Tag: Life

Beloved Brother

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Colossians 4:7-13 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner salutes you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom you received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him)

‘A beloved brother’ – is a fraternal epithet among Christians (Acts 9:17; 21:20; 2Cor. 2:13; Heb. 2:11-12; 1Pet. 1:22). From Hebrews 2:11-12 we see that Christ, who is the great Sanctifier, sets apart and consecrates men to the service of God. They who are sanctified or thus consecrated and set apart to the service of God, are all one, in the same family, and are called brethren – that includes male and female (Gal. 3:28), because we represent the male body of Christ just as the nation Israel as the wife of God, in the Old Testament, was representatives as God’s nation. 

‘Tychicus’ – One of the trusted companions of Paul and probably an Ephesian. (Eph 6:21; 2Tim. 4:12; Tit. 3:12).

‘Onesimus’ – A runaway slave of Philemon, a native of Colosse, and converted by Paul in Rome (Phm. 1:10).

‘Aristarchus’ – A Macedonian who was a companion of Paul and a prisoner with him at Rome (Acts 19:29; 27:2; Phm. 1:24).

‘Marcus’ – John Mark is the author of the gospel of Mark. He was the nephew of Barnabas (Col. 4:10) and a disciple of Jesus (Acts 12:12). Paul and Barnabas took him on the first missionary journey but he got homesick and left the party (Acts 12:25; 13:5, 13). Paul and Barnabas separated over Mark when they started on the second missionary journey (Acts 15:33-39). He was a convert of Peter (1Pet. 5:13). He later worked with Paul (Col. 4:10-11; 2Tim. 4:11; Phm. 1:24).

Continue in Prayer

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Colossians 4:2-6 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man. 

‘Continue’ [Greek: proskartereo] to be earnest toward a thing; persevere; be constantly diligent; attend to it continually or regularly (Rom. 12:12). If all this would be practised in prayer, it would be easy to: Mortify the members (3:5). Put off the old man (3:8). Put on the new man (3:10). Do the 12 things of note from Colossians 3:17. Submit to husbands as to Christ (3:18). Love wives without bitterness (3:19). Obey parents in all things (3:20). Love the children (3:21). Serve masters as unto God (3:22-25). Be just towards servants (4:1).

Every person struggling with any of the above problems will do well to pray for the grace to help him. Wives should pray for the grace to submit to their husbands; husbands for grace to love their wives and be cured of bitterness; children for grace to obey parents; fathers for wisdom to deal with their children; servants and masters for grace to solve their problems, and all Christians should pray to overcome all selfishness and live right.

‘Prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.’ Eight practices for all believers: Continuing in prayer (4:2). Watching continually in prayer. Giving continued thanks to God. Praying for ministers and their work (4:3). Praying for the success of the gospel (4:3-4). Living Christian life before men (4:5). Using time for God. Being tactful with men (4:6).

‘Seasoned’ [Greek: artuo] spice, seasoning. Let your speech be always spiced and seasoned with answers that will oppose sin and preserve from the corruption thereof. Let it be holy, wise, gracious, Christian, savoury, wholesome, courteous, respectful, desirable, and worthy of being kept in the memory of others.

Children and Fathers

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Colossians 3:20-21 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 

‘Children, obey your parents in all things.’ Ephesians 6:1-3 expand on these commandments: To obey parents and to honour them, with the reasons that firstly it is right; it is a commandment (Ex. 20:12); it is a blessing of well-being and long life is promised. Threefold blessing to those who remember and keep the commandments (Prov. 3:1-2): Length of days (Prov. 3:2, 16; 4:10; 9:11). A long life (1Pet. 3:10-11). Peace (Isa. 26:3).

Parents must teach their children the importance of obedience otherwise they fail God and their children (Prov. 15:32).

‘Fathers, provoke not your children to anger.’ Fathers are not allowed to provoke their children to wrath. They must avoid making sport of them (Prov. 26:17-19); severity, anger and cruelty. Cruel parents generally have rebellious children. Correct them, do not punish them. Punishment is from a principle of revenge; correction is from a principle of loving concern. Bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The mind is to be nourished with wholesome discipline and instruction which will bend them toward God and Christian living (Eph. 6:4).

‘Be discouraged’ [Greek: athumeo] have their spirit broken.

Whatsoever You Do

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Colossians 3:14-17 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be you thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 

‘Charity’ – Divine love is to be put on as the outer garment and finishing touch to a well-dressed Christian. After putting on the eight other things of Colossians 3:10, one is to put on this outer cloak as the bond of perfectness or as a girdle. It is to cover all, unite all, and bind all together as one. This is true perfection (Matt. 5:43-48; 1Cor. 13:1-13).

‘Rule’ [Greek: brabeuo] to be an umpire; to arbitrate, direct, and govern.

‘Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs’ – Spiritual songs mean those of the spiritual life and the given psalms.

‘Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.’ Twelve obligations of the Christian life: Seek those things above (3:1). Set affections on things above (3:2) and mortify all sinful members (3:5-7). Put off the old man (3:8-9). Put on the new man (3:10-12). Forbear with all men (3:13; 1Cor. 13:1-13). Forgive all men (3:13; Matt. 18:35). Put on divine love (3:14; 1Cor. 13:1-13). Let peace umpire the life (3:15). Know the Bible (3:15; 2Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17). Teach and admonish one another (3:16). Use the Christian’s power of attorney (3:17; John 16:23).

When we do anything to mortify the flesh we are disobedient to this commandment of doing everything – in word and deed – in the name of the Lord. No selfishness, self-pride, self-gain or self-glory can be done in His name, for all the glory belongs to Him and Him alone (1Cor. 10:31).

With Him in Glory

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Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory. 

‘When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.’ This is the 1st New Testament prophecy in Colossians (3:4,) and is still unfulfilled. When is not stated, but the fact of it is (John 14:1-3; 1Thess. 4:16). This refers to the rapture.

‘Our life’ – Eternal life is in Jesus Christ (John 17:2-3; Rom. 5:10; 1Jn. 5:11-13).

‘Appear’ [Greek: phaneroo] to make visibly manifest. Translated “make manifest” (3:4; 1:26; John 1:31; 3:21; 9:3; Rom. 16:26; 1Cor. 4:5; 2Cor. 2:14; 4:10-11; 5:11; 11:6; Eph. 5:13; 2Tim. 1:10; Heb. 9:8; 1Jn. 2:19; Rev. 15:4); “manifest” (Mark 4:22; John 17:6; Rom. 3:21; Tit. 1:3; 1Jn. 1:2; 3:5, 8; 4:9); “manifest forth” (John 2:11); “declare manifestly” (2Cor. 3:3); “be manifest” (1Tim. 3:16; 1Pet. 1:20); “show one’s self” (John 21:1, 14); and “appear” (Mark 16:12, 14; 2Cor. 5:10; 7:12; Col. 3:4; Heb. 9:26; 1Pet. 5:4; 1Jn. 2:28; 3:2; Rev. 3:18). Here it means to make Himself visibly manifest to those whom He translates or causes to meet Him in the air (John 14:1-3; 1Thess. 4:16-17; 1Jn. 2:28; 3:2). It is in glory that we shall apear with Him. We must first appear with Him in the glory of heaven before we come back with Him in His glory to the earth to reign (John 14:1-3; 1Thess. 2:12; 4:16-17; Eph. 5:27; Jude 1:24). The word “glory” is used of heaven in 1Timothy 3:16 and 2Peter 1:17.

Complete in Him

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Colossians 2:10-11 And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ

‘Complete in him’ –  we need nothing more when we are in Him [in unity] (John 15:1-7). The so-called doctrine of interpenetration, that is, persons entering physical into each other, is false. The Bible does speak of the Corinthians and Philippians being in Paul’s heart (2Cor. 7:3; Php. 1:7); God being in Christ (2Cor. 5:19); Christ being in God (John 14:20); God and Christ being in each other (John 14:10-11); men being in both the Father and the Son (1Jn. 2:24); men being in Christ (2Cor. 5:17); men and the Spirit being in each other (Rom. 8:9); Christ being in men (Col. 1:27; Rom. 8:10); man and Christ being in each other (John 14:20); all creation being in God (Acts 17:28); and satan entering into men (Luke 22:3; John 13:27). However, these passages refer to being in union with, being consecrated to the same end – one in mind, purpose, and life. They do not teach the physical entrance of one being into another. It may be best understood by a man and woman becoming one in life together, being in each other’s plans, life, etc.

‘In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.’ Literally, in Him, you have been circumcised, not by cutting the flesh, but by the circumcision of Christ in putting off the body of sins of the flesh. Christ became circumcised and fulfilled all the Law to become a true mediator between God and man. Now through Him, we are freed from all Mosaic law observance and have been redeemed through the work of Christ on the cross (2:11-17; 1:14, 20-25; 1Pet. 2:24).

Perfect in Christ Jesus

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Colossians 1:26-29 Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily. 

‘The mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints.’ This mystery is that the Gentiles should be partakers with the Jews in the gospel and be in the same Christian congregations (Eph. 2:14-22; 3:1-7; 1Cor. 12:13), and be partakers of Christ (1:27). Nothing is hidden in the Word of God for all was given to us in writing as revealed by God through the prophets and apostles (Heb. 1:1-2). This was just something not previously explained or understood. God is not a mysterious God as most people believe, He revealed Himself to us through His divine library of 66 that He revealed over 1,800 years to more than 40 authors.

‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ Fourteen facts about Christ: Head of the kingdom (1:13; Rev. 20:1-15). Redeemer (1:14; Matt. 26:28; Gal. 4:5). Image of the invisible God (1:15). Firstborn of every creature (1:16). Creator of all things. An eternal Being (1:17; Mic. 5:2). Upholder of all things (Heb. 1:3). Head of His body of believers (1:18, 24; Eph. 5:1-33). The originator of all things. Firstborn from the dead. The pre-eminent One (1:18-19; 2:9). The fullness of God (1:19; 2:9) and the Mediator between God and man (1:20-22; 2Cor. 5:14-21; 1Tim. 2:4-6). The indweller of saints (1:27; Luke 22:3).

‘Perfect in Christ Jesus’ – Perfect [Greek: teleios] mature; complete. It is used for full growth, as men, and not children, in Christian knowledge – thoroughly instructed and deeply experienced (2Cor. 2:6; 14:20; Eph. 4:13; Jas. 1:4; 3:2; Heb. 5:14; 1Jn. 4:18). This kind of perfection refers to the complete and glorified state we will reach in Christ in the hereafter. We are warned many times in Scripture to be perfect now in this life already which means utter simplicity, sincerity, being free from guile and evil intention toward anyone; having no part lacking in outward life, conduct, and religion. It does not mean sinless perfection or being without any tendencies to evil, for we can still choose to act selfishly or sin.

‘I also labour, striving according to his working.’ To be able to present every man perfect in Christ (1:28), Paul laboured with all his might by the mighty power God has given to him.

The Dispensation of God

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Colossians 1:24-25 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God 

‘Fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake.’ To complete, not the sufferings of Christ for our sins, but that which all believers are called to suffer for Christ’s body and truth (Rom. 8:18; 2Tim. 3:12).

‘Dispensation of God which is given to me for you.’ There are five dispensations named in Scripture: The dispensation or administration of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-9). Dispensation of the gospel (1Cor. 9:17), which is Paul’s administration of the gospel of grace. The dispensation of the grace of God (Eph. 3:2); is the same as the dispensation of the gospel. The dispensation of God (Col. 1:25 – God’s own administration of grace given to Paul; the same as pt. 2). The dispensation of the fullness of times, in which God gathers together all things in heaven and the earth in Christ ridding the earth of all rebellion (Eph. 1:10; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:1-15).

Seven dispensations of man are noted beside the dispensation of angels (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17) and the eternal dispensation of the redeemed and faithful angels (Rev. 21-22; Isa. 66:22-24; 2Pet. 3:13), there are seven dispensations of man between the restoration of the earth from chaos (Gen. 1:3 – 2:25) and the New Heavens and the New Earth: the dispensation of Innocence (Gen. 3:1-24); the dispensation of Conscience (Gen. 4-8); the dispensation of Human Government (Gen. 9-11); the dispensation of Promise (Gen. 12:1- Ex. 12:36); the dispensation of Law (Ex. 12:37 – Matt. 3); the dispensation of Grace (Matt.  3:1 – Rev. 19-21); the dispensation of Divine Government during the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-15).

‘To fulfil the word of God’ – To preach the gospel in all fullness (Rom. 15:29).

Continue in the Faith

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Colossians 1:23 If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister 

‘If you continue …’ One of 1,522 IFs in Scripture and all of them express a condition if one of them does (Deut. 8:19; Ezek. 33:13, 18; John 8:31-36; 15:6, 10, 14; Rom. 8:12-13; 11:23; 1Cor. 3:17; 15:2; Gal. 6:1; 1Thess. 3:8; 2Tim. 2:11-13, 21; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:4-9; 10:26-39; 2Pet. 1:4-10; 2:20-22; 1Jn. 1:7).

‘Continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.’ Four conditions for the blessings of Colossians 1:22: Continue in the faith. Continue grounded in the faith. Continue settled in the faith. Be not moved away from hope.

‘Hope of the gospel’ – The hope of eternal life (Acts 23:6; Rom. 8:21-25; Col. 1:27; Tit. 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; Heb. 3:6; 1Pet. 1:5-13).

‘Every creature which is under heaven.’ The gospel is offered to every creature under heaven without restrictions or limitations, but all have not heard of it as yet. The figure of speech, synecdoche: a whole is put for a part, as in Genesis 6:17; 2Samuel 6:5, 15; 1Kings 11:16-17; Daniel 2:37-38; 7:23; Matthew 3:5-6; Luke 2:1-3; Romans 1:8; Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 13:8, 16.

Having Made Peace

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Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 

‘Having made peace through the blood of his cross.’ Justification is used for the final settlement between people (Job 11:2; 13:18; 27:5; 32:2; 33:32; Pro. 17:15; Luke 10:29; 16:15); of people clearing God of all wrong (Ps. 51:4; Luke 7:29; Rom. 3:26); and of people justifying themselves of all guilt (Jer. 3:11; Ezek. 16:51-52; Job 9:20; 13:18; 32:2; Luke 16:15). Thus, the meaning is clear – to declare not guilty. The justification of man by God simply means that God washes, sanctifies the believer, and declares him no longer guilty (1Cor. 6:9-11; 2Cor. 5:17-18; Acts 13:38-39). God cannot declare one not guilty before he is cleansed from all sin and made holy by the blood of Christ. Sanctification makes the sinner not guilty; justification declares him not guilty. This alone is the function of the blood of Christ: cleaning from sin which makes us holy. Pleading the blood of Christ over us for protection is unscriptural and wrong for protection from God comes from being reconciled with the Father who is the one we have to “dwell with” and “abide under” as commanded in Psalm 91.

‘To reconcile all things unto himself.’ [Greek: katallasso] change from enmity to friendship, reconcile (Rom. 5:10; 1Cor. 7:11; 2Cor. 5:18-20). God was in Christ, reconciling people to Himself. He does not impute sin to those who have confessed and are reconciled to Him (Rom. 4:7-8). God has committed to the reconciled [us] the word of reconciliation. God has made the reconciled ambassadors for Christ reconciling others by their example (2Cor. 5:20; Rom. 5:10). God made Christ a sin-offering, so that man might become righteous (2Cor. 5:21).

‘I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.’ This will be completed in the Millennium (1Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 20:1-15).