is probably one of Paul’s converts while in Ephesus who in behalf of Paul (Col_1:7) evangelized the Lycus Valley (Colossae, Hierapolis, Laodicea) where Paul had never been himself (Col_2:1; Col_4:13-16). Since Paul’s departure for Rome, the " grievous wolves" whom he foresaw in Miletus (Act_20:29.) had descended upon these churches and were playing havoc with many and leading them astray much as new cults today mislead the unwary. These men were later called Gnostics (see Ignatius) and had a subtle appeal that was not easy to withstand. The air was full of the mystery cults like the Eleusinian mysteries, Mithraism, the vogue of Isis, what not. These new teachers professed new thought with a world-view that sought to explain everything on the assumption that matter was essentially evil and that the good God could only touch evil matter by means of a series of aeons or emanations so far removed from him as to prevent contamination by God and yet with enough power to create evil matter. This jejune theory satisfied many just as today some are content to deny the existence of sin, disease, death in spite of the evidence of the senses to the contrary. In his perplexity Epaphras journeyed all the way to Rome to obtain Paul’s help.

Purpose of the Epistle

Epaphras did not come in vain, for Paul was tremendously stirred by the peril to Christianity from the Gnostics ( hoi gnōstikoi , the knowing ones). He had won his fight for freedom in Christ against the Judaizers who tried to fasten Jewish sacramentarianism upon spiritual Christianity. Now there is an equal danger of the dissipation of vital Christianity in philosophic speculation. In particular, the peril was keen concerning the Person of Christ when the Gnostics embraced Christianity and applied their theory of the universe to him. They split into factions on the subject of Christ. The Docetic (from dokeō , to seem) Gnostics held that Jesus did not have a real human body, but only a phantom body. He was, in fact, an aeon and had no real humanity. The Cerinthian (followers of Cerinthus) Gnostics admitted the humanity of the man Jesus, but claimed that the Christ was an aeon that came on Jesus at his baptism in the form of a dove and left him on the Cross so that only the man Jesus died. At once this heresy sharpened the issue concerning the Person of Christ already set forth in Phi_2:5-11. Paul met the issue squarely and powerfully portrayed his full-length portrait of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Son of Man (both deity and humanity) in opposition to both types of Gnostics. So then Colossians seems written expressly for our own day when so many are trying to rob Jesus Christ of his deity. The Gnostics took varying views of moral issues also as men do now. There were the ascetics with rigorous rules and the licentious element that let down all the bars for the flesh while the spirit communed with God. One cannot understand Colossians without some knowledge of Gnosticism such as may be obtained in such books as Angus’s The Mystery-Religions and Christianity , Glover’s The Conflict of Religion in the Early Roman Empire , Kennedy’s St. Paul and the Mystery-Religions , Lightfoot’s Commentary on Colossians .

JFB: Colossians (Book Introduction)

The GENUINENESS of this Epistle is attested by JUSTIN MARTYR [Dialogue with Trypho, p. 311, B.], who quotes "the first-born of every creature," in reference to Christ, from Col 1:15. THEOPHILUS OF ANTIOCH [To Autolychus, 2, p. 100]. IRENÆUS [Against Heresies, 3.14.1], quotes expressly from this "Epistle to the Colossians" (Col 4:14). CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA [Miscellanies, 1. p. 325], quotes Col 1:28; also elsewhere he quotes Col 1:9-11, Col 1:28; Col 2:2, &c.; Col 2:8; Col 3:12, Col 3:14; Col 4:2-3, &c. TERTULLIAN [The Prescription against Heretics, 7], quotes Col 2:8; [On the Resurrection of the Flesh, 23], and quotes Col 2:12, Col 2:20; Col 3:1-2. ORIGEN [Against Celsus, 5.8], quotes Col 2:18-19.

Colosse (or, as it is spelt in the best manuscripts, "Colassæ") was a city of Phrygia, on the river Lycus, a branch of the Meander. The Church there was mainly composed of Gentiles (compare Col 2:13). ALFORD infers from Col 2:1 (see on Col 2:1), that Paul had not seen its members, and therefore could not have been its founder, as THEODORET thought. Col 1:7-8 suggests the probability that Epaphras was the first founder of the Church there. The date of its foundation must have been subsequent to Paul's visitation, "strengthening in order" all the churches of Galatia and Phrygia (Act 18:24); for otherwise we must have visited the Colossians, which Col 2:1 implies he had not. Had Paul been their father in the faith, he would doubtless have alluded to the fact, as in 1Co 3:6, 1Co 3:10; 1Co 4:15; 1Th 1:5; 1Th 2:1. It is only in the Epistles, Romans and Ephesians, and this Epistle, such allusions are wanting; in that to the Romans, because, as in this Church of Colosse, he had not been the instrument of their conversion; in that to the Ephesians, owing to the general nature of the Epistle. Probably during the "two years" of Paul's stay at Ephesus, when "all which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus" (Act 19:10, Act 19:26), Epaphras, Philemon, Archippus, Apphia and the other natives of Colosse, becoming converted at Ephesus, were subsequently the first sowers of the Gospel seed in their own city. This will account for their personal acquaintance with, and attachment to, Paul and his fellow ministers, and for his loving language as to them, and their counter salutations to him. So also with respect to "them at Laodicea," (Col 2:1).

The OBJECT of the Epistle is to counteract Jewish false teaching, by setting before the Colossians their true standing in Christ alone (exclusive of all other heavenly beings), the majesty of His person, and the completeness of the redemption wrought by Him; hence they ought to be conformed to their risen Lord, and to exhibit that conformity in all the relations of ordinary life Col 2:16, "new moon, sabbath days," shows that the false teaching opposed in this Epistle is that of Judaizing Christians. These mixed up with pure Christianity Oriental theosophy and angel-worship, and the asceticism of certain sections of the Jews, especially the Essenes. Compare JOSEPHUS [Wars of the Jews, 2.8,13]. These theosophists promised to their followers a deeper insight into the world of spirits, and a nearer approach to heavenly purity and intelligence, than the simple Gospel affords. CONYBEARE and HOWSON think that some Alexandrian Jew had appeared at Colosse, imbued with the Greek philosophy of PHILO'S school, combining with it the Rabbinical theosophy and angelology which afterwards was embodied in the Cabbala. Compare JOSEPHUS [Antiquities, 12.3,4], from which we know that Alexander the Great had garrisoned the towns of Lydia and Phrygia with two thousand Mesopotamian and Babylonian Jews in the time of a threatened revolt. The Phrygians themselves had a mystic tendency in their worship of Cybele, which inclined them to receive the more readily the incipient Gnosticism of Judaizers, which afterward developed itself into the strangest heresies. In the Pastoral Epistles, the evil is spoken of as having reached a more deadly phase (1Ti 4:1-3; 1Ti 6:5), whereas he brings no charge of immorality in this Epistle: a proof of its being much earlier in date.

The PLACE from which it was written seems to have been Rome, during his first imprisonment there (Act 28:17-31). In my Introduction to the Epistle to the Ephesians, it was shown that the three Epistles, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, were sent at the same time, namely, during the freer portion of his imprisonment, before the death of Burrus. Col 4:3-4; Eph 6:19-20, imply greater freedom than he had while writing to the Philippians, after the promotion of Tigellinus to be Prætorian Prefect. See Introduction to Philippians.

This Epistle, though carried by the same bearer, Tychicus, who bore that to the Ephesians, was written previously to that Epistle; for many phrases similar in both appear in the more expanded form in the Epistle to the Ephesians (compare also Note, see on Eph 6:21). The Epistle to the Laodiceans (Col 4:16) was written before that to the Colossians, but probably was sent by him to Laodicea at the same time with that to the Church at Colosse.

The STYLE is peculiar: many Greek phrases occur here, found nowhere else. Compare Col 2:8, "spoil you"; "making a show of them openly" (Col 2:15); "beguile of your reward," and "intruding" (Col 2:18); "will-worship"; "satisfying" (Col 2:23); "filthy communication" (Col 3:8); "rule" (Col 3:15); "comfort" (Col 4:11). The loftiness and artificial elaboration of style correspond to the majestic nature of his theme, the majesty of Christ's person and office, in contrast to the beggarly system of the Judaizers, the discussion of which was forced on him by the controversy. Hence arises his use of unusual phraseology. On the other hand, in the Epistle of the Ephesians, subsequently written, in which he was not so hampered by the exigencies of controversy, he dilates on the same glorious truths, so congenial to him, more at large, freely and uncontroversially, in the fuller outpouring of his spirit, with less of the elaborate and antithetical language of system, such as was needed in cautioning the Colossians against the particular errors threatening them. Hence arises the striking similarity of many of the phrases in the two Epistles written about the same time, and generally in the same vein of spiritual thought; while the peculiar phrases of the Epistle to the Colossians are such as are natural, considering the controversial purpose of that Epistle.

JFB: Colossians (Outline)

• ADDRESS: INTRODUCTION: CONFIRMING EPAPHRAS' TEACHING: THE GLORIES OF CHRIST: THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER FOR THE COLOSSIANS: HIS OWN MINISTRY OF THE MYSTERY. (Col. 1:1-29)
• HIS STRIVINGS IN PRAYER FOR THEIR STEADFASTNESS IN CHRIST; FROM WHOM HE WARNS THEM NOT TO BE LED AWAY BY FALSE WISDOM. (Col. 2:1-23)
• EXHORTATIONS TO HEAVENLY AIMS, AS OPPOSED TO EARTHLY, ON THE GROUND OF UNION TO THE RISEN SAVIOUR; TO MORTIFY AND PUT OFF THE OLD MAN, AND TO PUT ON THE NEW; IN CHARITY, HUMILITY, WORDS OF EDIFICATION, THANKFULNESS; RELATIVE DUTIES. (Col. 3:1-25)
• EXHORTATIONS CONTINUED. TO PRAYER: WISDOM IN RELATION TO THE UNCONVERTED: AS TO THE BEARERS OF THE EPISTLE, TYCHICUS AND ONESIMUS: CLOSING SALUTATIONS. (Col. 4:1-18)

TSK: Colossians (Book Introduction)

Colosse was a large and populous city of Phrygia Pacatiana, in Asia Minor, seated on an eminence to the south of the river Meander. It is supposed to have occupied a site now covered with ruins, near the village of Konous or Khonas, and about twenty miles nw of Degnizlu. By whom, or at what time, the church at Colosse was founded is wholly uncertain; but it would appear from the apostle’s declaration, Col 2:1, that he was not the honoured instrument. It appears from the tenor of this epistle to have been, upon the whole, in a very flourishing state; but some difficulties having arisen among them, they sent Epaphras to Rome, where the apostle was now imprisoned (Col 4:3) to acquaint him with the state of their affairs. It is remarkable for a peculiar pathos and ardour, which is generally ascribed to the extraordinary divine consolations enjoyed by the apostle during his sufferings for the sake of Christ. Whoever, says Michaelis, would understand the Epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians, must read them together. The one is in most places a commentary on the other; the meaning of single passages in one epistle, which, if considered alone, might be variously interpreted, being determined by the parallel passages in the other epistle.

TSK: Colossians 1 (Chapter Introduction)

Overview

Col 1:1, After salutation Paul thanks God for their faith; Col 1:7, confirms the doctrine of Epaphras; Col 1:9, prays further for their increase in grace; Col 1:14, describes the true Christ; Col 1:21, encourages them to receive Jesus Christ, and commends his own ministry.

Poole: Colossians 1 (Chapter Introduction)

ARGUMENT

God having a church planted in the city of Colosse, (by some since called Chone), situated at the conflux of the rivers Meander and Lycus, in the neighbourhood of Laodicea and Hierapolis, Col 4:13 , in Phrygia of the lesser Asia; whether at first only by the preaching of Epaphras, one of them who was a servant of Christ, and faithful minister, Col 1:7 4:12 ; or by Paul himself, who (we learn from Luke that accompanied him) had gone throughout Phrygia, Act 16:6 , and again, over all the country of Phrygia in order, Act 18:23 , having staid for a season in Asia, where he wrought miracles, and was complained of for turning away much people from idolatry almost throughout all Asia, Act 19:11,22,26 ; we may leave undetermined. But whoever was God’ s prime instrument in planting the gospel here, upon Paul’ s being advertised by Epaphras, Col 1:8 Col 4:12 Phm 1:23that weeds sprang up to choke the good seed; as he was careful for the Philippians during his imprisonment, so for the Colossians, that they might not be perverted by those Judaizing false teachers who mingled Moses with Christ, stickling for the necessity of abrogated ceremonies to salvation, Col 2:4,8 , &c., varnishing their doctrines with notions of vain or abused philosophy, did seek to introduce a superstitious worship grounded on human traditions, Col 2:8,18 , &c.; but, reposing all their hope of salvation in Christ alone, persevere in that doctrine they had received according to his mind, and in the practice of real holiness with heavenly affections, both personally and relatively in heart and life, craving help of God; unto whom, having blessed God for the grace wrought in them, he doth recommend them in his own and brethren’ s salutations, contracting as it were the matter he had more fully written to the Ephesians, that Epistle and this, as the Evangelists, explaining each other.

COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 1

Col 1:1,2 After saluting the saints at Colosse,

Col 1:3-8 Paul testifieth his thankfulness to God for the good

account he had heard of their faith and love,

Col 1:9-14 and his continual prayers for their improvement in

spiritual knowledge, right practice, and thanksgiving

to God for the benefits of redemption by his Son.

Col 1:15-20 He showeth them the exalted nature and mediatorial

office of Christ,

Col 1:21,22 by whom they, who were once enemies, were now

reconciled, if they continued true to the gospel,

Col 1:23-29 whereof he Paul was made a minister to preach to the

Gentiles.

Paul he who of a persecutor was become a preacher, and that amongst the Gentiles laid aside his Hebrew name Saul and made use of this, which was more familiar amongst the Gentiles, viz. Paul, Act 13:2,3,9 .

An apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God one of those extraordinary persons immediately deputed by the special command of our Lord himself, with sovereign authority to preach the gospel, and establish his church, which is the highest charge God ever gave to men, Mat 10:2 Luk 6:13 1Co 12:28 Gal 1:12 : See Poole on "Eph 1:1" . See Poole on "Eph 4:11" .

And Timotheus our brother he joins Timothy, as elsewhere Sosthenes, 1Co 1:1 , by the title of

brother as being of the same faith, labouring in one and the same work, which might be more for their satisfaction.

MHCC: Colossians (Book Introduction)

This epistle was sent because of some difficulties which arose among the Colossians, probably from false teachers, in consequence of which they sent to the apostle. The scope of the epistle is to show, that all hope of man's redemption is founded on Christ, in whom alone are all complete fulness, perfections, and sufficiency. The Colossians are cautioned against the devices of judaizing teachers, and also against the notions of carnal wisdom, and human inventions and traditions, as not consistent with full reliance on Christ. In the first two chapters the apostle tells them what they must believe, and in the two last what they must do; the doctrine of faith, and the precepts of life for salvation.

MHCC: Colossians 1 (Chapter Introduction)

(Col 1:1-8) The apostle Paul salutes the Colossians, and blesses God for their faith, love, and hope.

(Col 1:9-14) Prays for their fruitfulness in spiritual knowledge.

(Col 1:15-23) Gives a glorious view of Christ.

(Col 1:24-29) And sets out his own character, as the apostle of the Gentiles.

Matthew Henry: Colossians (Book Introduction)

An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians

Colosse was a considerable city of Phrygia, and probably not far from Laodicea and Hierapolis; we find these mentioned together, Col 4:13. It is now buried in ruins, and the memory of it chiefly preserved in this epistle. The design of the epistle is to warn them of the danger of the Jewish zealots, who pressed the necessity of observing the ceremonial law; and to fortify them against the mixture of the Gentile philosophy with their Christian principles. He professes a great satisfaction in their stedfastness and constancy, and encourages them to perseverance. It was written about the same time with the epistles to the Ephesians and Philippians, a.d. 62, and in the same place, while he was now a prisoner at Rome. He was not idle in his confinement, and the word of God was not bound.

This epistle, like that to the Romans, was written to those he had never seen, nor had any personal acquaintance with. The church planted at Colosse was not by Paul's ministry, but by the ministry of Epaphras or Epaphroditus, an evangelist, one whom he delegated to preach the gospel among the Gentiles; and yet, I. There was a flourishing church at Colosse, and one which was eminent and famous among the churches. One would have thought none would have come to be flourishing churches but those which Paul himself had planted; but here was a flourishing church planted by Epaphras. God is sometimes pleased to make use of the ministry of those who are of less note, and lower gifts, for doing great service to his church. God uses what hands he pleases, and is not tied to those of note, that the excellence of the power may appear to be of God and not of men, 2Co 4:7. II. Though Paul had not the planting of this church, yet he did not therefore neglect it; nor, in writing his epistles, does he make any difference between that and other churches. The Colossians, who were converted by the ministry of Epaphras, were as dear to him, and he was as much concerned for their welfare, as the Philippians, or any others who were converted by his ministry. Thus he put an honour upon an inferior minister, and teaches us not to be selfish, nor think all that honour lost which goes beside ourselves. We learn, in his example, not to think it a disparagement to us to water what others have planted, or build upon the foundation which others have laid: as he himself, as a wise master-builder, laid the foundation, and another built thereon, 1Co 3:10.

Matthew Henry: Colossians 1 (Chapter Introduction)

We have here, I. The inscription, as usual (Col 1:1, Col 1:2). II. His thanksgiving to God for what he had heard concerning them - their faith, love, and hope (Col 1:3-8). III. His prayer for their knowledge, fruitfulness, and strength (Col 1:9-11). IV. An admirable summary of the Christian doctrine concerning the operation of the Spirit, the person of the Redeemer, the work of redemption, and the preaching of it in the gospel (v. 12-29).

Barclay: Colossians (Book Introduction)

A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL

The Letters Of Paul

There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letters of Paul. That is because of all forms of literature a letter is most personal. Demetrius, one of the old Greek literary critics, once wrote, "Every one reveals his own soul in his letters. In every other form of composition it is possible to discern the writercharacter, but in none so clearly as the epistolary." (Demetrius, On Style, 227). It is just because he left us so many letters that we feel we know Paul so well. In them he opened his mind and heart to the folk he loved so much; and in them, to this day, we can see that great mind grappling with the problems of the early church, and feel that great heart throbbing with love for men, even when they were misguided and mistaken.

The Difficulty Of Letters

At the same time, there is often nothing so difficult to understand as a letter. Demetrius (On Style, 223) quotes a saying of Artemon, who edited the letters of Aristotle. Artemon said that a letter ought to be written in the same manner as a dialogue, because it was one of the two sides of a dialogue. In other words, to read a letter is like listening to one side of a telephone conversation. So when we read the letters of Paul we are often in a difficulty. We do not possess the letter which he was answering; we do not fully know the circumstances with which he was dealing; it is only from the letter itself that we can deduce the situation which prompted it. Before we can hope to understand fully any letter Paul wrote, we must try to reconstruct the situation which produced it.

The Ancient Letters

It is a great pity that Paulletters were ever called epistles. They are in the most literal sense letters. One of the great lights shed on the interpretation of the New Testament has been the discovery and the publication of the papyri. In the ancient world, papyrus was the substance on which most documents were written. It was composed of strips of the pith of a certain bulrush that grew on the banks of the Nile. These strips were laid one on top of the other to form a substance very like brown paper. The sands of the Egyptian desert were ideal for preservation, for papyrus, although very brittle, will last forever so long as moisture does not get at it. As a result, from the Egyptian rubbish heaps, archaeologists have rescued hundreds of documents, marriage contracts, legal agreements, government forms, and, most interesting of all, private letters. When we read these private letters we find that there was a pattern to which nearly all conformed; and we find that Paulletters reproduce exactly that pattern. Here is one of these ancient letters. It is from a soldier, called Apion, to his father Epimachus. He is writing from Misenum to tell his father that he has arrived safely after a stormy passage.

"Apion sends heartiest greetings to his father and lord Epimachus.

I pray above all that you are well and fit; and that things are

going well with you and my sister and her daughter and my brother.

I thank my Lord Serapis [his god] that he kept me safe when I was

in peril on the sea. As soon as I got to Misenum I got my journey

money from Caesar--three gold pieces. And things are going fine

with me. So I beg you, my dear father, send me a line, first to let

me know how you are, and then about my brothers, and thirdly, that

I may kiss your hand, because you brought me up well, and because

of that I hope, God willing, soon to be promoted. Give Capito my

heartiest greetings, and my brothers and Serenilla and my friends.

I sent you a little picture of myself painted by Euctemon. My

military name is Antonius Maximus. I pray for your good health.

Serenus sends good wishes, Agathos Daimonboy, and Turbo,

Galloniuson." (G. Milligan, Selections from the Greek Papyri,

36.)

Little did Apion think that we would be reading his letter to his father 1800 years after he had written it. It shows how little human nature changes. The lad is hoping for promotion quickly. Who would Serenilla be but the girl he left behind him? He sends the ancient equivalent of a photograph to the folk at home. Now that letter falls into certain sections. (i) There is a greeting. (ii) There is a prayer for the health of the recipients. (iii) There is a thanksgiving to the gods. (iv) There are the special contents. (v) Finally, there are the special salutations and the personal greetings. Practically every one of Paulletters shows exactly the same sections, as we now demonstrate.

(i) The Greeting: Rom_1:1 ; 1Co_1:1 ; 2Co_1:1 ; Gal_1:1 ; Eph_1:1 ; Phi_1:1 ; Col_1:1-2 ; 1Th_1:1 ; 2Th_1:1 .

(ii) The Prayer: in every case Paul prays for the grace of God on the people to whom he writes: Rom_1:7 ; 1Co_1:3 ; 2Co_1:2 ; Gal_1:3 ; Eph_1:2 ; Phi_1:3 ; Col_1:2 ; 1Th_1:1 ; 2Th_1:2 .

(iii) The Thanksgiving: Rom_1:8 ; 1Co_1:4 ; 2Co_1:3 ; Eph_1:3 ; Phi_1:3 ; 1Th_1:3 ; 2Th_1:3 .

(iv) The Special Contents: the main body of the letters.

(v) Special Salutations and Personal Greetings: Rom 16 ; 1Co_16:19 ; 2Co_13:13 ; Phi_4:21-22 ; Col_4:12-15 ; 1Th_5:26 .

When Paul wrote letters, he wrote them on the pattern which everyone used. Deissmann says of them, "They differ from the messages of the homely papyrus leaves of Egypt, not as letters but only as the letters of Paul." When we read Paulletters we are not reading things which were meant to be academic exercises and theological treatises, but human documents written by a friend to his friends.

The Immediate Situation

With a very few exceptions, all Paulletters were written to meet an immediate situation and not treatises which he sat down to write in the peace and silence of his study. There was some threatening situation in Corinth, or Galatia, or Philippi, or Thessalonica, and he wrote a letter to meet it. He was not in the least thinking of us when he wrote, but solely of the people to whom he was writing. Deissmann writes, "Paul had no thought of adding a few fresh compositions to the already extant Jewish epistles; still less of enriching the sacred literature of his nation.... He had no presentiment of the place his words would occupy in universal history; not so much that they would be in existence in the next generation, far less that one day people would look at them as Holy Scripture." We must always remember that a thing need not be transient because it was written to meet an immediate situation. All the great love songs of the world were written for one person, but they live on for the whole of mankind. It is just because Paulletters were written to meet a threatening danger or a clamant need that they still throb with life. And it is because human need and the human situation do not change that God speaks to us through them today.

The Spoken Word

One other thing we must note about these letters. Paul did what most people did in his day. He did not normally pen his own letters but dictated them to a secretary, and then added Ws own authenticating signature. (We actually know the name of one of the people who did the writing for him. In Rom_16:22 Tertius, the secretary, slips in his own greeting before the letter draws to an end). In 1Co_16:21 Paul says, "This is my own signature, my autograph, so that you can be sure this letter comes from me." (compare Col_4:18 ; 2Th_3:17 .)

This explains a great deal. Sometimes Paul is hard to understand, because his sentences begin and never finish; his grammar breaks down and the construction becomes involved. We must not think of him sitting quietly at a desk, carefully polishing each sentence as he writes. We must think of him striding up and down some little room, pouring out a torrent of words, while his secretary races to get them down. When Paul composed his letters, he had in his mindeye a vision of the folk to whom he was writing, and he was pouring out his heart to them in words that fell over each other in his eagerness to help.

INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

The Towns Of The Lycus Valley

About one hundred miles from Ephesus, in the valley of the River Lycus, near where it joins the Maeander, there once stood three important cities--Laodicaea, Hierapolis and Colosse. Originally they had been Phrygian cities but now they were part of the Roman province of Asia. They stood almost within sight of each other. Hierapolis and Laodicaea stood on either side of the valley with the River Lycus flowing between, only six miles apart and in full view of each other; Colosse straddled the river twelve miles farther up.

The Lycus Valley had two remarkable characteristics.

(i) It was notorious for earthquakes. Strabo describes it by the curious adjective euseistos, which in English means good for earthquakes. More than once Laodicaea had been destroyed by an earthquake, but she was a city so rich and so independent that she had risen from the ruins without the financial help which the Roman government had offered. As the John who wrote the Revelation was to say of her, in her own eyes she was rich and had need of nothing (Rev_3:17 ).

(ii) The waters of the River Lycus and of its tributaries were impregnated with chalk. This chalk gathered and all over the countryside built up the most amazing natural formations. Lightfoot writes in description of that area: "Ancient monuments are buried; fertile land is overlaid; rivers beds choked up and streams diverted; fantastic grottoes and cascades and archways of stone are formed, by this strange, capricious power, at once destructive and creative, working silently throughout the ages. Fatal to vegetation, these incrustations spread like a stony shroud over the ground. Gleaming like glaciers on the hillside, they attract the eye of the traveller at a distance of twenty miles, and form a singularly striking feature in scenery of more than common beauty and impressiveness."

A Wealthy Area

In spite of these things this was a wealthy area and famous for two closely allied trades. Volcanic ground is always fertile; and what was not covered by the chalky incrustations was magnificent pasture land. On these pastures there were great flocks of sheep and the area was perhaps the greatest centre of the woollen industry in the world. Laodicaea was specially famous for the production of garments of the finest quality. The allied trade was dyeing. There was some quality in those chalky waters which made them specially suitable for dyeing cloth, and Colosse was so famous for this trade that a certain dye was called by its name.

So, then, these three cities stood in a district of considerable geographical interest and of great commercial prosperity.

The Unimportant City

Originally the three cities had been of equal importance, but, as the years went on, their ways parted. Laodicaea became the political centre of the district and the financial headquarters of the whole area, a city of splendid prosperity. Hierapolis became a great trade-centre and a notable spa. In that volcanic area there were many chasms in the ground from which came hot vapours and springs, famous for their medicinal quality; and people came in their thousands to Hierapolis to bathe and to drink the waters.

Colosse at one time was as great as the other two. Behind her rose the Cadmus range of mountains and she commanded the roads to the mountain passes. Both Xerxes and Cyrus had halted there with their invading armies, and Herodotus had called her "a great city of Phrygia." But for some reason the glory departed. How great that departure was can be seen from the fact that Hierapolis and Laodicaea are both to this day clearly discernible because the ruins of some great buildings still stand; but there is not a stone to show where Colosse stood and her site can only be guessed at. Even when Paul wrote Colosse was a small town; and Lightfoot says that she was the most unimportant town to which Paul ever wrote a letter.

The fact remains that in this town of Colosse there had arisen a heresy which, if it had been allowed to develop unchecked, might well have been the ruination of the Christian faith.

The Jews In Phrygia

One other fact must be added to complete the picture. These three cities stood in an area in which there were many Jews. Many years before, Antiochus the Great had transported two thousand Jewish families from Babylon and Mesopotamia into the regions of Lydia and Phrygia. These Jews had prospered and, as always happens in such a case, more of their fellow-countrymen had come into the area to share their prosperity. So many came that the stricter Jews of Palestine lamented the number of Jews who left the rigours of their ancestral land for "the wines and baths of Phrygia."

The number of Jews who resided there can be seen from the following historical incident. Laodicaea, as we have seen, was the administrative centre of the district. In the year 62 B.C., Flaccus was the Roman governor resident there. He sought to put a stop to the practice of the Jews of sending money out of the province to pay the Temple tax. He did so by placing an embargo on the export of currency; and in his own part of the province alone he seized as contraband no less than twenty pounds of gold which was meant for the Temple at Jerusalem. That amount of gold would represent the Temple tax of no fewer than 11,000 people. Since women and children were exempt from the tax and since many Jews would successfully evade the capture of their money, we may well put the Jewish population as high as almost 50,000.

The Church At Colosse

The Christian Church at Colosse was one which Paul had not himself founded and which he had never visited. He classes the Colossians and the Laodicaeans with those who had never seen his face in the flesh (Col_2:1 ). But no doubt the founding of the Church sprang from his directing. During his three years in Ephesus the whole province of Asia was evangelized, so that all its inhabitants, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord (Act_19:10 ). Colosse was about one hundred miles from Ephesus and it was no doubt in that campaign of expansion that the Colossian Church was founded. We do not know who its founder was; but it may well have been Epaphras, who is described as Paulfellow-servant and the faithful minister of the Colossian Church and who is later connected also with Hierapolis and Laodicaea (Col_1:7 ; Col_4:12-13 ). If Epaphras was not the founder of the Christian Church there, he was certainly the minister in charge of the area.

A Gentile Church

It is clear that the Colossian Church was mainly Gentile. The phrase estranged and hostile in mind (Col_1:21 ) is the kind of phrase which Paul regularly uses of those who had once been strangers to the covenant of promise. In Col_1:27 he speaks of making known the mystery of Christ among the Gentiles, when the reference is clearly to the Colossians themselves. In Col_3:5-7 he gives a list of their sins before they became Christians, and these are characteristically Gentile sins. We may confidently conclude that the membership of the Church at Colosse was largely composed of Gentiles.

The Threat To The Church

It must have been Epaphras who brought to Paul, in prison in Rome, news of the situation which was developing in Colosse. Much of the news that he brought was good. Paul is grateful for news of their faith in Christ and their love of the saints (Col_1:4 ). He rejoices at the Christian fruit which they are producing (Col_1:6 ). Epaphras has brought him news of their love in the Spirit (Col_1:8 ). He is glad when he hears of their order and steadfastness in the faith (Col_2:5 ). There was trouble at Colosse certainly; but it had not yet become an epidemic. Paul believed that prevention was better than cure; and in this letter he is grasping this evil before it has time to spread.

The Heresy At Colosse

What the heresy was which was threatening the life of the Church at Colosse no one can tell for sure. "The Colossian Heresy" is one of the great problems of New Testament scholarship. All we can do is to go to the letter itself, list the characteristics we find indicated there and then see if we can find any general heretical tendency to fit the list.

(i) It was clearly a heresy which attacked the total adequacy and the unique supremacy of Christ. No Pauline letter has such a lofty view of Jesus Christ or such insistence on his completeness and finality. Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God; in him all fullness dwells (Col_1:15 , Col_1:19 ). In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge (Col_2:2 ). In him dwells the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form (Col_2:9 ).

(ii) Paul goes out of his way to stress the part that Christ played in creation. By him all things were created (Col_1:16 ); in him all things cohere (Col_1:17 ). The Son was the Fatherinstrument in the creation of the universe.

(iii) At the same time he goes out of his way to stress the real humanity of Christ. It was in the body of his flesh that he did his redeeming work (Col_1:22 ). The fullness of the Godhead dwells in him somatikos (G4984), in bodily form (Col_2:9 ). For all his deity Jesus Christ was truly human flesh and blood.

(iv) There seems to have been an astrological element in this heresy. In Col_2:8 , as the King James Version has it, he says that they were walking after the rudiments of this world, and in Col_2:20 that they ought to be dead to the rudiments of this world. The word translated rudiments is stoicheia (G4747), which has two meanings.

(a) Its basic meaning is a row of things; it can, for instance, be used for a file of soldiers. But one of its commonest meanings is the A B C, the letters of the alphabet, set out, as it were, in a row. From that it develops the meaning of the elements of any subject, the rudiments. It is in that sense that the King James Version takes it; and, if that is the correct sense, Paul means that the Colossians are slipping back to an elementary kind of Christianity when they ought to be going on to maturity.

(b) We think that the second meaning is more likely. Stoicheia (G4747) can mean the elemental spirits of the world, and especially the spirits of the stars and planets. The ancient world was dominated by thought of the influence of the stars; and even the greatest and the wisest men would not act without consulting them. It believed that all things were in the grip of an iron fatalism settled by the stars; and the science of astrology professed to provide men with the secret knowledge which would rid them of their slavery to the elemental spirits. It is most likely that the Colossian false teachers were teaching that it needed something more than Jesus Christ to rid men of their subjection to these elemental spirits.

(v) This heresy made much of the powers of demonic spirits. There are frequent references to principalities or authorities, which are Paulnames for these spirits (Col_1:16 ; Col_2:10 ; Col_2:15 ). The ancient world believed implicitly in demonic powers. The air was full of them. Every natural force--the wind, the thunder, the lightning, the rain--had its demonic superintendent. Every place, every tree, every river, every lake had its spirit. They were in one sense intermediaries to God and in another sense barriers to him, for the vast majority of them were hostile to men. The ancient world lived in a demon-haunted universe. The Colossian false teachers were clearly saying that something more than Jesus Christ was needed to defeat the power of the demons.

(vi) There was clearly what we might call a philosophical element in this heresy. The heretics are out to spoil men with philosophy and empty deceit (Col_2:8 ). Clearly the Colossian heretics were saying that the simplicities of the gospel needed a far more elaborate and recondite knowledge added to them.

(vii) There was a tendency in this heresy to insist on the observance of special days and rituals--festivals, new moons and sabbaths (Col_2:16 ).

(viii) Clearly there was a would-be ascetic element in this heresy. It laid down laws about food and drink (Col_2:16 ). Its slogans were: "Touch not; taste not; handle not" (Col_2:21 ). It was a heresy which was out to limit Christian freedom by insistence on all kinds of legalistic ordinances.

(ix) Equally this heresy had at least sometimes an antinomian streak in it. It tended to make men careless of the chastity which the Christian should have and to make him think lightly of the bodily sins (Col_3:5-8 ).

(x) Apparently this heresy gave at least some place to the worship of angels (Col_2:18 ). Beside the demons it introduced angelic intermediaries between man and God.

(xi) Lastly, there seems to have been in this heresy something which can only be called spiritual and intellectual snobbery. In Col_1:28 Paul lays down his aim; it is to warn every man; to teach every man in all wisdom; and to present every man mature in Jesus Christ. We see how the phrase every man is reiterated and how the aim is to make him mature in all wisdom. The clear implication is that the heretics limited the gospel to some chosen few and introduced a spiritual and intellectual aristocracy into the wide welcome of the Christian faith.

The Gnostic Heresy

Was there then any general heretical tendency of thought which would include all this? There was what was called Gnosticism. Gnosticism began with two basic assumptions about matter. First, it believed that spirit alone was good and that matter was essentially evil. Second, it believed that matter was eternal; and that the universe was not created out of nothing--which is orthodox belief--but out of this flawed matter. Now this basic belief had certain inevitable consequences.

(i) It had an effect on the doctrine of creation. If God was spirit, then he was altogether good and could not possibly work with this evil matter. Therefore God was not the creator of the world. He put out a series of emanations, each of which was a little more distant from God until at the end of the series there was an emanation so distant that it could handle matter; and it was this emanation which created the world. The Gnostics went further. Since each emanation was more distant from God. It was also more ignorant of him. As the series went on that ignorance turned to hostility. So the emanations most distant from God were at once ignorant of him and hostile to him. It followed that he who created the world was at once completely ignorant of, and utterly hostile to, the true God. It was to meet that Gnostic doctrine of creation that Paul insisted that the agent of God in creation was not some ignorant and hostile power, but the Son who perfectly knew and loved the Father.

(ii) It had its effect on the doctrine of the person of Jesus Christ. If matter was altogether evil and if Jesus was the Son of God, then Jesus could not have had a flesh and blood body--so the Gnostic argued. He must have been a kind of spiritual phantom. So the Gnostic romances say that when Jesus walked, he left no footprints on the ground. This, of course, completely removed Jesus from humanity and made it impossible for him to be the Saviour of men. It was to meet this Gnostic doctrine that Paul insisted on the flesh and blood body of Jesus and insisted that Jesus saved men in the body of his flesh.

(iii) It had its effect on the ethical approach to life. If matter was evil, then it followed that our bodies were evil. If our bodies were evil, one of two consequences followed. (a) We must starve and beat and deny the body; we must practise a rigid asceticism in which the body was kept under, and in which its every need and desire were refused. (b) It was possible to take precisely the opposite point of view. If the body was evil, it did not matter what a man did with it; spirit was all that mattered. Therefore a man could sate the bodydesires and it would make no difference.

Gnosticism could, therefore, issue in asceticism, with all kinds of laws and restrictions; or, it could issue in anti-nomianism, in which any immorality was justified. And we can see precisely both these tendencies at work in the false teachers at Colosse.

(iv) One thing followed from all this--Gnosticism was a highly intellectual way of life and thought. There was this long series of emanations between a man and God; man must fight his way up a long ladder to get to God. In order to do that he would need all kinds of secret knowledge and esoteric learning and hidden passwords. If he was to practise a rigid asceticism, he would need to know the rules; and so rigid would his asceticism be that it would be impossible for him to embark on the ordinary activities of life. The Gnostics were, therefore, quite clear that the higher reaches of religion were open only to the chosen few. This conviction of the necessity of belonging to an intellectual religious aristocracy precisely suits the situation at Colosse.

(v) There remains one thing to fit into this picture. It is quite obvious that there was a Jewish element in the false teaching threatening the Church at Colosse. The festivals and the new moons and the sabbaths were characteristically Jewish; the laws about food and drink were essentially Jewish levitical laws. Where then did the Jews come in? It is a strange thing that many Jews were sympathetic to Gnosticism. They knew all about angels and demons and spirits. But, above all, they said, "We know quite well that it takes special knowledge to reach God. We know quite well that Jesus and his gospel are far too simple--and that special knowledge is to be found nowhere else than in the Jewish law. It is our ritual and ceremonial law which is indeed the special knowledge which enables a man to reach God." The result was that there was not infrequently a strange alliance between Gnosticism and Judaism; and it is just such an alliance that we find in Colosse, where, as we have seen, there were many Jews.

It is clear that the false teachers of Colosse were tinged with Gnostic heresy. They were trying to turn Christianity into a philosophy and a theosophy, and, if they had been successful,. the Christian faith would have been destroyed.

The Authorship Of The Letter

One question remains. Many scholars do not believe that Paul wrote this letter at all. They have three reasons.

(i) They say that in Colossians there are many words and phrases which do not appear in any other of Paulletters. That is perfectly true. But it does not prove anything. We cannot demand that a man should always write in the same way and with the same vocabulary. In Colossians we may well believe that Paul had new things to say and found new ways to say them.

(ii) They say that the development of Gnostic thought was, in fact, much later than the time of Paul so that, if the Colossian heresy was connected with Gnosticism, the letter is necessarily later than Paul. It is true that the great written Gnostic systems are later. But the idea of two worlds and the idea of the evil of matter are deeply woven into both Jewish and Greek thought. There is nothing in Colossians which cannot be explained by long-standing Gnostic tendencies in ancient thought, although it is true that the systematization of Gnosticism came later.

(iii) They say that the view of Christ in Colossians is far in advance of any of the letters certainly written by Paul. There are two answers to that.

First, Paul speaks of the unsearchable riches of Christ. In Colosse a new situation met him and out of these unsearchable riches he drew new answers to meet it. It is true that the Christology of Colossians is an advance on anything in the earlier letters of Paul; but that is far from saying that Paul did not write it, unless we are willing to argue that his thought remained for ever static. It is true to say that a man thinks out the implications of his faith only as circumstances compel him to do so; and in face of a new set of circumstances Paul thought out new implications of Christ.

Second, the germ of all Paulthought about Christ in Colossians does, in fact, exist in one of his earlier letters. In 1Co_8:6 he writes of one Lord Jesus Christ through whom are all things and through whom we exist. In that phrase is the essence of all he says in Colossians. The seed was there in his mind, ready to blossom when a new climate and new circumstances called it into growth.

We need not hesitate to accept Colossians as a letter written by Paul.

The Great Letter

It remains a strange and wonderful fact that Paul wrote the letter which contains the highest reach of his thought to so unimportant a town as Colosse then was. But in doing so he checked a tendency, which, had it been allowed to develop, would have wrecked Asian Christianity and might well have done irreparable damage to the faith of the whole Church.

FURTHER READINGS

Colossians

T. K. Abbott, Ephesians and Colossians (ICC; G)

J. B. Lightfoot, St. PaulEpistles to the Colossians and Philemon (MmC; G)

C. F. D. Moule, The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians and to Philemon (CGT; G)

E. F. Scott, The Epistles to Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians (MC; E)

Abbreviations

CGT: Cambridge Greek Testament

ICC: International Critical Commentary

MC: Moffatt Commentary

MmC: Macmillan Commentary

TC: Tyndale Commentary

E: English Text

G: Greek Text

Barclay: Colossians 1 (Chapter Introduction)

Christian Greetings (Col_1:1)

The Double Commitment (Col_1:2-8)

The Essence Of The Gospel (Col_1:2-8 Continued)

The Essence Of Prayer's Request (Col_1:9-11)

The Three Great Gifts (Col_1:9-11 Continued)

Prayer's Great Thanksgiving (Col_1:12-14)

The Total Adequacy Of Jesus Christ (Col_1:15-23)

(1) The Mistaken Thinkers (Col_1:15-23 Continued)

(2) What Jesus Christ Is In Himself (Col_1:15-23 Continued)

(3) What Jesus Christ Is To Creation (Col_1:15-23 Continued)

(4) What Jesus Christ Is To The Church (Col_1:15-23 Continued)

(5) What Jesus Christ Is To All Things (Col_1:15-23 Continued)

(6) The Aim And Obligation Of Reconciliation (Col_1:15-23 Continued)

The Privilege And The Task (Col_1:24-29)

Constable: Colossians (Book Introduction)

Introduction

Historical background

The city of Colosse lay in the beautiful Lycus Valley about 100 miles east of Ephesus. It had been an important town during the Persian War of the fifth century B.C. Since then new trade routes had carried most traffic to its neighboring towns of Laodicea and Hierapolis and had left Colosse only a country village.¹ The inhabitants were mainly Greek colonists and native Phrygians when Paul wrote this epistle, though there were many Jews living in the area as well. Antiochus the Great (223-187 B.C.) had relocated hundreds of Jewish families from Mesopotamia to this region.

"Without doubt Colossae was the least important church to which any epistle of St Paul is addressed."²

Churches had taken root in Colosse, Laodicea (4:16), and probably Hierapolis (4:13). Paul had not visited the Lycus Valley when he wrote this epistle (1:4; 2:1), but he had learned of the spread of the gospel there through Epaphras (1:8) and probably others.³

Epaphras seems to have been the founder or one of the founders of the Colossian church (1:7; 4:12-13). He was a Colossian and had instructed the Christians there (1:7) and probably in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Perhaps Paul led him to Christ, maybe at Ephesus (cf. Acts 19:10).

Epaphras may have traveled to Rome to meet with Paul to secure his help in combating the influence of false teachers that were preaching in Colosse. Archippus may have stood in for Epaphras during his absence (4:17; Phile. 2).

The only information available to help us reconstruct the heresy threatening the church comes from indirect allusions and the emphases in this epistle. We conclude that the false teachers were not giving the person and work of Christ proper interpretation or emphasis. They were distorting and minimizing these doctrines. The false teaching also contained a philosophic appeal, whether Oriental or Hellenistic we cannot be sure (2:8). Notwithstanding there was an emphasis on higher knowledge of the cosmic order. There were also elements of Judaistic ritualism and traditionalism present (2:8, 11, 16; 3:11). However, contrary to orthodox Judaism, the false teachers were encouraging the veneration of angels who they believed controlled the operations of nature to some degree (2:18-19). There was an emphasis on ascetic self-denial (2:20-23) and apparently the idea that only those with full knowledge of the truth as taught by the false teachers could understand and experience spiritual maturity (1:20, 28; 3:11). These emphases later developed into Gnosticism, though in Colosse the Jewish emphasis was more prominent than in later Greek Gnosticism.⁴ It is easy to see how such a cult could develop and gain adherents in the Greek-Jewish culture of the Lycus Valley.

". . . given . . . various factors . . ., including the probable origin of the Colossian church from within synagogue circles, the likely presence of Israelite sectarianism within the diaspora, the lack of other evidence of Jewish syncretism in Asia Minor, and the readiness of some Jews to promote their distinctive religious practices in self-confident apology . . ., we need look no further than one or more of the Jewish synagogues in Colossae for the source of whatever influences were thought to threaten the young church there."⁵

The primary purpose of the letter was clearly to combat this false teaching. The two main problems were the doctrine of Christ and how this doctrine affects Christian living. The primary Christological passages (1:14-23; 2:9-15) present Christ as absolutely preeminent and perfectly adequate for the Christian. The Christian life, Paul explained, flows naturally out of this revelation. The Christian life is really the life of the indwelling Christ that God manifests through the believer.

Paul probably wrote this epistle from Rome toward the middle or end of his first house arrest there between 60 and 62 A.D. He experienced confinement though he enjoyed considerable liberty there for about two years. Many of Paul's fellow workers were with him when he composed this epistle (4:7-14). This view of the letter's origin generally fits the facts better than the Caesarean and Ephesian theories of origin.

There are many similarities between Ephesians and Colossians. The major distinction between them is that in Ephesians the emphasis is on the church as the body of Christ. In Colossians the emphasis is on Christ as the head of the body. Stylistically Colossians is somewhat tense and abrupt whereas Ephesians is more diffuse and flowing. Colossians tends to be more specific, concrete, and elliptical while Ephesians is more abstract, didactic, and general. The mood of Colossians is argumentative and polemical, but that of Ephesians is calm and irenic. The former is a letter of discussion; the latter is a letter of reflection.⁶ Paul evidently wrote both letters about the same time. These two epistles, along with Philippians and Philemon, constitute the Prison Epistles of Paul.⁷

Purpose

Three purposes emerge from the contents of the epistle. Paul wanted to express his personal interest in this church, which he had evidently not visited. He wrote to warn the Colossians of the danger of returning to their former beliefs and practices. He also refuted the false teaching that was threatening this congregation. The outstanding Christian doctrine that this letter deals with is Christology. Paul's great purpose was to set forth the absolute supremacy and sole sufficiency of Jesus Christ.

"The church today desperately needs the message of Colossians. We live in a day when religious toleration is interpreted to mean one religion is just as good as another.' Some people try to take the best from various religious systems and manufacture their own private religion. To many people, Jesus Christ is only one of several great religious teachers, with no more authority than they. He may be prominent, but He is definitely not preeminent.

"This is an age of syncretism.' People are trying to harmonize and unite many different schools of thought and come up with a superior religion. Our evangelical churches are in danger of diluting the faith in their loving attempt to understand the beliefs of others. Mysticism, legalism, Eastern religions, asceticism, and man-made philosophies are secretly creeping into churches. They are not denying Christ, but they are dethroning Him and robbing Him of His rightful place of preeminence."⁸

Message⁹

The whole message of this epistle finds expression in 2:9-10a. The two declarations in this sentence are the great revelations of the Colossian letter.

The fullness of the godhead is in Christ. This is an eternal fact that is always true. The Greek word translated "deity" (theotetos) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It does not mean divinity. Divinity is an attribute of God. Deity is the essence of God. It is not enough to say Jesus Christ was divine. In a sense every person is divine. Jesus Christ was deity. He alone possesses the unique nature of God. In Him the fullness of essential deity dwells in bodily manifestation. The Apostle Paul expounded Christ's fullness in three respects in this epistle.

In relation to creation He is the originator and sustainer of all things (1:16-17). This includes all life.

In relation to redemption He is the first-born from the dead (1:18). Resurrection presupposes death. Death is due to sin. Between creation and resurrection there was sin and death. In resurrection Christ was victor over sin, death, and the grave. He is the master of death.

In relation to reconciliation Christ is the maker of peace (1:19-20). The result of Christ's victory over death is peace. He is the reconciler of all things that sin has separated. His reconciliation affects both people and the created world. In Christ we see all the fullness of deity: creating, rising triumphantly out of death, and reconciling to the farthest reaches of the universe. That is the Christ of Christianity.

The second declaration is that in Christ God makes us full (2:10a). Not only is the fullness of the godhead in Christ, but the filling of the saints is in Christ too. Paul explained what this means.

First, it means God restores us to our true place in creation in Christ. We can regain the scepter and the crown as kings of the earth under God's authority. God has sent us out into all the cosmos to make Christ known. Unfortunately we do not always realize our position. We choose instead to grovel among the world's garbage heaps. Nevertheless in this sense God makes us full in Christ. We come into a new relationship to all creation through Christ. God restores us to our divinely intended position in creation in Him. We are His trophies.

Second, God restores us to our true relation to Himself through Christ's resurrection. God communicates His very life to us so that we take our rightful place as subject to God. God does not break our will. He captures our will by the indwelling grace of Christ's life. God makes us full in this sense too. We are His instruments.

Third, God restores us to true fellowship with Himself in Christ. We not only receive from God, but we can also give to God in service. Thus our fellowship is reciprocal. We are His partners.

We experience fullness in Christ for in Him God restores us to our true place in creation, to our true relation to Himself, and to our true fellowship with Himself. This restoration enables us to cooperate with God in His purposes. We become not only trophies of His grace but His instruments and even His partners in our generation. In view of this revelation Paul made a threefold appeal.

The first appeal is a warning against a false philosophy (2:8). Paul described this false philosophy in two ways.

It is the tradition of men, which is essentially speculation. In this context Paul meant human guessing that leaves God out of His universe.

It is also the rudiments of the world. This philosophy is rudimentary because it tries to explain everything within the limits of the material. The material part of life is rudimentary.

We correct this false philosophy by recognizing that Jesus Christ is the solution to the problem of the universe. When we realize that Jesus Christ is the first-born (first in rank and sovereignty, not in temporal sequence) then we gain a true view of the universe. He is the great cohesive agent in the universe.

Paul's second warning is against false mediation (2:16-18).

Paul pointed out that ceremonies such as observing certain kinds of foods and festivals are only shadows. We should not think that observing these ceremonies will improve our relationship to God. We have Jesus Christ who is the substance to which these ceremonies pointed.

Another type of false mediation involves the worship of angels. We should have nothing to do with this practice because we have direct access to Jesus Christ. He is the Creator and Master of all creatures including the angels.

To summarize, we should not allow religious ceremonies or created mediators to come between ourselves and Christ.

Paul's third warning is against false confidences (2:20-23).

Our enemy may tempt us to have confidence in the opinions of others. When false teachers say, "Do not touch this or taste that or handle something," we may think those statements are authoritative. Paul urges us not to follow such opinions but to get our direction from the Lord Jesus.

Our enemy may tempt us to put confidence in ascetic practices of abstention and self-affliction. Paul tells us to forget these things and to set our thinking on the things of Christ rather than on ourselves.

When we have a true view of Jesus Christ He will be the focus of our thinking. That view will deliver us from the domination of the flesh. We need to base our confidence on God's Word rather than on human traditions that do not reflect scriptural revelation accurately.

The matter of supreme importance to the church is her doctrine of Christ. Our Christian life and service will flow out of our doctrine of Christ. We are what we think. "As a man thinks in his heart so is he." Not only must Christ occupy the central place in our lives, but our understanding of Christ must be accurate. We can avoid all the errors Paul warned against in this epistle by keeping a proper view of Christ.

Constable: Colossians (Outline)

Outline

I. Introduction 1:1-14

A. Salutation 1:1-2

B. Thanksgiving 1:3-8

C. Prayer 1:9-14

II. Explanation of the person and work of Christ 1:15-29

A. The preeminent person of Christ 1:15-20

1. In relation to God the Father 1:15a

2. In relation to all creation 1:15b-17

3. In relation to the church 1:18-20

B. The reconciling work of Christ 1:21-29

1. As experienced by the Colossians 1:21-23

2. As ministered by Paul 1:24-29

III. Warnings against the philosophies of men ch. 2

A. Exhortation to persevere in the truth 2:1-7

1. Paul's concern 2:1-5

2. Paul's exhortation 2:6-7

B. The true doctrine of Christ 2:8-15

C. The false doctrines of men 2:16-23

IV. Exhortations to practical Christian living 3:1-4:6

A. The basic principle 3:1-4

B. The proper method 3:5-17

1. Things to put off 3:5-11

2. Things to put on 3:12-17

C. The fundamental relationships 3:18-4:1

1. Wives and husbands 3:18-19

2. Children and parents 3:20-21

3. Slaves and masters 3:22-4:1

D. The essential practice 4:2-6

V. Conclusion 4:7-18

A. The bearers of this epistle 4:7-9

B. Greetings from Paul's companions 4:10-14

C. Greetings to others 4:15-17

D. Paul's personal conclusion 4:18

Constable: Colossians

Colossians

Bibliography

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_____. "A Theology of Paul's Prison Epistles." In A Biblical Theology of the New Testament, pp. 299-331. Edited by Roy B. Zuck. Chicago: Moody Press, 1994.

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_____. Commentary on the Epistle to the Colossians in Commentary on the Epistles to the Ephesians and to the Colossians by E. K. Simpson and F. F. Bruce. New International Commentary on the New Testament series. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1968.

Caird, G. B. Paul's Letters from Prison. New Clarendon Bible series. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1976.

Carson, Herbert M. The Epistles of Paul to the Colossians and Philemon. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries series. Reprint ed. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1978.

Constable, Thomas L. "Analysis of Bible Books--New Testament." Paper submitted for course 686 Analysis of Bible Books--New Testament. Dallas Theological Seminary, January 1968.

_____. Talking to God: What the Bible Teaches about Prayer. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1995.

Darby, John Nelson. Synopsis of the Books of the Bible. 5 vols. Revised ed. New York: Loizeaux Brothers Publishers, 1942.

Dean, David A. "A Study of the Enthronement of Christ in Acts 2 and 3." Th.M. thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1992.

Deissmann, Adolph. Bible Studies. Translated by A. Grieve. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1901.

Dictionary of the Apostolic Church. Edited by James Hastings. 1915 ed. S. v. "Colossians, Epistle to the," by L. W. Grensted.

Dictionary of the Bible. Edited by James Hastings. 1910 ed. S. v. "Colossians, Epistle to the," by J. O. F. Murray.

Dillow, Joseph C. The Reign of the Servant Kings. Miami Springs, Fl.: Schoettle Publishing Co., 1992.

Dunn, James D. G. The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon: A Commentary on the Greek Text. The New International Greek Testament Commentary series. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., and Carlisle, England: Paternoster Press, 1996.

Eadie, John. Commentary on the Epistle to the Colossians. Classic Commentary Library series. N.c.: Richard Griffin and Co., 1856; reprint ed., Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1957.

Ellicott, Charles J. A Critical and Grammatical Commentary on St. Paul's Epistles to the Philippians, Colossians, and to Philemon. Andover, Mass.: Warren F. Draper, 1876.

Ellis, E. Earle. "The Epistle to the Colossians." In Wycliffe Bible Commentary, pp. 1333-46. Edited by Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison. Chicago: Moody Press, 1962.

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_____. "Colossians." In Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, pp. 667-86. Edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. Wheaton: Scripture Press Publications, Victor Books, 1983.

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. By C. G. Wilke. Revised by C. L. Wilibald Grimm. Translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer, 1889.

Gromacki, Robert G. Stand Perfect in Wisdom. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1984.

Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. 3 vols. 2nd ed. London: Tyndale Press, 1966.

Haik, Paul S. Complete in Christ. Moody Manna series. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1965.

Helyer, Larry L. "Arius Revisited: The Firstborn Over All Creation (Col 1:15)." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 31:1 (March 1988):59-67.

_____. "Colossians 1:15-20: Pre-Pauline or Pauline?" Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 26:2 (June 1983):167-79.

_____. "Cosmic Christology and Col 1:15-20." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 37:2 (June 1994):235-46.

_____. "Recent Research on Col 1:15-20 (1980-1990)." Grace Theological Journal 12:1 (1992):51-67.

Hendricksen, William. New Testament Commentary: Exposition of Philippians and Exposition of Colossians and Philemon. Reprint ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1979.

Herzog, William R., II. "The Household Duty' Passages: Apostolic Traditions and Contemporary Concerns." Foundations 24:3 (July-September 1981):204-15.

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_____. Working With God: Scriptural Studies in Intercession. New York: Carlton Press, 1987.

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_____. "The Doctrine of Christ in Colossians." Bibliotheca Sacra 149:594 (April-June 1992):180-92.

_____. "The Doctrine of Salvation in Colossians." Biblitheca Sacra 151:603 (July-September 1994):325-38.

_____. "Heresies in the Colossian Church." Bibliotheca Sacra 149:593 (January-March 1992):45-59.

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Johnson, S. Lewis, Jr. "Studies in the Epistle to the Colossians." Bibliotheca Sacra 118:470 (July-September 1961):239-50; 472 (October-December 1961):334-46; 119:473 (January-March 1962):12-19; 474 (April-June 1962);139-49; 475 (July-September 1962):227-37; 476 (October-December 1962):302-11; 120:477 (January-March 1963):13-23; 478 (April-June 1963):109-16; 479 (July-September 1963):205-13; 121:481 (January-March 1964):22-33; 482 (April-June 1964) 107-16; 484 (October-December 1964):311-20.

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Copyright 2003 by Thomas L. Constable

Haydock: Colossians (Book Introduction)

THE

EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE,

TO THE COLOSSIANS.

INTRODUCTION.

Colosse was a city of Phrygia, near Laodicea. It does not appear that St. Paul had preached there himself, (see Chap. ii. 1.) but that the Colossians were converted by Epaphras, a disciple of the apostles. However, as St. Paul was the great apostle of the Gentiles, he wrote this epistle to the Colossians when he was in prison, and about the same time that he wrote to the Ephesians and Philippians. The exhortations and doctrine it contains, are similar to those which are set forth in his epistle to the Ephesians. St. John Chrysostom takes notice, that the epistles he wrote in prison seem even more spiritual than the rest: the chief design of which was to hinder them from being seduced by false teachers. (Challoner; Witham) --- The Colossians were first instructed in the faith by Epaphras, who is considered their first bishop. He was a prisoner, at Rome, with St. Paul, when this epistle was written. The intent of it was to disabuse the Colossians of worshipping the Angels; for Cerinthus and others, had taught them to look upon Angels as superior to Christ, whom they looked upon as a mere man; to observe the law of Moses, with all its legal rites and ceremonies. He begins his epistle by insisting chiefly on the exalted state of Christ, saying that he is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature, by whom all things visible and invisible were created, whether thrones, principalities, or powers, and that in him the divinity essentially exists. From this he proves the inutility of the ceremonies of the law, &c. (Fleury and Calmet) and takes great pains to prevent their relapsing either into paganism or Judaism. (Bible de Vence)

====================

Gill: Colossians (Book Introduction)

INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The Colossians, to whom this epistle is written, were not the Rhodians, by some called Colossians, from Colossus, the large statue of the sun, which stood in the island of Rhodes, and was one of the seven wonders of the world; but the inhabitants of Colosse, a city of the greater Phrygia, in the lesser Asia, near to which stood the cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis, mentioned in this epistle. Pliny ^a speaks of it as one of the chief towns in Phrygia, and ^b Herodotus calls it the great city of Phrygia; it is said to have perished a very little time after the writing of this epistle, with the above cities, by an earthquake, in the year of Christ 66, and in the tenth of Nero ^c; though it was afterwards rebuilt; for Theophylact says, that in his time it was called Chonae. When the Gospel was brought hither, and by whom, is not known, nor who was the founder of the church in this place; for the Apostle Paul was not, since his face had never been seen by them, Col 2:1, though it is said that Epaphras, the same name with Epaphroditus, was fixed by him pastor of this church; and others say Philemon was set over it by him. The occasion of this epistle was this, Epaphras, who had preached the Gospel to the Colossians, and very likely was the first that did, came to Rome, where the Apostle Paul was a prisoner, and gave him an account of them, how they had heard and received the Gospel, and of their faith Christ, and love to the saints; and also declared to him in what danger they were through some false teachers that had got among them, who were for introducing the philosophy of the Gentiles, the ceremonies of the law of Moses, and some pernicious tenets of the followers of Simon Magus, and the Gnostics; upon which the apostle writes this epistle to them, to confirm them in the faith of the Gospel Epaphras had preached unto them, and which was the same he himself preached; and to warn them against those bad men, and their principles; and to exhort them to a discharge of their duty to God, and men, and one another. It was written by the apostle, when in bonds at Rome, as many passages in it show, and about the same time with those to the Philippians and Ephesians; and the epistle to the latter greatly agrees with this, both as to subject and style. Dr. Lightfoot places it in the year of Christ 60, in the second of the apostle's imprisonment, and in the sixth of Nero's reign.

Gill: Colossians 1 (Chapter Introduction)

INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS 1

This chapter contains the inscription of the epistle; the apostle's usual salutation; his thanksgiving to God on behalf of the Colossians for grace received; his prayers, that more might be given them; an enumeration of various blessings of grace, which require thankfulness, in which the glories and excellencies of Christ are particularly set forth: and it is concluded with an exhortation to a steadfast adherence to the Gospel, taken from the nature, excellency, and usefulness of the ministry of it. The inscription, and the salutation, are in Col 1:1, and are the same with those in the epistle to the Ephesians, only Timothy is joined with the apostle here, and the Colossians have the additional character of brethren given them. The thanksgiving is in Col 1:3, the object of it is God, the Father of Christ; the time when made, when in prayer to him; its subject matter, the faith and love of the saints; to which is added, their happiness secured for them in heaven, their hope was conversant with: and whereas the Gospel was the means by which they came to the hearing and knowledge of it, this is commended from the subject of it, the doctrine of truth; from the spread of it in the world; and from its efficacy in bringing forth fruit in all, to whom it came in power, and that with constancy, Col 1:5, and also from the testimony of Epaphras, a faithful minister of Christ, and theirs, who was dear to the apostle, and of whom he had the above account of them, Col 1:7. And then follow his prayers for them, that they might have an increase of spiritual knowledge, and that they might put in practice what they knew; and for that purpose he entreats they might be blessed with strength, patience, and longsuffering, Col 1:9. And in order to excite thankfulness in himself and them, he takes notice of various blessings of grace; of the Father's grace in giving a meetness for eternal glory and happiness, by delivering from the power of darkness, and translating into the kingdom of his Son, Col 1:12, and of the Son's grace in obtaining redemption by his blood, and procuring the remission of sins, Col 1:14, which leads the apostle to enlarge upon the excellencies of the author of these blessings, in his divine person, as the image of God, and the first cause of all created beings, Col 1:15, which he proves by an enumeration of them, as created by him, and for his sake, by his pre-existence to them, and their dependence on him, Col 1:16, and in his office capacity, as Mediator, being the head of the church, the governor of it, and the first that rose from the dead; by all which it appears that he has, and ought to have the pre-eminence, Col 1:18. And this is still more manifest from his having all fulness dwelling in him, to supply his body the church, of which he is the head, Col 1:19, and from the reconciliation of all the members of it to God by him, Col 1:20, which blessing of grace is amplified partly by the subjects of it, who are described by their former state and condition, aliens and enemies, and by their present one, reconciled by the death of Christ in his fleshly body; and partly by the end of it, the presentation of them holy, blameless, and irreprovable in the sight of God, Col 1:21. Wherefore it is a duty incumbent on such to abide by the Gospel of Christ, which brings the good tidings of peace and reconciliation, and is the means of faith and hope; and the rather, since they had heard it themselves, and others also, even every creature under heaven; and the apostle was a minister of it, Col 1:23, and on his ministration of it he enlarges, by observing his sufferings for the church on account of the Gospel, which he endured with pleasure; and therefore they should, by his example, be encouraged to continue in it, Col 1:24. Moreover, he argues the same from his commission of God to preach it for their sakes, Col 1:25, and from the nature and subject matter of it, being a hidden mystery, and containing riches and glory in it; yea, Christ himself, the foundation of hope of eternal glory, Col 1:26, and from the end of preaching it, which was to present every man perfect in Christ; which end the apostle laboured and strove to obtain through the power and energy of divine grace, which wrought in him, and with him, Col 1:28.

College: Colossians (Book Introduction)

INTRODUCTION

THE CITY

Colosse had been a thriving and important city several centuries before Christ, but by the time this letter was written its importance had diminished considerably, and it was overshadowed by its neighbors Hierapolis and Laodicea, both short distances to the west. Colosse was approximately 100 miles east of Ephesus, located in the Lycus valley in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). It was located on a major trade route moving inland from the coast.

A severe earthquake had shaken Laodicea either in 60 or 64 AD, and it is supposed Colosse, being near, would also have suffered. This may have been one cause of a decline in population.

The primary economic significance of the city was due to textiles, and a highly prized wool came from the area. The site of the city was rediscovered in 1835, but it has not been excavated. The city is mentioned in the New Testament only in Paul's letter.

THE CHURCH

Paul would have been in the general vicinity of Colosse during his Ephesian ministry (Acts 19) but there is no reference in Acts to a visit there, though Ephesus did become a mission center (Acts 19:10). In Colossians 1:4 Paul states that he had heard of the faith of the Colossians, and in 2:1 he speaks of those who had not met him personally. These notes, and the references to Epaphras in 1:7f and 4:12f, have led to the conclusion that Paul had not personally visited the city (though he anticipated doing so - Phlm 22), and that Epaphras was the evangelist who founded the church (1:7f). Epaphras may also have founded the congregations in Hierapolis and Laodicea (Col 4:13,16).

Several Christians from Colosse are named by Paul, including Nympha, Archippus (Col 4:15,17), Philemon, Apphia (Phlm 1f), and, of course, Epaphras. Epaphras had gone to visit Paul and is designated in Philemon 23 as Paul's "fellow prisoner" (see the notes there). The text of Colossians indicates the membership was primarily Gentiles, though the "heresy" which Paul opposed contains Jewish elements (see 2:16f and the discussion there).

OCCASION

Personal information is generally shared in letters like Colossians. This would be especially important because there would be concern over Paul's condition as a prisoner. The most likely theory is that Epaphras traveled to see Paul, primarily because of concern over certain teachings that were troubling the church and seemed to seriously diminish the significance of Christ. For some reason (imprisonment - Phlm 1:23?) Epaphras was unable to carry Paul's letter back to Colosse, so that task was entrusted to Tychicus, who also carried a letter to Philemon, and who was accompanied by Onesimus, a runaway slave (Col 4:7-9; Phlm 1:12,17).

But the troublesome teaching is the chief burden of the letter. Paul describes this heresy in 2:8,16-23, and in the rest of the book he attacks it, either frontally or in more subtle ways. The nature of the heresy has been a continuing puzzlement to scholars, and many theoretical explanations have been offered. It seems to have involved Jewish elements (2:16f), angelic worship (2:18), and extreme asceticism (2:20-23). But attempts at more precise definition have had to recognize ambiguities in the text, problems with seeing a coherent relation of the elements of the false teaching, the incompleteness of Paul's description (remembering he had to rely on the reports of others), and finding any known teaching from the period that embodied all these elements. See the discussion in the commentary proper.

The effect of this teaching was to lessen the significance of Christ's saving work. If the tenets of the heresy provided the path to salvation, then Christ's sacrifice was not as important. The heresy seems to have imported another form of works salvation, much as the circumcision party in the church attempted to do. Paul attacks the error by a powerful affirmation of Christ's identity (1:15-20) and his role in salvation. His thesis was that an understanding of Christ and life in him would completely refute the heresy. In addition to the magnificent texts in 1:15-20 and 2:9-15 he constantly makes references to benefits which the heretics sought after, but which only Christ truly gave. These included such things as wisdom, knowledge, and fullness (cf. 1:9). Note also the references to the mystery (1:26; 2:2). Even the ethical appeals from 3:1-4:6 powerfully emphasize the relation of the ethical life to Christ (note the references listed before 3:1).

PAUL'S LOCALE

The commonly accepted tradition holds that Paul wrote Colossians and Philemon from the Roman imprisonment described in Acts 28. The apostle does not name the city from which he writes, but numerous factors support Rome. Luke (Col 4:14) and Aristarchus (Colossians 4:10) were with him there, and were in Rome according to Acts 27:2 (the "we" implies Luke). Acts indicates Paul's Roman imprisonment was not unduly restrictive (Acts 28:30f) and this fits the relatively unfettered activities described in Colossians 4:7-15. Onesimus was with Paul (Col 4:9; cf. Phlm) and it is quite possible he had migrated to Rome to lose himself in the urban populace. If we accept the Roman hypothesis, Colossians would be dated in the early 60s.

Due to the perceived presence of problems with a Roman origin, however, other locales have been suggested. One is Caesarea, since that is the only other Pauline imprisonment documented in Acts. This theory has not gained any significant following, since the circumstances described in Acts do not fit those depicted in Colossians and Philemon, especially Paul's expectation to visit Colosse (Phlm 1:22). From Caesarea Paul expected only to go to Rome, and before his appeal to Caesar he was kept in continual uncertainty.

A more likely case has been formed for Ephesus. It was relatively close to Colosse and could thus conveniently explain Paul's travel plans (i.e., an eventual trip to Rome after a detour to Colosse). Paul did encounter some problems in Ephesus (1 Cor 4:9-13; 2 Cor 4:8-12; 6:4f; 11:23-25; and perhaps 1 Cor 15:32). They might have included prison, but Acts gives no evidence of it, and details are uncertain enough to disallow any definite conclusion. Since Luke details Paul's problems so carefully, it seems strange he would not mention an Ephesian imprisonment had there been one. Further, Acts has no indication Luke was even in Ephesus. He was left in Philippi on Paul's second tour, and did not resume the apostle's company till the third tour (Acts 16:16,40; 20:5). If Colossians was written from Ephesus, it would be dated in the early to mid 50s.

The case for Ephesus depends, in part, on certain perceived weaknesses in the Roman view. One is the divergence between Paul's announced intent to go to Spain (Rom 15:28) and his desire to return to Colosse (Phlm 1:22). In our comments on Philemon 22 we have argued that a change of plans by Paul is a reasonable supposition. Another objection is the distance from Rome to Colosse, well over 1000 miles. If Paul expected Onesimus to be returned to him (see notes on Philemon) that seems a long distance for him to be sent only to retrace his steps. However, the Roman road system was good, and Paul's honor demanded that he send Onesimus and give Philemon the option of voluntary response, whatever the distance. We do not think Paul could have written as he did to Philemon and not have sent Onesimus.

A third argument has to do with Paul's request for lodging with Philemon ( v. 22). Would he have made such a request when so many miles and days away? But once we accept Paul's intent to visit Colosse (perhaps to deal with the heresy) and consider his graciousness in dealing with Philemon, the request seems reasonable enough.

A fair case can be made for Ephesus, but we hold that the case for Rome is the stronger alternative.

-College Press New Testament Commentary: with the NIV

BIBLIOGRAPHY

COLOSSIANS

Bruce, F.F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984.

Lohse, Eduard. Colossians and Philemon . Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971.

Melick, Richard. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon . Nashville: Broadman, 1991.

O'Brien, Peter. Colossians, Philemon . Waco: Word Books, 1982.

Patzia, Arthur. Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon . Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1984.

Pokorn΄y, Petr. Colossians, A Commentary . Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1991.

Weed, Michael. The Letters of Paul to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon . Austin: Sweet, 1971.

-College Press New Testament Commentary: with the NIV

College: Colossians (Outline)

OUTLINE

SALUTATION - 1:1-2

I. THANKSGIVING - 1:3-8

II. PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THE COLOSSIANS - 1:9-14

III. THE HYMN ABOUT CHRIST - 1:15-20

IV. THE HYMN APPLIED - 1:21-23

V. PAUL'S MINISTRY TO THE CHURCHES AND TO THE COLOSSIANS - 1:24-2:5

A. Paul's Labors in God's Power - 1:24-29

B. Warning Against Being Deceived - 2:1-5

VI. RECEIVING CHRIST AS LORD - 2:6-15

A. Continue in Christ: Don't Be Deceived! - 2:6-8

B. "In Christ" - 2:9-12

C. Death to Life - 2:13-15

VII. WARNINGS AGAINST THE HERESY - 2:16-23

A. Don't Lose the Prize! - 2:16-19

B. Shun Worldly Rules! - 2:20-23

VIII. SEEK THE THINGS ABOVE - 3:1-4

IX. THINGS TO PUT TO DEATH - 3:5-11

X. THINGS TO PUT ON - 3:12-17

XI. RULES FOR THE CHRISTIAN HOUSEHOLD - 3:18-4:1

A. Husbands and Wives - 3:18-19

B. Children and Fathers - 3:20-21

C. Slaves and Masters - 3:22-4:1

XII. FINAL EXHORTATIONS TO PRAYER AND PROPER BEHAVIOR - 4:2-6

XIII. FINAL INSTRUCTIONS AND GREETINGS - 4:7-18

A. Tychicus and Onesimus - 4:7-9

B. Greetings - 4:10-15

C. Concluding Instructions - 4:16-18

-College Press New Testament Commentary: with the NIV