The
Colossians
(NIV)
By
Syd Cleveland
(©
1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and Revised
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APOSTLE = The Greek “apostolos” (Strongs #G652) is a
naval term meaning "delegate, ambassador, one who is commissioned, an
ambassador."
WILL = The Greek “thelema” (Strongs #G2307) means
"choice, determination."
“It is the
result of the will. ‘Will’ (is) not to be conceived as a demand,
but as an expression or inclination of pleasure towards that which is liked,
that which pleases and creates joy. When it denotes God’s will, it
signifies His gracious disposition toward something. Used to designate what God
Himself does of His own good pleasure.” – The Complete WordStudy
Dictionary, Zodhiates, AMG
IN CHRIST = We are "in Christ" when we hear and believe
the Gospel (Ephesians
FAITH AND LOVE = Both spring from the hope we have in heaven as a
result of the Gospel. Also see verse 23.
ALL OVER THE WORLD = Hyperbole indicating that Christianity is not
just a local/regional religion. See
comment on Colossians 1:23.
LEARNED IT = The Greek “manthano” (Strongs #G3129)
means “to learn, to understand.”
The Colossians learned the Gospel (Colossians 1:5) from Epaphras'
witnessing.
EPAPHRAS = Ep-a-fras means "lovely." Epaphras was a missionary in
LOVE IN THE SPIRIT = The Greek “agapay” (Strongs #G26)
is a self-sacrificing, principled love.
It does not depend upon feelings, is not swayed by disappointments, and
never fails. This love is a gift of the
Holy Spirit (Galatians
SINCE THE DAY WE HEARD OF IT = I.e. heard of “your love in
the Spirit” (Colossians 1:8).
KNOWLEDGE = The Greek “epignosis” (Strongs #G1922)
means one “recognizes, or has a knowledge” of something.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL = See commentary on Colossians 1:1 and 2
Peter 1:3.
PLEASE HIM = A Christian’s primary duty is not to
“please” the church, a spouse, his peers, or others. A Christian’s primary duty is to
“live a life worthy of the Lord,” and to “please Him in every
way.” This includes “bearing
fruit in every good work” and “growing in the knowledge of
God.” This requires being daily
“strengthened with all (God’s) power” (Colossians
GROWING = Not "groaning" in our walk with Christ (See Matthew
ENDURANCE = The Greek “hupomonay” (Strongs #G5281)
means “to persevere, patiently endure” adverse circumstances
without giving up. A Christians is able
to endure bad times because he has “hope” (1 Thessalonians
1:3). This portion of the verse is
speaking about enduring difficult things, not difficult people.
PATIENCE = The Greek “makrothumia” (Strongs #G3115) is
used when speaking about enduring difficult people. It means “having self-restraint, being
long-suffering.”
HAS QUALIFIED YOU = The Greek “hikanoo” (Strongs
#G2427) means “complete, worthy, qualified, fully sufficient”. Here it is past tense. As saved Christians we do not live under the
cloud of uncertainty due to our imperfections, instead, we are
“qualified” because of Christ's perfection. See Colossians 1:13-14; and 1 John 4:18.
HE = In context, “he” refers to the Father (verse 12).
HAS RESCUED US = The Greek “rhuomai” (Strongs #G4506)
means “to drag along the ground, snatch from danger, rescue.” Here it is a 3P Sing 1Aor Mid Ind meaning:
"He has rescued us at one particular moment in the past." Through Jesus' death on the cross, God has
already rescued us if we apply Christ's sacrifice to our life (see Colossians
1:20-21; John 3:16).
BROUGHT US = The Greek “methistano” (Strongs #G3179)
means “a change of condition or standing, to translate”. Here it is a 3P Sing 1Aor
INTO THE KINGDOM = Jesus established the
IN WHOM = Outside/apart from Jesus Christ there is no redemption or
forgiveness for sin (see 1 John 5:1).
WE HAVE REDEMPTION = The Greek “apolutrosis” (Strongs
#G629) means “to redeem or deliver by paying a ransom.” Here it is a 1Per Pl Pres Act
HE = Jesus Christ, God's son by incarnation (Colossians
HE IS THE IMAGE = The Greek "eikon"/Icon (Strongs #G1504)
is the name for artist's drawings, small religious pictures found in the Greek
Orthodox Church. Thus Jesus is in the
same "image" or "exact representation" of God (see Hebrews
1:3). Jesus' mission on earth was to
show/picture to us what God is truly like (John 14:8-10); just as I am to show
my neighbors what Jesus is truly like (2 Corinthians 3:3).
FIRSTBORN = The Greek “prototokos” (Strongs #G4416)
means “the first brought forth, preeminent.” The Greek literally reads: “preeminent
over ever creature.” A
“creature” is defined as a “living being.” Thus this text literally teaches that Christ
is preeminent over every living being, including God (see Philippians
2:9-11). Notice the usages of this word
“firstborn” in 1 Chronicles 1:13 where it is literally translated:
"
Psalms 89:27
speaks of David as the last-born son of Jesse, but God made David "the
most exalted"/"firstborn."
Jehovah’s
Witnesses err by teaching this text states Christ was created, and is the
highest of God’s created beings.
The JWs believe in a pantheon of two gods: “Jehovah” God
(with a capital “G”), and “Jesus” god (with a lower
case “g”). This heresy
completely undermines their criticism of Christianity’s doctrine of the
Trinity (in which they wrongly complain that Christians worship three gods).
The question to ask the JW is: How could Jesus be God's
firstborn in the sense of being the highest created being when King David
already held that title a thousand years before Christ's birth (Psalm 89:20,
27)? The fact is: the word
“firstborn” does not even suggest that Jesus is a created being,
but rather clearly states Jesus is eternal God over all creation. Consider the following:
Romans
Colossians
Colossians 1:16-17
states Jesus: “created all things,” and is “before all
things.” Thus He existed before
all created things and therefore could not have created Himself.
Colossians 1:18
states Jesus is: "firstborn from among the dead" (in the sense that
He is supreme among those who have died.
This is all so that Christ will be supreme in all things! See Colossians 2:9 for proof that "all
the fullness of the Deity lives in Christ in bodily form" (thus as a
member of the Godhead/Trinity, Jesus is fully divine).
Revelation 1:5
states Jesus is "firstborn from the dead" (in the sense the He is
supreme among those who have died and have been/will be resurrected). Thus not even the realm of death is superior
to Jesus.
Jesus was not
"born" of created things, He was "born" of God (the Holy Spirit)
at His incarnation (1 John 5:1; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 20:31); therefore
Jesus is not a created being. His birth
at Bethlehem was His incarnation, not His creation (John 1:1-3).
"FIRSTBORN,"
as it is used here in Colossians 1:15, means Jesus is "supreme over all
creation," not that He is created -- just as the Father is supreme over
all creation and not a created being. In
addition, Jesus is BEFORE ALL THINGS (Colossians 1:17; 2 Timothy 1:9). Jesus CREATED ALL THINGS (Colossians
1:16). In Jesus ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER
(Colossians 1:17). Jesus is SUPREME OVER
THE CHURCH (Colossians 1:18). Jesus is
SUPREME OVER THE DEAD (Colossians 1:18).
Jesus is SUPREME IN EVERYTHING (Colossians 1:18; Philippians
2:9-11). And at the same time, Jesus is FULLY
DIVINE: Colossians 2:9. God is God
because God is not created. By simple
definition, God is preexistent and preeminent over all His creation.
OVER ALL = Greek "pasays" (Strongs #G3956) is in the
genitive case and defines the noun "firstborn" by attributing a
quality or relationship to the noun (Dana and Mantey, p. 74). The grammar indicates Jesus holds the title
of “firstborn” over all created things, meaning: He is preeminent
over all created things, not that He is one of the created things. An example of this is seen in John 3:3; 3:5
where the phrase "kingdom of God" means “God's kingdom,”
and not that "God is a kingdom"!
CREATION = The Greek "tkisayos" (Strongs #G2937) means
"every created thing." The
sense is not that Jesus is superior to the Godhead/Trinity (because they are
not created), but that He is superior to every created thing (1 Corinthians
15:28). In the Godhead Jesus is equal
but has distinct functions of His own.
Col 1:16
BY HIM = The Greek “en” (Strongs #G1722) means
“in, on, by, through.” Here
“en” clearly means: by whose aid or intervention, through whom
anything is done. For example:
Matthew 9:34 “It
is by (“en”) the prince of demons that he drives out
demons.” (I.e. “Through the
power
of demons.”)
Acts 17:28 “For in
(“en”) Him we live and move and have our being.” (I.e. “Through the power of
Christ.”)
1 Corinthians
15:22 “For as in (‘en)
Adam all die, so in (“en”) Christ all will be made
alive.” (I.e. “Through the
power of Adam/Christ.”)
The grammar precisely states that God created all
things by/through Jesus Christ (John 1:3).
Thus Christ had to preexist all created things in order to create them
and therefore could not be a created being himself.
ALL THINGS = See commentary on Colossians
WERE CREATED: THINGS IN = The Greek “kitzo” (Strongs
#G2936) is a 3Per Sing 1Aor Pas Ind meaning: "All things (he/she) were
created at one particular moment in time."
A parallel concept concerning our reconciliation and salvation is
brought out in Colossians 1:22. When we
compare this statement about Jesus Christ and compare it with Ecclesiastes 11:5
we are compelled to acknowledge that the Bible calls Jesus Christ
"God."
POWERS ... AUTHORITIES = See Colossians 2:10.
WERE CREATED BY HIM = Again, the Greek “kitzo” (Strongs
#G2936) is used, but here is a 3Per Sing Perf Pass Ind meaning: "All
things (he/she) have been created at one particular moment in the past and
continue to exist right up to the present." When the Creation account of Genesis chapters
1 and 2 are read in the context of the grammar of Colossians 1:16, the
evolutionary theory requiring long eons is categorically ruled out by Scripture.
Col 1:17
BEFORE ALL THINGS = See commentary on Colossians 1:16, 17.
IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER = See commentary on Colossians 1:16
and Hebrews 1:3.
Col 1:18
HEAD OF THE BODY = A metaphor/analogy indicating the supremacy of
Christ over the church. Not only is the
“head” the highest elevation of our physical body, but it is also
the most important part of a physical body.
BEGINNING = The Greek “arche” (Strongs #G746) is used
here as a figurative term meaning "preeminent, greatest, supreme."
“Christ is
called ‘the beginning’ because He is the efficient cause of
Creation; the ‘head’ because He is before all things, and all
things were created by and for Him (see John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews
1:10).” – The Complete WordStudy Dictionary, Zodhiates, AMG
Notice that Abel was literally the first to die
(Genesis 4:8); but Christ is supreme/preeminent among those who have died.
FIRSTBORN = See commentary on Colossians 1:15.
FROM AMONG THE DEAD = Of all those raised from the dead, Jesus is
supreme. In 1 Corinthians 15:20 He is
figuratively referred to as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen
asleep." Also see comments on
Colossians 1:15-17. To be in Christ's
church we must die to sin and be raised to life in Christ.
SO THAT = The purpose of this analogy is to present the supremacy
of Christ, not to teach that He is a created being.
SUPREMACY = The Greek “proteuo” (Strongs #G4409)
meaning “one who is first, who holds the highest rank, who is preeminent
over all.” This is the only place
this word is used in the Bible. Jesus is
also presented as supreme/preeminent
over all things in Philippians 2:9-11.
Supreme means "highest in rank or authority; highest in degree or quality;
ultimate or final."
Col 1:19
PLEASED = The Greek “eudokeo” (Strongs #G2106) means
"to consider good, to be well-pleased, to consent, to determine, to be
resolved."
FULLNESS = The Greek “pleroma” (Strongs #G4138) means
“sum total, super-abundance, nothing lacking, nothing diminished in any
way.” See commentary on Colossians
2:9.
DWELL = The Greek “katoikeo” (Strongs #G2730) means
"to live permanently." See
commentary on Colossians 2:9. Even as
the “God-man,” Christ’s “God-ness” was permanent.
Some wrongly conclude that because of
Christ’s divinity He had an advantage we do not have. However, rather than helping Him in His
battles with Satan, Christ’s divinity was a liability: He had to
constantly subdue His divinity by resisting the temptation to use it to His
advantage (see Matthew 26:53-54).
Col 1:20
TO RECONCILE = The Greek “apokatalasso” (Strongs #G604)
means “to reconcile, to restore.”
God's purpose through Christ's physical death (Colossians 1:22) is to
reconcile/reunite us with Himself by wiping out the sins that separate us from
Him. This is not the action of an angry
god, but of a loving God.
BLOOD = Without the shedding of Jesus' blood we have no forgiveness
or reconciliation with God (see Hebrews 9:22).
Col 1:21
BECAUSE OF = Marginal translation "as shown by your evil
behavior" is more likely correct since evil behavior is generally the
result of an evil mind (Isaiah 32:6; Romans 1:28-32; 12:2).
Col 1:22
HE HAS RECONCILED YOU = 3Per Sing 1Aor Act Ind "He has
reconciled you at a particular moment in the past." Just as through Christ "all things were
created" at a particular moment of time in the past (Colossians 1:16), in
the same way Christ "has reconciled" us at a particular moment in the
past. Our reconciliation/salvation was
secured through Jesus' death on the cross (see commentary on Colossians 1:20).
FREE FROM ACCUSATION = The Greek "anegkletos" (Strongs
#G410) means "without accusation."
It is a legal term specifically meaning "free from any legal
charge." Through the reconciliation
that comes through Christ we have no fear when we stand before God. Also see 1 Corinthians 1:8; Colossians 1:22;
1 Timothy 3:10; Titus 1:6-7.
BY = See commentary on Colossians 1:20. Our holiness in God's sight is the result of
Christ's death; not the result of our deeds/works.
CHRIST'S PHYSICAL BODY = Christ's incarnation contradicts the
teaching of Gnosticism that He simply appeared to be a human and thus was not
tainted by a material body (1 John 1:1-2; Luke 24:39).
THROUGH DEATH = Christ's death paid the penalty for our sins, and
reconciled us through grace. Therefore
our works/deeds cannot affect our reconciliation.
TO PRESENT YOU HOLY = The Greek “hagios” (Strongs #G40)
means “holy, set apart, consecrated, sanctified. The purpose of our
reconciliation through Christ is so we can be presented to God holy. Paul's gospel ministry was designed to assist
in this reconciliation (verses 23, 25, 28, 29).
As Christians, we also assist in this work (Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark
16:15).
“’Hagios’
– Its fundamental idea is separation, consecration, devotion to the
service of deity, sharing in God’s purity, and abstaining from
earth’s defilement.” – The Complete WordStudy Dictionary,
Zodhiates, AMG
IN HIS SIGHT = Our holiness is from God's viewpoint as He looks at
us through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Our holiness is never seen from our viewpoint, for the Holy Spirit continues to convict us of our
on-going sins (John 16:7-8). Our
holiness is never the result of our good works (Isaiah 64:6; Matthew 5:20).
WITHOUT BLEMISH ... ACCUSATION = The Greek “amomos”
(Strongs #G299) means "blameless, without blemish." “In classical Greek, used as a
technical word to designate the absence of something amiss in a sacrifice or
something which would render it unworthy to be offered.” – The
Complete WordStudy Dictionary, Zodhiates, AMG.
The Greek “anegkletos” (Strongs #G410) means
“unaccused, unaccusable, free from legal charges,
irreproachable.” If God is for us,
who can be against us? See Romans
8:31-32.
HERE ****
Col 1:23
IF YOU CONTINUE = 2Per Pl Pres Act Ind "If you continually
continue to continue." Our
salvation is always dependent upon our choice to continually apply the blood of
Jesus Christ to our life. Our ultimate
physical entry into Christ's kingdom requires that I continuously choose to
fulfill God's requirements for being there.
See Colossians 2:6, 7.
HOPE = The Greek “elpis” (Strongs #G1680) does not mean
“wishful thinking.” Instead
“elpis” means anticipating something in the absolute expectation of
receiving it. Faith and love spring from
the hope we have in heaven as a result of the gospel. Also see Colossians 1:5.
EVERY CREATURE = Hyperbole indicating the far-reaching extent of
Christianity. Also see Colossians 1:6
and Matthew 24:4.
Col 1:25
COMMISSION = Paul received his Gospel commission after he was
blinded on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:15; 26:16-18).
WORD OF GOD = This phrase
("word of God") is used
throughout Scripture to mean:
(1) a prophecy or
directive from God to a prophet (1 Chronicles 17:3-4; Luke 3:2);
(2) the entire
cannon of Scripture (Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 15:6);
(3) the spoken
word/preaching (Acts 4:31; 6:2-4);
(4) the
"sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17);
(5) "Christ in
you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:25-27);
(6) literally the
word from God (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
(7) In John 10:35,
"the word of God" is synonymous with "the Scripture."
(8) In Acts 6:7;
8:14, "the word of God" is synonymous with Christianity.
(9) In Revelation
19:13 "the Word of God" is a title for Jesus Christ.
Col 1:26
MYSTERY = The Greek “musterion” (Strongs #G3466) means
“secret knowledge, something hidden, not disclosed.” This mystery is explained as "Christ in
you" (Colossians 1:27) and, in its simplest form, is "Christ"
(Colossians 2:2).
This
"mystery" is "the purpose of God, unknown to man except by
revelation. This word
("mystery") was a popular, pagan religious term, used in the mystery
religions to refer to secret information available only to an exclusive group
of people. Paul changes that meaning
radically by always combining it with words such as 'disclosed' (as here in
Colossians 1:26), 'made known' (Ephesians 1:9), 'make plain' (Ephesians 3:9)
and 'revelation' (Romans 16:25). The
Christian mystery is not secret knowledge for a few. It is a revelation of divine truths -- once
hidden but now openly proclaimed." -- NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, note on
Colossians 1:27.
Col 1:27
TO THEM = The "saints" of verse 26.
MYSTERY = The Greek “musterion” (Strongs #G3466) means
“secret knowledge, something hidden, not disclosed.” See commentary on verse 26.
In context,
"the mystery is the fact that Christ indwells Gentiles, for it had not
been previously revealed that the Gentiles would be admitted to the church on
equal terms with Israel." -- NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, note on
Colossians 1:27
CHRIST IN YOU = This is the "mystery" that has been made
known to the Gentiles through the Gospel.
"Frequently
it is said that the believer is 'in Christ.'
Jesus spoke of the believers as in Him (John 14:20), and in his Epistles
Paul again and again speaks of believers as being in Christ (Romans 6:11;
8:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:13; Colossians 2:11 ff.). This is (also) true of the Johannine Epistles
(1 John 2:6; 4:13; cf. 2 John 1:9).
Often it is also said that Christ is in the believer (John 14:20; Romans
8:10; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27).
Indeed, Jesus declares that both He and the Father dwell in the believer
(John 14:23). The believer is,
furthermore, represented as partaking of Christ (John 6:53, 56 ff.; 1
Corinthians 10:16 ff.) and of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), and as being one
spirit with the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:17).
God's seed remains in him (1 John 3:9).
"To
understand what this union is not, certain concepts must be discarded. First, this union is not the mystical union
of the pantheist. Scripture knows of no
union between God or Christ and the unregenerate. Nor is it a mere moral union, a union of love
and sympathy, as between friends.
Jonathan's soul was knit with the soul of David (1 Samuel 18:1), but the
believer's union with Christ transcends all such union of interests and
purpose. Nor yet is it a union of
essence by which the human personality is destroyed or absorbed into Christ or
God. ... The Scriptures represent the relationship between Christ and the
believer as an 'I' and 'you' relationship, even in the case of those farthest
advanced in the Christian life (Philippians 3:7-14). Nor finally, is it a physical and material
union, which some claim to procure by participating in the ordinances of the
church. The ordinances, according to
Scripture, do not secure this union, for they are represented as presupposing
the union is already in existence.
"What is this
union? (1) We may say positively that it
is a spiritual union (1 Corinthians 6:17; cf. 12:13; Romans 8:9 ff.; Ephesians
3:16 ff.). The Holy Spirit is the author
of this union. (2) It is a vital union
(Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3 ff.).
(3) It is a complete union (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 5:30; cf. 1
Corinthians 6:15). (4) It is a
mysterious union (Ephesians 5:32; Colossians 1:27). (5) And finally, it is indissoluble. Jesus said, "I give eternal life to
them, and they shall never perish; and no one is able to snatch them out of My
hand" (John 10:28). Paul asks,
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"; then he
answers, "In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who
loved us" (Romans 8:35, 37; cf. verses 38 ff.). Christ gives to us eternal life, which means
that we shall never perish; in addition to this, He holds us in His hand, and
this assures us that no one shall snatch us out of His hand." -- Lectures
in Systematic Theology, Henry C. Thiessen, Eerdmans, pp. 283-284
"When
godliness is produced in you from the Life that is deep within you -- then that
godliness is real, lasting and the genuine essence of the Lord." --
Victory Over Temptation, Wilkinson, (Madame Jeanne Marie de La Mothe Guyon),
page 47.
THE HOPE OF GLORY = The Greek "elpis" (Strongs #G1680)
means "a desire for something good combined with a strong expectation of
receiving it." This "hope"
is not wishful thinking, but a strong faith that confidently expects God to
fulfill what He has promised. Jesus
Christ is our "hope of glory."
Col 1:28
WE PROCLAIM HIM = The Greek “kataggelo” (Strongs
#G2605) means “to announce, tell, declare.” "Him" is Jesus Christ (verse
27). Paul did not become side-tracked on
various issues, but focused on presenting Jesus Christ to his listeners (1
Corinthians 2:2-5).
SO THAT = The purpose of proclaiming Jesus Christ is "so that we
may present everyone perfect in Christ" (Colossians 2:2). This requires our choice to grow in grace by
continuing in Christ (Colossians 2:6; 1:23).
PERFECT = The Greek "teleios" (Strongs #5046) means
"full grown, mature" and does not mean "without sin or perfectly
without fault." See Hebrews 10:14
for the distinction between "being saved/perfect before God," and
"being sanctified/becoming mature as Christians." Our perfection is only achieved by being
"in Christ." Apart from Christ
we are imperfect in God's sight (see commentary on Colossians 1:22).
IN CHRIST = We are "in Christ" when we hear and believe
the Gospel (Ephesians 1:13); and we remain "in Christ" by holding
firmly to the end (Hebrews 3:14).
Col 1:29
STRUGGLING = The Greek
“agonizomai” (Strongs #G75) means “to fight, wrestle, strain
every muscle.” We derive our
English “agonize” from this word.
As Paul states, teaching the Gospel to lazy students and/or contending
with the enemies of the Gospel, is an exhausting agony requiring all of God’s
powerful grace indwelling the teacher.
Also see commentary on Colossians 2:1-2.
STRUGGLING = The Greek “agon” (Strongs #G73) means
“contending, striving, struggling.”
See commentary on Colossians 1:29.
HERE ***
Col 2:2
ENCOURAGED IN HEART AND UNITED IN LOVE = Prerequisites for having
the "full riches of complete understanding." What distinguishes a truly Christian church
is their love for God and their love for one another.
COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING = A prerequisite for knowing the
"mystery of God." Greek word
"sunesis" meaning the ability to asses any situation and make a good
decision. It is practical
knowledge. See commentary on 2 Peter
1:3.
MYSTERY OF GOD = Defined here as "Christ." Defined previously in Colossians 1:26-27 as
"Christ in you."
Col 2:3
IN WHOM = Defined as Christ (verse 2).
ARE HIDDEN = Greek "apokuphos" from which we get the name
Apocrypha, meaning "hidden from common sight." Like modern Masons, the Gnostics hid their
"wisdom" from the common people, and only revealed it to initiates
through secret rites and rituals. What
is "hidden" in Christ is not secret, but revealed treasure.
ALL THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE = In having Christ in us,
Christians possess true wisdom and knowledge.
Gnosticism's emphasis of secret knowledge being the requirement for
salvation is meaningless in the presence of Jesus Christ. Wisdom (Greek "sophia") is the
ability to share truth in a wise and intelligent manner. Knowledge (Greek "gnosis") is what
we would call "common sense," or the ability to know something
instinctively.
Col 2:4
FINE-SOUNDING ARGUMENTS = Men's wisdom versus the true knowledge
found in Christ.
DECEIVE YOU = The attempted deception comes by "fine-sounding
arguments"; "hollow and deceptive philosophy based on human tradition
and the principles of this world" (Colossians 2:8); "human commands
and teachings" (Colossians 2:16-23) concerning eating and drinking,
religious festivals, New Moon celebrations, Sabbath days, false humility,
worship of angels, visions, self-imposed worship, false humility, and harsh
treatment of the body -- any of the "secret knowledge" cults
(mentioned in verse 8).
Col 2:5
THOUGH I AM ABSENT FROM YOU IN BODY = Not that Paul has died, but
rather that he is not physically present with these believers (that is why he
wrote this letter to them [compare with Colossians 4:2-3]).
WITH YOU IN SPIRIT = A figure of speech (see commentary on
1Corinthians 5:3). This was written 4
years before Paul's death, thus cannot be used to support any life after death
("immortal soul") theory.
Col 2:6
YOU RECEIVED = 2P Pl 2Aor Act Ind "You-all received at one
particular point of time in the past."
CONTINUE TO LIVE = 2P Pl Pres Act Ind/Imper "You-all must keep
on walking." The Greek word
literally means "walk" rather than "live." Also see Colossians 1:23. "Continue" (according to Colossians
2:7) means to be "rooted," "built up in Him,"
"strengthened in the faith as you were taught," "overflowing
with thankfulness."
"Progress in
the Christian life is attained through living in union with Christ through
faith. This thought is expressed in a
variety of ways (see Colossians 2:6-7; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 6:10;
Colossians 2:19; Romans 13:14; Colossians 3:17)." -- Victory Over
Temptation, Wilkinson, (Neil Anderson), page 36.
Col 2:7
ROOTED ... BUILT UP IN HIM = If Jesus is the "root," good
works will be the "fruit."
Col 2:8
HOLLOW AND DECEPTIVE PHILOSOPHY = Greek word "philosophy"
means "love of wisdom." This
is the only place this word appears in all the Bible. "Philosophy" is based on human
traditions and worldly principles and wisdom; in contrast to
"theology" which is the Word of God.
HUMAN TRADITION = A great quagmire that entraps humans and
encourages them to nullify God Word (Matthew 15:3, 6, 9; Mark 7:13).
BASIC PRINCIPLES = Worldly things/rules a Christian is to
"die" to (see verse 20-22).
RATHER THAN = The contrast here is the supremacy of Christ and His
Word versus the traditions of man.
Col 2:9
FULLNESS = The Greek “pleroma” (Strongs #G4138) means
“to fill up, completely full, lacking nothing.” Here it teaches us the "sum total,
super-abundance" of Deity lives in bodily form in Jesus Christ (see
Colossians 1:19; John 1:1-4). Both the
Greek grammar and the context indicates reality not symbolism. Even in His human form Christ remained fully
Divine. This text alone disproves the
Jehovah Witness’ teaching that Jesus is a “lesser god” than
Jehovah. Scripture teaches that every
attribute of God is fully present in Jesus Christ even after the Incarnation.
LIVES = Not a temporary situation, but Deity lives permanently in
Christ according to Colossians 1:19.
BODILY = Not symbolically, but genuinely in bodily form. When Jehovah's Witnesses try to water down
this text by quoting the NWT "because it is in him that all the fullness
of the divine quality dwells bodily," point out their Kingdom Interlinear
Translation of the Greek Scriptures admits the Greek word they translate as
"divine quality" literally means "godship." Jesus is God in bodily form. Also see Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1; John 20:28;
Philippians 3:20, 21 and Revelation 1:7-8.
Col 2:10
GIVEN FULLNESS = A free gift which cannot be earned through our
good works/deeds (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Revelation 22:17).
HEAD OVER EVERY POWER AND AUTHORITY = See Colossians 1:16.
Col 2:11
DONE BY CHRIST = See 1 John 1:9.
Col 2:12
BURIED WITH HIM = Here the significance of baptism by immersion is
seen as a demonstration of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This significance is lost if a person is
baptized by sprinkling or pouring. Here
also is seen the fact that baptism represents death to sin and new life in
Christ (Colossians 2:20).
Col 2:13
WHEN YOU WERE DEAD IN YOUR SINS = The saving grace of Jesus Christ
is not given to those who have by force
of will renounced their sins. Instead,
God's grace is given FREELY to those who are "dead in (their) sins"
and who possess a "sinful nature."
Herein is the truth that "while we were still sinners Christ died
for us (Romans 5:8).
MADE YOU ALIVE WITH CHRIST = The resurrection of the sinner to a
sanctified life through grace is every bit as astonishing as the resurrection
of the dead. Christ's literal
resurrection is the physical symbol of our own resurrection from sin.
HE FORGAVE US ALL OUR SINS = This forgiveness occurs not when we
have become "holy," but "when you were dead in your
sins." God's grace is for sinners,
not for saints (Mark 2:17). See notes on
Acts 3:19.
Col 2:14
CANCELED = Greek signifies the "blotting out of a written
record." This word appears here and
also in Acts 3:19 (see notes there).
There is a fine distinction between the Old Covenant’s
"written code" and its Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are the Old Covenant God
made with the Israelites and designed to only last until Christ came (see
Galatians 3:16-19; Hebrews 8:8-9, 13; Romans 7:6). But the "written code" regulates
"what you eat or drink" as well as "religious festivals, New
Moon celebrations, (and) Sabbaths."
Jesus fulfilled both and thus both became obsolete and faded away at the
cross. Thus it was necessary to make a
New Covenant which supersedes the Old Covenant (Luke
WRITTEN CODE = The Greek literally states "handwritten
certificate of indebtedness." The
words "code, with its" are supplied by the translators and do not
appear in the original. When the Romans
crucified a criminal they listed his crime on a paper and nailed it to his
cross as his death warrant. Christ took
away the handwritten certificate of our indebtedness, and nailed it to the
cross when He forgave all our sins (Colossians 2:13).
In its simplest
terms, this written certificate of indebtedness states: "The wages of sin
is death" (Romans 6:23). By sinning
we are indebted to pay for our sins with our life. But Jesus paid our death penalty on the cross
with His life, thus blotting out our death certificate and the religious
ceremonies which pointed forward to His first coming and death on the
cross. Thus we are forgiven for our past
sins. As Christians, we are always
convicted of sin – not by the Ten Commandments – but by God’s
righteousness. Therefore we are not free
to sin and we must be conformed to God’s righteousness through the power
of the Holy Spirit working in our lives (Romans 7:7, 12, 13, 22, 25; 8:1-8,
12-14).
REGULATIONS = Greek signifies "decrees, ordinances,
commands." For all other usage in
the New Testament see Acts 16:4; 17:7; Ephesians 2:15; and Hebrews 11:23.
AGAINST US = See Exodus 32:33; Romans 8:33, 34.
OPPOSED TO US = Greek signifies "opposed, contrary, hostile,
adversary." Only other place this
Greek word appears in the New Testament is in Hebrews 10:27.
TOOK IT AWAY = Greek signifies "literally took away or
removed." See Romans 7:6-14.
Col 2:15
PUBLIC SPECTACLE = See notes on 1 Peter 3:19.
Col 2:16
THEREFORE = Refers back to the fact mentioned in the previous
verses that Christ "forgave us all our sins" (Colossians 2:13);
"canceled the written code with its regulations, that was against us"
(Colossians 2:14); and by His death on the cross disarmed and triumphed over
the "powers and authorities" (Colossians 2:15).
DO NOT ... JUDGE = Because Christ "forgave us all our
sins;" "canceled the written code;" and "triumphed over the
powers and authorities," we are not to judge or be judged by others on the
basis of externals ("what you eat, drink, religious festival, New Moon
celebrations, or Sabbaths). The judgment
of fellow human beings in these specific matters is not important (Romans
14:16-18), but I must remember that God is the final judge of both my actions
and my character (Romans 2:11-16).
A RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL = The Sunday-keeper must remember that his
Sunday is also a religious festival. The
same argument he uses to eliminate Sabbath-keeping here also eliminates
Sunday-keeping. There is plenty of
evidence elsewhere in Scripture to show that the Sabbath keeper is living under
the Old Covenant without using Colossians 2:16.
Colossians
A SABBATH DAY = The Greek has "in respect of a feast or of a
new moon or of Sabbaths ('hay sabbaton')."
The term "a Sabbath day" is supplied by the translators. All annual religious festivals were regulated
by the phases of the moon, and followed the lunar month. These yearly "sabbaths" were also
times of rest from daily work. They are
commonly called Annual Holy Day festivals.
They began at the time of Moses in 1450 B.C., pointed forward to Christ
and ended at the Cross. The weekly
Sabbath was part of the Old Covenant God made with the Israelites in 1450
B.C. It also ended at the cross when
Jesus instituted the New Covenant. There
is nothing in the New Covenant to support the Sabbatarian position that
Christians should “keep” the Sabbath – and much written in
the New Testament against the false idea that Christians should
“keep” the Sabbath.
Some claim that the Septuagint records this same phrase ("hay
sabbaton") in Exodus 20:8 to designate the weekly Sabbath day. They then conclude that since this phrase is
used in the Septuagint version of Exodus 20:8 to designate the seventh day of
the week, then it must also mean the seventh day of the week here in Colossians
2:16. In Exodus 20:8 the Greek phrase in
the Septuagint reads: "tnv haymeran (all singular) ton sabbaton
(plural)" meaning "the day of the Sabbaths." It then goes on to specify the seventh day of
the week. However here in Colossians
THESE = Refers back to the list of religious ceremonies in verse
16. The weekly Sabbath day of rest is a
"shadow" of Jesus Christ, The sacrament of marriage, (which was
instituted on the sixth day of Creation week and is a symbol of the
relationship Christ has with the Church) transcends the cross because it was
given to all people in all time, while the Sabbath was only given to the
Israelites in 1450 B.C., as part of the Old Covenant. When the Old Covenant expired at the cross,
the Sabbath also expired.
SHADOW = Qualifying phrase.
We are not to be judged by the shadows of things to come. By context, the "shadow" involves
the list of religious ceremonies appearing in verse 16. Those sacrificial/ceremonial laws were a
"shadow," or picture of what Jesus Christ would do, and were to be
discontinued after His death (Hebrews 10:1-4, 8-10). The Romans destroyed the temple at
Col 2:18
FALSE HUMILITY ... WORSHIP OF ANGELS = In contrast to the Judaizers
insistence on keeping the Feast Days.
Neither Judaizers nor these "visionaries" are to be given
credibility in the church.
SEEN = Probably false "visions" given by
"angels," or "visions" of angels. This is a difficult text. The Greek literally reads: "Let no one give
judgment against you wishing (to do so) in humility and worship of the angels,
intruding into things which he has seen in vain being puffed up by the mind of
the flesh of him." See 2 Peter
3:15, 16 for Peter's comments on Paul's writings.
Col 2:19
LOST CONNECTION WITH THE HEAD = When a body is severed from the
head instantaneous death results. There
is no life for a Christian who has "lost connection with the Head."
AS GOD CAUSES IT TO GROW = "Progress in the Christian life is
attained through living in union with Christ through faith. This thought is expressed in a variety of
ways (see Colossians 2:6-7; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 6:10; Colossians 2:19;
Romans 13:14; Colossians 3:17)." -- Victory Over Temptation, Wilkinson,
(Neil Anderson), page 36.
Col 2:20
YOU DIED = The process of sanctification depends upon death truly
being the end of life. If the
"soul" lives on, how is it possible for the "old/carnal
man" to die and the "new birth" to occur? See Colossians 3:5-8).
BASIC PRINCIPLES = See Colossians 2:21-23.
Col 2:21
HANDLE ... TASTE ... TOUCH = These are not references to the
ceremonial laws of uncleanliness and ministry of sacrifices pointing forward to
Christ (Leviticus 11:8; 12:4; Numbers 4:15; 14:8) for Colossians 2:22 specifies
they are "based on human commands and teachings" rather than on
God's. Also see 1 Timothy 4:3.
Col 2:22
HUMAN COMMANDS AND TEACHINGS = See Colossians 2:8.
Col 2:23
HAVE AN APPEARANCE OF WISDOM ... SELF-IMPOSED WORSHIP = These are
the "human commands and teachings" (Colossians
LACK ANY VALUE = See 2 Timothy 3:5, 7.
SEATED = See note on 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
RIGHT HAND OF GOD = Most Holy place of the heavenly sanctuary (see
Hebrews 9). The Trinity is a horizontal
relationship rather than vertical/hierarchical.
Seventh-day Adventists are wrong when they claim Jesus did not enter the
Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary and sit down at God's right hand
until October 22, 1844 (see Acts 2:32-33; Ephesians 1:20; 1 Peter 3:22 and
Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 9:12; 10:12; 12:2).
WHERE CHRIST IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD = Paul wrote this
in 60 A.D., thus by that time Christ was already seated in the Most Holy Place
at the right hand of God. This is in
perfect agreement with Jesus' own prediction in Luke 22:69, and Paul's
statements in Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 9:12 and Hebrews
8:1-2. Thus Seventh-day Adventists are
wrong in their belief that Jesus did not enter the Most Holy Place until
October 22, 1844.
Col 3:2
EARTHLY THINGS = Defined in verses 5-11.
Col 3:3
DIED = Defined in Colossians 2:20 as dying "to the basic
principles of this world."
Col 3:4
APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY = See Revelation 3:21. Luke 24:26 suggests that "glory" is
in heaven, and agrees with John 14:1-3.
Col 3:5
EARTHLY NATURE = The list of sins Paul enumerates here is only
representative and not exhaustive. In a
companion texts Paul adds: sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, prostitution,
homosexuality, thievery, greed, drunkenness, slander, and swindlers (1
Corinthians 6:9, 10); obscenity, foolish talk, coarse joking, anger, malice,
and lying (Ephesians 5:3-5).
Col 3:9
DO NOT LIE = This is the ninth commandment. The New Birth does not release us from the
requirements of God's righteousness.
Rather it requires us to be renewed through the Holy Spirit (Romans
12:2; Titus 3:5) until we are in complete harmony with God's will (Colossians
3:10).
Col 3:10
HAVE PUT ON THE NEW SELF = "Again, the fact that the old life
has been replaced by the new life in Christ is affirmed. And again, just as surely as before, what
Paul makes of it is this: Since this is true in Christ, in your everyday
affairs start living like it is true.
There isn't the slightest whisper in these passages about looking on ourselves
as people of great worth or about gaining a better self-image. All he is doing is holding up the ideal (our
perfect standing in Christ) and urging us to approximate it more fully in
ourselves." -- The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love, Self-Image, by
Jay E. Adams, page 78.
BEING RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE = See note on Romans 12:2.
Col 3:11
HERE THERE IS NO GREEK OR JEW = The "here" Paul refers to
is "the new self" of Colossians 3:10.
Distinctions of race and status belong to the "old self" which
is "put to death" through the grace of Christ (Colossians 3:5).
Col 3:12
AS GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE = The criteria for being one of God's chosen
people is to be a sinner saved by God's grace (Colossians 2:13) and continuing
to walk with Christ (Colossians 3:3).
Col 3:13
FORGIVE AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU = Lord's forgiveness leaves us
"without blemish" and "free from accusation" (Colossians
1:22).
When we forgive we
make four promises to the one we forgave:
1.
That we will not dwell upon the sin we have forgiven (Isaiah 38:17).
2.
That we will not keep a record of the wrong(s) (Psalm 130:3-4)
3.
That we will not gossip about the sin/sinner we have forgiven (Proverbs
11:12-13).
4.
That we will treat the person as though he/she had never sinned (Hebrews 8:12)
Col 3:15
LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST = Linked to the "word of Christ"
in verse 16. To be in Christ's
"peace" means that we must permit Him to be the Lord of our
life. When He takes the steering wheel
we have the pleasure of resting in His peace. But if we wrestle the wheel away
from Him we then encounter the stress of having to choose our own way and
suffer the consequences.
RULE = 3P Sing Pres Act Imper "Let him continue to rule
continuously." This is the only
place this word is used in the New Testament.
It is linked to the awarding of prizes in a contest, and signifies
deciding, controlling, and ruling.
Col 3:16
WORD OF CHRIST = Linked to the "peace of Christ" in verse
15.
SING PSALMS, HYMNS, SPIRITUAL SONGS = Music can define theology and
promote understanding of doctrine.
Col 3:17
IN THE NAME = "Name" signifies authority, spirit, and
character. As Christians, all we do is
to be done in/with the spirit and authority of Christ, for we are His
ambassadors.
"Progress in the
Christian life is attained through living in union with Christ through
faith. This thought is expressed in a
variety of ways (see Colossians 2:6-7; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 6:10;
Colossians 2:19; Romans 13:14; Colossians 3:17)." -- Victory Over Temptation,
Wilkinson, (Neil Anderson), page 36.
Col 3:18
WIVES SUBMIT = Submission is not a responsibility in dating or
friendship. Marriage involves husbands
and wives voluntarily assuming their Biblically correct role. It is better for a woman not to marry if she
is not willing to submit to her husband as the Bible requires. It is also better for a man not to marry if
he does not understand the Biblical requirements for husbands (i.e. loving
their wives, giving themselves up for their wives as Christ gave Himself up for
the church, providing for their wives, nourishing their wives, et cetera). Also see 1 Corinthians 7:2; Ephesians 5:22,
33.
AS IS FITTING IN THE LORD = God's Word lays down the principles of
submitting in marriage. The Christian
marriage relationship is to be governed by the Lord through the principles of
His Word, and not through the traditions or commands of men.
Col 3:19
LOVE = See Ephesians 5:21, 22, 28, 33.
HARSH = Greek "to make bitter, embitter against someone."
Col 3:20
OBEY = Greek "obey, follow, be subject to."
Col 3:21
EMBITTER = Greek "arouse, provoke, irritate."
Col 3:22
SLAVES = The Gospel is designed to apply to all people in any
situation, including slavery. In this
instance slaves are to demonstrate honesty and integrity in their work. The focus here is on the responsibilities of
the Christian slave, not the evils of slavery.
Through the Gospel, slavery can be changed/abolished from the inside
out! For a further view of slavery in the New Testament see 1Corinthians 7:21-23;
12:13; Galatians 3:8; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:11;
4:1, 2; 1 Timothy 1:9-11; 6:1, 2; Titus 2:9-11; Philippians 1:15,
16; 1 Peter 2:18-21; Revelation
6:15; 13:16.
OBEY = The focus is not on the evils of slavery, but on the
responsibility of slaves to be Christ like.
Also see Colossians 4:1.
SINCERITY = Work the best you can.
See Colossians 3:23.
Col 3:25
REPAID = Encouragement for those who are oppressed.
FAVORITISM = See James 2:1-4.
MASTERS = Does not seek to violently overthrow slavery, but to
change it from the inside out. Also see
Colossians 3:22.
RIGHT = Involves the letter of the law.
FAIR = Involves the spirit of the law.
Col 4:2
DEVOTE = 2P Pl Pres Act Imper "Continue to continuously devote
yourselves." Greek signifies
"Be busily engaged in, be devoted to."
Col 4:3
MYSTERY OF CHRIST = Defined in Colossians 1:27 and 2:2.
IN CHAINS = Greek word is "deo" and in this case means
"imprisonment." Also see
verses 10 and 18.
Col 4:5
OUTSIDERS = Not those outside the church, but outside Jesus
Christ. These are to be eagerly sought
out, not ostracized.
Col 4:6
GRACE = Greek means "graciousness, attractiveness." The opposite of bitterness and harshness.
Col 4:7
TYCHICUS = TICK-EE-KUS means "fortunate." He was a disciple and messenger for
Paul. Tradition says that he became a
leader of the church and later died as a martyr (Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; 2
Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12).
Col 4:8
KNOW ABOUT = Paul doesn't waste paper on himself, but relies on
Tychicus to relay the information. See
Colossians 4:7.
Col 4:9
ONESIMUS = O-NES-SI-MUS means "useful." He was a run-away slave that Paul met while
in Rome. After becoming a Christian,
Onesimus became one of Paul's fellow-workers (Philemon 1:10). The book of Philemon deals with the return of
Onesimus to his master Philemon.
Tradition says that Onesimus eventually became a leader in the church.
Col 4:10
PRISONER = The book of Colossians was written while Paul and
Aristarchus were imprisoned in Rome (approximately 60 AD). Also see verses 3 and 18.
ARISTARCHUS = AIR-IS-TAR-KUS means "the best ruler." He traveled with Paul on his third missionary
journey. Tradition states that
Aristarchus died in Rome, martyred during Nero's persecution of the Christians
(Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Philemon 1:24; 1 Peter 5:13).
MARK = Means "polite, shining." Mark is the cousin of Barnabas; Mark or
"Markus" is his Latin name; "John" is his Jewish name. He is also called John Mark. As a young man he accompanied Paul and
Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but later deserted when things got
difficult. Paul refused to take John
Mark with them on the second journey, thus a split came between Paul and Barnabas. About twelve years later though, Paul and
Mark became good friends. John Mark
wrote the Gospel of Mark, and was with Peter when Peter was crucified at Rome. Tradition states that John Mark also died as
a martyr (Acts 12;12, 25; 15:37-39; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24).
Col 4:11
JESUS ... JUSTUS = The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew
name "Joshua" which means "Jehovah is salvation." The name JUS-TUS means "just." Jesus-Justus was one of the Jewish converts
with Paul in Rome. Little else is known
about him.
Col 4:12
EPAPHRAS = EP-A-FRAS means "lovely." Epaphras was a missionary in Colossae who,
tradition says, started the church there.
Apparently he came to Rome to inform Paul of the progress of the work in
Colossae and was imprisoned as a result (Colossians 1:7; Philemon 1:23).
Col 4:14
LUKE = Means "Light-giving." Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of
Acts. Acts is his diary of what happened
as he traveled with Paul on his second and third missionary journeys. Luke stayed with Paul through his last
imprisonment and martyrdom (2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24).
THE DOCTOR = The Greek "iatros" (Strongs #G2395) means
"physician."
DEMAS = DEE-MAS means "Popular." Demas shared Paul's
hardships for a time, but later deserted him.
There is no evidence that Demas ever returned to the Lord (2 Timothy
4:10; Philemon 1:24).
Col 4:15
NYMPHA = NIM-FA means "Bride." The Laodicean church met in her house. Little else is known about her.
Col 4:16
THE LETTER FROM LAODICEA = Since Archippus is mentioned in the next
verse in connection with a series of references to the church at Laodicea
(Colossians 4:13, 15, 16), it is probable that he is the leader of that
church. If so, then Paul's letter to
Philemon, which also mentions Archippus and thus suggests Philemon lived in Laodicea, must be the
letter "from Laodicea" that Paul mentions here.
Col 4:17
ARCHIPPUS = AR-KI-PUS means "Chief groom." He was probably the son of Philemon and
Apphia, and apparently a leader in the church at Colossae (Philemon 1:2).
Col 4:18
THIS GREETING = See Colossians 4:15-18.
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