Chapter 1
1:1: "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus"... Paul is an apostle indeed! Even from the beginning of his renewal (In his calling) It is made clear that Paul was personally sent by Christ. Paul makes this claim to apostleship multiple times in the New Testament. If Paul were a false, self-proclaiming apostle, he would not be "filling up what is lacking on behalf of [Christ's] body". Apostle (Apostolos) means "one who is sent". Paul was sent by Christ to preach to the gentiles. An Apostle is not just sent but sent with authority in the name of the one who sent them. Paul's calling and authority are verified by the other apostles and can even be seen with Paul rebuking Peter. All in all, Paul was a true apostle of Christ. "Timothy"... Timothy was Paul's child in the faith and one of "spirit" with him. (Philippians 2:20)
1:2 : "saints..." Unlike catholic doctrine which "canonizes" saints and holds them in high regard
and status, The Bible calls us all to be saints. Saints simply means "set apart ones" or "holy
ones". Paul was addressing this letter to the saints in Christ that were at the church in Colossae.
1:6 : "bearing fruit and multiplying... has been doing in you..." A Biblical understanding of the true gospel is crucial to bearing good fruit. Verses 9 and 10 even tell us that Paul was praying that they would be filled with the "full knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding". So that they could walk in a manner pleasing of the Lord. (Col 3:16). An understanding of the word of God is a necessity to walk in a manner that pleases and brings glory to God.
1:7: "Epaphras"... A co-laborer with Paul in the faith and the possible founder of the Colossae church.1:3-4: Somebody's true faith in the Lord is something that is to be rejoiced over and praise be given to God.
1:9: What reason? The reason is their love in the Spirit (cf. verse 8). A hint to this fact is found in Verse 9: since the day we heard. Heard what? Of their love in the Spirit.
1:11: "patience…" This work is "makrothumia"; It means "long suffering". A precise definition would be something like the opposite of "short-tempered"; it essentially means "long-tempered". Makrothumia is also a fruit of the spirit.
1:12: "Qualified" in Greek ("hikanoo" is from "hikanos" which means to "make able". God has made us able, moreover "enabled" us to share in his inheritance (which is our portion/lot.) is the English Equivalent of the term "Sufficient". The Lord has indeed qualified us by His own grace and good will, through the cross (v. 20, Ephesians 1:4-5).
1:12: "qualified…" This word,
1:13: 'Trans" is to go beyond. He has taken us beyond the authority of darkness and into the kingdom of Christ.
1:14: "redemption…" This Greek word "apolutrosis" speaks essentially to a release from debt through payment. Essentially a "release made in effect by payment of ransom". (cf v.20) Redemption is Reconciliation.
1:15: This "image" is not the same as the image we bear as humans. This image is the exact imprint of the Fathers nature rather than the "likeness" of God we bear. (Hebrews 1:3)
1:16: "For Him..." All things were made for Christ to bring glory to the Godhead.
1:20: Reconciliation to God the Father only comes through Christ: "through the blood of His Cross".
1:21: "in mind and in evil deeds"... It is important to understand that this is not just a juvenile sin but a complete alienation and lack of recognition to the holiness of God. We were not just people or humans but sons of disobedience (3:6)
1:21: "alienated…" This word is "apollotrioo"; it means to be estranged or a non-participant or "cut off from". We were previously "cut off" and "non-participants" of Christ, committing evil deeds, but God reconciled us by His good will.
1:23: "Of which I, Paul, was made a minister." Paul had been set apart by God but this "making" Paul into a minister was found not at Paul's birth or conception but was found at Paul's calling from God. (Galatians 1:15-16) This calling was not earned but given. (1:20)
1:23: This reconciliation is only found through steadfast faith in Christ.
1:24: This is not saying that Christ or Christ's atonement was lacking but rather was speaking of Paul's persecution. Paul was taking these persecutions on "behalf of Christ's body". (Matthew 24:9) This persecution also goes to show that Paul was truly In Christ and "firmly established" in Christ. (Matthew 13:21, Matthew 5:10)
1:25: "stewardship…" A steward was one who managed another's household or "looked after another's affairs". Paul was made a steward of Christ's church. A minister according to that stewardly authority.
1:26: "Saints..." (Compare with notes on 1:2) God made the riches of the mystery known to the saints which He has called. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
1:26: Christ is the image of God and the physical manifestation of God. Christ is the mystery (2:2) and is still revealed to us today through the Word by the Holy Spirit (John 15:26-27, John 14:26)
1:26: "manifested…" This word means to "reveal, make manifest, show openly". The indwelling of Christ was previously hidden from past generations but now made known to the New Testament saints.
1:28: (cf. Acts 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
1:28: "admonishing…" to admonish is to counsel or warn. Noutheteo comes from "nous - mind" and "tithemi - to put/place". It essentially means to "place the mind". We proclaim Christ and "admonish" others, setting their mind and warning them to Christ.
1:28-2:2: Paul was laboring and striving to "present every man complete in Christ". It was a struggle (2:1) both in Colossae and Laodicea for Paul to bring these believers to maturity. Paul was striving that they would be held together in love and would have a mature, "full" understanding of Christ.
1:22-23: We can only be brought holy and blameless if keep firmly grounded and faithful. This verse stresses the importance of walking in obedience to the Lord.