The Supremacy of Jesus Christ. (Colossians Ch 1: 1—8)
The Letter to the Collossians was written by the Apostle Paul with Timothy his companion from Rome at the time that Paul was under house arrest.
Epraphras had visited Paul and reported on the state of the church at Colossae and revealing to the Apostle that there were heresies infiltrating the church fellowship.
Here is a excellent example of a good shepherd.
Epaphras was on the ball as it were, immediately recognising the heresies that were coming into the church and acting to safeguard the flock.
Epaphras was not an Apostle, although he preached the Gospel of Christ as taught by the Apostle Paul.
He obviously knew that a letter from an Apostle would validate the word that he himself had preached at Collosae.
This is the sign of a good shepherd, one that is always on the alert on behalf of his flock. Epaphras was not a hireling but a true shepherd.
He recognised the wolves in sheep’s clothing and acted accordingly.
There are many pastors and elders in many of our churches today that are falling down in their responsibilities in this kind of situation. There are heresies seeping into many fellowships which are not being picked up by the pastors and leaders and therefore the flocks are not being kept safe. This is why it is paramount that the word of God is held in its rightful place in the churches, that it is not just read but studied.
We must be like the Bereans, Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
We must remember how serious this is and will continue to be in the church in these last days.
Jesus Himself warned of this in Math 24. He spoke of wars and rumours of wars, He spoke of tribulation and great tribulation, of famine and pestilence, of earthquakes, but of false teachers, Jesus warned six times.
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
We should pray for our leaders, that they may be alert and watchful, that they may be able to recognise these heresies as soon as they begin to enter the church.
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Although Paul had never been to Colossae, He still felt that he had the Apostolic authority to address the believers in this church.
The city of Colossae was one of three cities set in a triangle in Asia Minor with Heiropolis and Laodicea and it wasn’t far from Ephesus, where Paul had preached the Gospel and founded a church.
When Epaphras heard the Gospel he took it back to his own people and began a Christian fellowship which became known as the church at Colossae.
(1-2) Paul greets the Christians in Colossae.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul, previous to his conversion on the Damascus road was known as Saul of Tarsus. The name Saul, meant “asked for.” The Greek for Paul, Paulos, means “little” and was his Roman or Gentile name. How he came to have this name is uncertain. Some think it refers to his small stature.
According to one story taken from an apocryphal writing called “Paul and Thecla,” Paul is approaching the city and Titus has given Onesiphorus a description of his appearance.
Onesiphorus was to watch for a man who was “small in size, bald-headed, bow-legged, well built, with eyebrows that met, a man who had a rather long-nosed and was full of grace.”
Paul being an Apostle, considered that he had both the right and responsibility to write to encourage and exhort the Colossians in matters of their beliefs and practice.
He preached the Gospel that was delivered unto him by the Holy Spirit and attested by signs and wonders.
He wished to establish his credentials at the outset. He will expose and refute the false teaching.
Who better to refute heresy than those appointed by Christ. To whom was given the Truth of the Gospel. Which was attested by signs and wonders.
According to the custom of writing letters in that day, the author’s name is given first. Therefore the author was Paul; he wrote the letter while in Roman custody, probably from Rome and around AD 63.
Paul wrote the letter because of the visit of Epaphras from Colossae. (Colossians 1:7,8) As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
It is likely that Paul himself had never visited the city (Colossians 2:1). For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
An apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God:
Paul was qualified to write this letter of instruction to the Colossians, though he had never met them personally, because he was an Apostle.
The literal meaning of apostolos is ‘one sent’; but at its deepest level it denotes an authorized spokesman for God, one commissioned and empowered to act as God’s representative.
He was making it quite clear that the authorization was not from himself but of God “by the will of God”.
The letter goes on, and Timothy our brother: Timothy was a younger man and companion of Paul, but he was not an Apostle.
Though Timothy is here joined in the salutation, yet he has never been understood as having any part in composing this epistle. Although, he could have helped Paul, in the actual writing of the letter.
To the saints and faithful brethren: When Paul addressed the saints, he did not separate some Christians from others in the Colossian church. Every true Christian is a saint.
Saint here is not used in the same sense that it is used in the Roman Catholic church.
A saint is not someone special, who has performed a miracle and has been given the position of “a saint” by being canonized but what it means here is that every believer in Jesus Christ is a saint. A person who is a member of the Body of Christ, one who is reckoned as righteous, through the blood of Jesus Christ.
The phrase saints and faithful brethren may be commending the believers for their faithfulness to the truth of the Gospel and the fact that they are resisting the heretical teachings filtering into the church.
At first reading it may appear that Paul is making a distinction with the phrase faithful brethren. He may be referring to those amongst the brethren, who haven’t embraced the false teaching.
However, as most of the commentaries point out, saints are those separated unto Christ by the belief in the Gospel, regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become children of God through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. This fact makes each saint brethren in Christ. By using the word faithful, he is commending them on their steadfastness to the truth of the word.
Who are in Colossae:
The city of Colossae was probably the smallest and least important city that Paul ever wrote to.
It might surprise us that Paul would turn his attention to the Christians in Colossae at a time when he had so many other concerns. Yet he apparently thought the situation in Colossae was important enough for Apostolic attention.
It is worth paying attention to this fact, that whilst Paul had enough on his own plate, He still found time to be concerned for the welfare of others.
Many times we are so bogged down with our own problems, that we very often have no time to be concerned with others.
The city of Colossae is not even mentioned in the Book of Acts.
All our Biblical information about the church there, comes from this letter and a few allusions in the letter to Philemon.
From these sources we learn that Epaphras was responsible for bringing the gospel to the Colossians (Colossians 1:6-7). As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
He was a native of the city (Colossians 4:12), Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
This shows us that he also got the message out to neighbouring towns in the Lycus Valley like Hierapolis and Laodicea.
(Colossians 4:13). 13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
Perhaps Epaphras heard the gospel himself when Paul was in Ephesus. As Paul taught in the lecture hall of Tyrannus, all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord (Acts 19:10). It would not be surprising if some people from Colossae heard the gospel at that time.
Historically, Colossae was a prosperous city, and famous (along with other cities in its region) for its fabric dyes. Yet by Paul’s time the glory it had as a city was on the decline.
History tells us that shortly after this letter was written. In the writings of Eusebius and Tacitus we are told that “That this city perished by an earthquake, a short time after the date of this epistle, we have the testimony of Eusebius.” Tacitus also mentioned this earthquake, which happened around AD60.
Paul wrote this letter because there were problems among the Christians in Colossae, but the problem, this heresy that was seeping into the church, is difficult to precisely describe.
It probably was a corruption of Christianity with elements of mystical and legalistic Judaism perhaps combined with early Gnosticism.
This makes this passage of scripture very relevant in our churches today.
Our churches are experiencing the same problems with the seeking after the mystical experiences, experiential Christianity and the legalism that permeates our fellowships.
The first century religious environment was much like our own. It was a time of religious mixing, with people borrowing a little from this religion and a little from that religion.
Today we have the New Age church and the Emerging church trying to bring about an inter faith movement.
Ecumenism, which is the attempt to merge different faiths and beliefs, in the cause of peace.
The Gnostics denied the divinity of Christ, teaching that Christ was in fact a created being.
Whatever the problem was precisely, Paul dwelt on the solution which was a better understanding of Jesus.
A deeper understanding of The Word of God.
Knowing the real Jesus helps us to stay away from the counterfeit, no matter how it comes packaged.
Knowing the Word of God helps us to recognise what is false teaching.
The supremacy of Jesus Christ, having Christ at the centre of our thinking, looking to Him, the author and finisher of our faith. Walking in the light of His Word.
Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ: Paul’s greeting was familiar but heartfelt.
“Grace is God’s unconditioned goodwill toward men and women which is decisively expressed in the saving work of Christ.” (Bruce)
This letter, full of love and concern, written to a church Paul had neither planted nor visited, shows the power of Christian love. Paul didn’t need to see or meet or directly know these Christians in order to love them and be concerned for them. Again, this is something that should concern us in our Christian walk.
Are we concerned about the church down the road or only bothered about ourselves?
Notice, Grace precedes Peace. Very often we read this throughout Paul’s letters.
Without Grace there can be no peace. No Jesus Christ, No Gospel, No Peace. Peace always follows Grace.
In actual fact without Christ, there is neither Peace nor Hope.
Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.
Praying always for you:
Although he had never met most of them, the Christians of Colosse were on Paul’s prayer list. He prayed for them not only often, but always.
Again there is a great lesson for us in this statement.
We give thanks: When Paul did pray for the Colossians, he did it full of gratitude. Perhaps those who pray the most end up having the most reasons to thank God.
Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
Since we heard:
Paul was thankful, for their faith in Christ Jesus, he was thankful for their love for all the saints. Genuine faith in Jesus will always have a true love for God’s people as a companion.
This is one of the tests whether we are in the faith.
2 Cor 13: 15 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
John 13: 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Because of the hope:
Paul was thankful for the hope laid up for them in heaven. He was thankful when he considered the destiny of the Colossian Christians.
This is not an unsure hope but a sure hope (Greek—Elpis) meaning (to anticipate—usually with pleasure) an expectancy.
Romans 8:18-25 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain
together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Paul speaks of waiting with eager expectation for the revelation of the children of God (v. 19), waiting for the adoption as sons (v. 23). We are waiting "for the righteousness for which we hope"
Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. and for "the blessed hope, " namely, the glorious appearing of our Lord.
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Paul has both an eager expectation and a hope for God to be glorified in him, whether in life or death.
Php 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
In this passage of scripture we notice Pauls recognition of the Colossians Faith, Hope and Love
He also points out where this comes from.
Which you heard before in the word of the truth: Paul was thankful that their eternal destiny was affected by the truth of the gospel, brought by Epaphras (as you also learned from Epaphras).
This is where the assurance of this is found, the foundation on which we build our lives, the Word of God.
Epaphras is described as a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. This doesn’t mean that Epaphras was superior to the other Christians in Colossae. The word minister does not mean “superior”; it means “one who serves.”
And is bringing forth fruit: Paul was thankful that the gospel was bringing forth fruit over all the world, even while Paul was in a Roman prison.
This is why it is so important for us to stand firm on the Word of God.
Romans 15: 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Romans 10: 17 “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”.
We must abide in Christ
John 15: 1—10 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my
disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Pauls answer to the heretical teachings and being drawn away from the truth of the Gospel is to stand firm to what you have been taught. To stray away from the Word of God is putting ourselves in the very vulnerable position of being taken in by erroneous teachings.
We must check all things by the Word and live our Christian lives by living according to the light of it.
Abide in Christ.
Colossians 2: 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true
righteousness and holiness.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Romans 3: 13 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Prove all things by the Word of God.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 Thess 5: 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, …
Acts 17: 11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
Beware of false teachers.
Col 2: 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
Col 2: 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”
