Tag: Colossians

The Grace of God in Truth

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Colossians 1:6-8 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bring forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: As you also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 

‘Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world.’ Here the gospel is referred to as a traveller making a tour of the whole world. Beginning from Judea it had travelled through Syria and different parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe and had lately visited Colosse. It is also spoken of as bearing fruit all over the world. The gospel is still travelling and bringing forth fruit on the earth. Millions of Bibles in hundreds of languages go into all parts of the earth yearly and the Word of God are available worldwide.

‘The grace of God in truth.’ We can receive this grace from God in truth when we accept Christ and become His followers as described in 1Peter 2:21-23. Then we receive the fullness of grace (John 1:16-17), the fullness of the Holy Spirit anointing upon believers (Luke 24:49; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:4-8), the full gifts and fruit of the Spirit (1Cor. 12:4-11; Gal. 5:22-23), and the complete redemptive acts and processes of which the law was a shadow (Heb. 10:1) were all predicted by the prophets. The way into the holiest by the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:19), the power and authority of every believer to do the works of Christ (John 14:12), and many other truths and experiences were unknown to the prophets.

‘Epaphras’ – mentioned only here (4:12; Phm. 1:23). He was a fellow prisoner of Paul in Rome and a minister of the gospel. He was one of the Colossian believers (4:12).

Give Thanks

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Colossians 1:3-5 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

‘Give thanks’ – We have to give thanks to God in all things for all things at all times. Many examples in Scripture: It is good to give thanks unto the Lord (Ps. 92:1). Give thanks in the remembrance of His holiness (Ps. 97:12). Give thanks unto His holy name (Ps. 106:47). Give thanks unto the Lord (Ps. 105:1; 106:1; 107:1; 118:1, 29). Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. Give thanks to Him, for His mercy endures forever. (Ps. 107:1). Give thanks to God because of His righteous judgments (Ps. 119:62). Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever (Ps. 136:1, 26). The righteous shall give thanks unto Thy name: the upright shall dwell in Thy presence (Ps. 140:13). Give thanks to God in Jesus’ name (Eph. 5:20). Giving thanks to God and the Father by Him (Col. 3:17). Give thanks always in all things (1Thess. 5:18). Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name (Heb.13:15). 

‘Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints.’ Six blessings of the Colossians: They had faith in Jesus Christ (1:4). They had a love for all saints. They had hope for eternal life (1:5; Tit. 1:2). They heard the truth of the gospel. They bore fruit (1:6). They knew the grace of God in truth.

‘We heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints.’ Compare this statement with Ephesians 1:15. The two epistles are very similar in doctrine and phraseology.

‘Laid up’ [Greek: apokeimai] stored away.

To the Saints and Faithful

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Colossians 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

‘An apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.’ An apostle by the will of God. No man had anything to do with the calling and training of Paul. The Greek word apostolos means a delegate, one sent with the full power of attorney to act in the place of another, the sender remaining behind to back up the one sent. In the case of the apostles, it meant that God sent them to do what He, Himself would do if He went. It is translated apostle 78 times; messenger twice (2Cor. 8:23; Php. 2:25); and once he that is sent (John 13:16).

‘Timotheus’ – this is Timothy who was converted by Paul on his first trip (Acts 14:6-7 with 1Tim. 1:2). Part Jew and Greek, uncircumcised, but a good Christian (Acts 16:1-3). A miracle worker like Paul (1Cor. 16:10). Paul’s companion from here on (2:19; Acts 16:1-3; 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Rom. 16:21; 1Cor. 4:17). On a mission (Heb. 13:23). It is believed by some that he was Paul’s scribe in writing Hebrews and Galatians. He had the gifts of the Spirit (1Tim. 4:14; 2Tim. 1:6). He was a great student of Scripture (2Tim. 1:5; 2:15; 3:15).

‘Saints’ are those that are born again and will most definitely be faithful. All saved people are called saints in the Word of God (Acts 9:13, 32, 41; 26:10; Rom. 1:7; 1Cor. 1:2; 6:1-2; 2Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Php. 1:1; Col. 1:2; 2Thess. 1:10; Jude 1:3; Rev. 5:8; 13:7, 10; 17:6), not sinners as most claim to justify sinful behaviour. Even though all saints were born in sin and had to come to Christ, repent and be justified in Him to qualify for this appellation. There are also no grounds for making people saints after death.

‘Colosse’ – A city of Phrygia just a few miles from Laodicea. Both cities disappeared so completely that only in recent times have the sites been discovered. Eusebius states that Colosse perished in an earthquake a short time after the writing of this epistle.

‘Grace be unto you’ – best greeting ever! Blessing another person with grace – that which Christ accomplished on the cross (redemption and healing) through which we are reconciled with the Father whereby He then has access to us to protect and provide for us.

‘God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’ – Another clear reference to two separate and distinct persons (1Jn. 5:7). One is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the other is the Son of the Father (2Jn. 1:3; John 3:16).