Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and

Timothy our brother,

“Timothy”: This is Paul’s co-laborer and true child in the faith, who
was able to be with him because, although Paul was a prisoner, he had
personal living quarters (Acts 28:16-31).
In this very first verse, we see that Paul wrote the letter.
Timothy was with Paul at the time of the writing and agreed with what
was said.
We have mentioned several times the qualifications of an apostle, and
Paul fit every one of them. We do not question that Paul was in fact, an
apostle.
We also agreed that Paul was chosen by God to bring the gospel to the
Gentiles in particular, and unto all mankind as opportunity arose.
Timothy is spoken of as brother of Paul, when in fact; he was not
related to Paul in the physical.
He was a brother in the sense that all believers in Christ are brothers.
Colossians 1:2 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.
“Saints”: Those who have been separated from sin and set apart to God, the believers in
Colossae.
“Faithful”: A word used in the New Testament exclusively for believers.
“Colossae”: One of 3 cities in the Lycus River valley in the region of Phrygia, in the
Roman province of Asia (part of modern Turkey), about 100 miles East of Ephesus.
“Grace … peace”: Paul’s greeting in all 13 of his epistles.
“Grace” is used in several different ways in the New Testament. It can refer to;
(1) God’s unmerited kindness on Calvary, which brings about man’s salvation (Eph.
2:8);
“Peace” is also employed in a variety of ways in Scripture: It can signify;
(1) The opposite of war (Rev. 6:4); Harmony and concord with others (Eph. 4:3);
Health and welfare (1 Cor. 16:11); Salvation in that one is at peace with God (Rom. 5:1)
“Colossae” was located in the Roman province of Asia, 11 miles from Laodicea
We see honor given to the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ here.
The name Lord Jesus Christ tells us who, and what, Jesus really is. He is our King, our
Savior, the Messiah, the Anointed One.
Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, praying always for you,

“God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ”:
This designation was often used to
show that Jesus was one in nature
with God, as any true son is with his
father.
It was an affirmation of Christ’s deity
(Rom. 15:6; 2 Cor. 1; 11:13; Eph. 1:3;
3:14; 1 Pet. 1).
Paul always starts his letters on a
positive note.
This is no exception.
They are in the constant prayers of
Paul.
Colossians 1:4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love
for all the saints
“Faith in Christ Jesus”: This is saving faith (see
notes on Rom. 1:16; 10:4-17; James 2:14-26).
“Love … to all the saints” (verse 8). One of the
visible fruits of true saving faith is love for fellow
believers (John 13:34-35; Gal. 5:22 1 John 2:10;
3:14-16).
Evidence of a person’s faith in Christ Jesus is his
love … “to all the saints”.
More than anything in the letter, this indicates that
Paul might not have founded the church here. It is as
if he is saying, all that he knows about this church is
what he has heard others saying. The things Paul
mentions here that he has heard are good things.
The very first thing is that they have set their faith in
Jesus Christ. It appears also, that this is a church of
great love for God and for all of the believers
Colossians 1:5 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,
“Hope” is salvation, as it refers to the object for which one
hopes. The believer’s hope is inseparable from his faith (see
notes on Romans 5:2; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
“The gospel” (see note on Rom. 1:1). The Greek word
literally means “good news,” and was used in classical
Greek to express the good news of victory in a battle. The
gospel is the good news of Christ’s victory over Satan, sin,
and death.
“Word of the truth of the gospel”: could be rendered as
“the message of the gospel which is true.” This is meant to
contradict the Colossian heresy: unlike its false teaching or
“vain deceit” (2:8), the gospel is true indeed.
The hope is of the resurrection to eternal life in heaven.
Paul says here, you have been taught the truth of the gospel
and you believed. Paul has commented on their faith and
love, and both are things that will get them to heaven.
Colossians 1:6 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;
in all the world.
 v. 23, “every creature under
heaven.”
 The gospel was never
intended for an exclusive
group of people; it is good
news for the whole world
(Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20; Mark “Fruit”:
16:15; Rom. 1:8, 14, 16; 1 Refers to the saving
Thess. 1:8). effect of gospel
 It transcends all ethnic, preaching and to the
geographic, cultural, and growth of the church
political boundaries.  (Rom. 1:13; Phil. 1:22).
Colossians 1:7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow
servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,
 Epaphras” evangelized the exchange for the doctrine of the
Colossians with the gospel and local heretics, will you?
planted the church in their city.  Now we see that Epaphras was
 In describing Epaphras here in one of the ministers who had
such glowing terms as “our dear brought the truth of the gospel
fellow servant”, and “for you a to the church here.
faithful minister of Christ,” Paul  Paul is saying that Epaphras
puts his apostolic stamp of brings a true message of the
approval on this saint’s life, gospel of Christ.
ministry, and gospel.
 The implication to the readers:
Surely you will not forsake
Epaphras’ gospel and care in
Colossians 1:8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
 “Your love in the Spirit” (or, your love
by the Spirit):
 that is, the Holy Spirit instilled and
nurtured in the Colossian Christians
an affection for others.
 It seems as though it was Epaphras
who had told Paul of the great love
of these people.
 Spirit here, is speaking of the Holy
Spirit.
 None of us know how to truly love,
until the Spirit comes and teaches us
how to love.
Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not
cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the
knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
“Wisdom” is an accurate perception into the true nature of things.
“Understanding” is the skillful application of this wisdom in practical
situations.
“The knowledge of his will”: This is not an inner impression or feeling, but a
deep and thorough knowledge of the will of God that is finally and completely
revealed in the Word of God (3:16; Eph. 5:17; 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:18; 1 Tim. 2:4; 1
Pet. 2:13, 15; 4:19).
“Wisdom and understanding”: “Spiritual” modifies both “wisdom” (the
ability to accumulate and organize principles from Scripture), and
“understanding” (the application of those principles to daily living).
We have mentioned so many times in these lessons, that wisdom is a gift from
God and knowledge is accumulated learning.
The way we can learn of God's will, is to study His Holy Word.
Then, Paul is saying, he had prayed that they would study God's Word and
find out what God's will for their lives is.
Colossians 1:10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him,
being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
“Walk … worthy”: This is a key New Testament concept which calls
the believer to live in a way that is consistent with his identification
with the Lord who saved him.
“Being fruitful in every good work” Spiritual fruit is the by-product
of a righteous life. The Bible identifies spiritual fruit as leading
people to Christ (1 Cor. 16:15), praising God (Heb. 13:15), living a
godly life (Heb. 12:11), and displaying holy attitudes (Gal. 5:22-23).
“Increasing in the knowledge of God”: Spiritual growth cannot occur
apart from this knowledge (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18).
The evidences of spiritual growth include a deeper love for God’s
Word (Psalm 119:97), a more perfect obedience (1 John 2:3-5), a
strong doctrinal foundation (1 John 2:12-14), and expanding faith (2
Thess. 1:3; 2 Cor. 10:5), and a greater love for others (Phil. 1:9).
This verse expresses the reason that (in verse 9), Paul wants the
Colossians to obtain a knowledge of God’s will.
Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His
glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
“Strengthened with all might” (Eph. 3:16-20).
“Patience and longsuffering”: These terms are
closely related and refer to the attitude one has
during trials.
“Patience” looks more at enduring difficult
circumstance and persevering through problems,
trails, tribulations, and so forth.
While “longsuffering” looks at enduring difficult
people and forbearing the faults and offenses of
others.
It is the power of God within which strengthens
the inner man.
The power of the Holy Spirit within produces the
patience, longsuffering, and joyfulness.
Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be
partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
“Made us” means “qualified us to”. The Greek word for “qualified” means
“to make sufficient,” “to empower,” or “to authorize.” God qualifies us only
through the finished work of the Savior. Apart from God’s grace through
Jesus Christ, all people would be qualified only to receive His wrath.
“Inheritance”: Each believer will receive his own individual portion of the
total divine inheritance, an allusion to the partitioning of Israel’s
inheritance in Canaan (Num. 26:52-56; 1 Pet 1:3-5).     
“In light”: Scripture represents “light” intellectually as divine truth (Psalm
119:130), and morally as divine purity (Eph. 5:8-14; 1 John 1:5). The saint’s
inheritance exists in the spiritual realm of truth and purity where God
Himself dwells (1 Tim. 6:16). Light then, is a synonym for God’s kingdom
(John 8:12; 2 Cor. 4:6; Rev. 21:23; 22:5).
This verse also might be translated “thanking the Father, for He made us fit
to share in the salvation belonging to the saints who are in the light.”
It is the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord which makes us acceptable
unto Him.
Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness
and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
“Delivered us”: The Greek term means “to draw oneself” or “to
deliver,” and refers to the believer’s spiritual liberation by God from
Satan’s kingdom.
“Kingdom”: This Kingdom cannot be any other than the church of
Christ. The group of people saved by the Lord Acts 2:47; Eph 1:22-23
“His dear son” (Matt. 3:17; 12:18; 17:5).
The Father gave this kingdom to the Son He loves, as an expression of
eternal love. That means that every person the Father calls and
justifies is a love gift from Him to the Son
“Darkness” is the religious state in which unbelievers exist, namely,
that of spiritual ignorance with its attending immorality and misery.
Before we come to Jesus, we are living in darkness. Paul was very
familiar with this, because it was the Light of Jesus that stopped him
in his tracks and turned him around. This power of darkness is the
dominion of Satan. Satan cannot survive when the Light of the world
is applied. Darkness is, and always has been, opposed to the Light.
Colossians 1:14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins.

There is legal salvation in Christ, where we have

redemption and the forgiveness of sins.
 Having introduced vital salvation in the
preceding verse, here Paul states our legal
salvation.
 Redemption is buying back our souls from the
deserved condemnation of a holy and just God.
 Our redemption, or our purchase price, our
ransom amount, was the precious blood of
Christ.
 What is redemption? It is the forgiveness of our
sins. It is declaring us righteous by His blood.
 Rather than the forensic terms of justification
and pardon, we have economic terms used
here.
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
over all creation.
Let me make it and be very clear in this verse, this is a very strong foundation
of your faith and my faith, and a very debated verse by many groups.
The author of Hebrews speaks of Jesus saying,
“Hebrews 1:3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express
image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His
power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right
hand of the Majesty on high”
Jesus then is the “brightness” of the glory of God.
The word “Brightness” (apaugasma) = “the flowing out of light”
Jesus, as the Son of God, is the glory of God.
Light flows outward from Christ.
Consider the fact that “God is light” (I Jn. 1:5).
Light in the scriptures represents purity, holiness, goodness, justice,
righteousness, and a state of sinless perfection (Prov. 6:23; Isa. 5:20;
Eph.5:8).
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
over all creation.

This light is transferred to man through the gospel message

(II Cor. 4:4-6).
If the source of this just light is Jesus it stands that Jesus
represents deity.
As the source of the glory of God, Jesus is “the very image
of his substance” (God).
The word “image” (eikon) = “An image in a mirror”, “The
image corresponding to its original”
No wander Jesus told his disciples that any man that had
seen him had seen the Father (Jn.14:9).
The apostle Paul said, “For in him (Christ) dwelleth all the
fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9). Jesus was deity
(cf. Jn. 1:1ff).
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
over all creation.
Jesus was too the “firstborn of all creation.”
Paul is not saying that Christ was a created being (cf. Jn. 1:1, 14;
8:58).
Jesus left the glories of heaven to redeem man from their sin (cf.
Phil. 2:6ff) and took the form of flesh (cf. Jn. 1:14).
When Christ died for the redemption of man’s sins (Matt. 26:26ff)
He was raised from the dead and so became the “firstborn of all
creation” (cf. I Cor. 15:20-23).
a. Remember that those who are “firstborn” occupy a since of
supremacy over others born (this is why Jacob and Esau both
desired the blessing of the first born by their father Isaac / cf.
Gen. 25:27ff)
b. Jesus is supreme over all others in creation due to the fact
that he is the creator of all creation (cf. Jn. 1:3; Heb. 1:1-2).
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and
that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or
principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

For by Him all things were created

The person we now know as Jesus Christ,
the only begotten Son of God, existed as
an equal member of the Godhead from
all eternity (Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7 Mic. 5:2; Jn.
1:1-2 Heb. 1:8; Rev. 1:8-11).
Before He became God's Son (sonship
refers to humanity, not to deity, He was a
spirit being and carried out the divine
plan of creation.
He was the direct agent of God the
Father who created all things by Him
( Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:3)
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that
are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities
or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

that are in heaven and that are on earth

The creation of Christ includes all the worlds of
all the dimensions of being.
This is what is meant by the statement, “that are
in heaven, and in earth, visible and invisible,...”
Note how all inclusive the statement is:
 If there are other visible and living planets and
beings in outer space, Christ created them.
 If there are invisible worlds and beings in
other dimensions, Christ created them.
It does not matter what kind of world or
creatures they may be—thrones, dominions,
principalities, or powers—Christ created them all.
There is nothing in existence that He has not
created.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that
are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities
or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
that are in heaven and that are on earth

⇒ no planet
⇒ no star
⇒ no creature

ated
⇒ no dimension
⇒ no vegetation
s c re
⇒ no mineral
⇒ no element su
Je ll!!!!!
⇒ no thing
a
Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

Jesus Christ is before all things.

This is a critical point; it means two things.
 Jesus Christ was before all things in
time.
 Before the first thing was ever created,
Jesus Christ was already there.
 He is not a created being; He is the
Creator.
 There was nothing existing in the
universe when He created.
 Before the beginning of time, before the
universe ever existed, He was there.
 He alone is eternal.
Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
“In him all things consist.”
The word “consist” (sunistao) = “to set together, combine, associate, unite,
band together... to put together, organize, frame...
Consider the fact that the author of Hebrews said that Christ “upholds all
things by the word of his power...” (Heb. 1:3).
The words of Jesus represent eternal life and thereby are the essence of power
(Jn. 5:24).
The power of the spoken word of Christ is seen in that even the elements of
creation obey His voice (cf. Matt. 8:26-27).
Apparently by the very words of Jesus is not only the physical universe put
together and held in place but too the visible and invisible ranks are held
together.
We know that the Lord simply spoke and the creation came into existence by
the power of His great might (Ps. 33:6-8).
This verse appears to indicate that Jesus also controls the continuity of all
things by His divine words.
The church, civil government, and the hierarchy of angels are under
consideration.
Jesus is over all!
 Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the
preeminence.
head of the body. Col 2:19.
Paul uses the human body as a metaphor for the church,
of which Christ serves as the “head.”
Just as a body is controlled from the brain, so Christ
controls every part of the church and gives it life and
direction.
Eph. 4:15; 5:23.
If Christ is the head, the idea is that we must not follow
nor entertain any other idea or ideas regarding the
church.
The church belongs to Christ.
Without his direction as a head, we are completely lost.
The body cannot have more than one head. For that
reason we reject any visible heads here on earth and
embraced the Bible doctrine that Christ: Purchased the
church, died for the church, and shed His precious blood
for the church.
Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the
preeminence.

“The resurrection of Christ and the church are tied

together.
 Every person who truly believes in the resurrection of
Christ is a true member of the Lord’s church.
 Every true member of the church is a person who has
truly believed in the resurrection of Christ.
 There is no person who is a true member of the
church who has not believed in the resurrection of
Christ.
 There is no person who is a member of God’s true
church who has not believed in the Lord’s
resurrection.
Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the
preeminence.
The resurrection of Christ and the life of the church means there
is a new life available for people.
When Christ was raised from the dead, His body and life were
entirely different from His former body and life.
He had a changed body and life; He was raised to live a new life,
to live face to face with God forever.
So it is with the church.
The church is to be a picture of the resurrected and changed life
of Christ.
The church is...
 to be entirely different from the world
 to be separated from the world and given over completely to
God
 to live its life as though it is face to face with God
Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the
preeminence.

Jesus’ preeminent status over His creation is seen in Col

1:15.
 As Creator “He is before all things” in supremacy (Col
1:17a) and is “the firstborn from the dead” (Col 1:18; Rv
1:5):
 the first to be resurrected and the One having authority
over the resurrection of the dead.
 Additionally, Jesus’ post-resurrection transfiguration is a
preview of the glorious transfiguration of the saints in the
future (Rm 8:29).
 He was born to be the first among us.
 He died to be the first from the dead.
 We can receive the same blessing if we follow faithfully!
Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should
dwell,
Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should
dwell,

 The Father doesn't resent the equality of the Son.  

 In 'God' we find complete unity, admiration, love,
respect, and purpose (John 10:30).  
 There has never been and there will never be a "power-
struggle" among the members of the Godhead.  
 In contrast, observe the jealousy, envy, etc...that is found
among the "god's" in other religious systems.
 “In Christ” the full nature of God''the whole of the divine
perfections'(Col 2:9)
 In Jesus dwells ALL, not a bit, not 75%, not 99%, but all
that God is, and all that we cannot comprehend, all that
our minds cannot explain with simple words are in Jesus!
 The reason for all this: IT PLEASED THE FATHER!
Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him,
whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through
the blood of His cross.

 The Greek word for “reconcile” means “to change” or

“exchange.”
 Its New Testament usage refers to a change in the sinner’s
relationship to God (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18-21).
 Man is reconciled to God when God restores man to a right
relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
 An intensified form for “reconcile” is used in this verse to refer to
the total and complete reconciliation of believers and ultimately
“all things” in the created universe (Rom. 8:21; 2 Peter 3:10-13).
 This text does not teach that as a result, all will believe; rather it
teaches that all will ultimately submit (Phil. 2:9-11).
 God and those He saved are no longer at enmity with each other.
 Jesus is the One who reconciles and He is the reconciliation as
well.
Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him,
whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the
blood of His cross.
 The blood of Jesus Christ puts all who will believe in reconciliation
with God.
 It is very difficult to separate Jesus from the Father here.
 Jesus opened the entrance to the Father when the veil was torn from
top to bottom in the temple when He was crucified.
 His blood makes it possible for all who believe to stand in front of
Jesus (the Judge of the world), justified.
 In that sense, He reconciled us to himself and with the Father with His
shed blood at Calvary.
 We know also, that Jesus is the King of Peace.
 To know that you are just as if you had never sinned (justified), would
bring you perfect peace.
 Jesus (the Word), is Creator God.
 It is understandable that He would be the One to justify His creation.
Since He created all things, He also justified all things.
Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
“Alienated and enemies”:
 The Greek term for “alienated” means “estranged,” “cut off,” or
“separated.”
 Before they were reconciled, all people were completely estranged from
God (Eph. 2:12-13).
 Unbelievers hate God and resent His holy standard because they love “evil
deeds” (John 3:19-20; 15:18, 24-25).
 There is alienation from both sides, since God hates “all who do iniquity”
(Psalm 5:5).
 Reconciliation is the act whereby God, through Christ’s atonement,
brings men who are at odds with Him, back into a peaceful, proper
relationship with Himself.
 To be "alienated" is to be away from God.
 The mind is an enemy of God, before it is changed to the mind of Christ.
Romans 8:7
 The carnal mind is enemy of God, because it is of the flesh. All of mankind
had a fleshly nature, before they came to God.
Colossians 1:22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy,
and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-
Christ was the substitution: His death on the cross paid the full penalty for the
sin of all who believe made reconciliation possible and actual ( 2 Cor. 5:18-
21; Rom. 3:25).
 “In the body of his flesh through death” (or, “by His fleshly body through
death”):
 The Colossian heretics may have argued that Jesus’ humanity and death
indicate His inferiority to the angelic beings in the universe.
 Paul turns this argument against them, showing that His death points to His
superiority; for His death is the divine means of achieving reconciliation to
God.
 “To present you holy … in his sight” (or bring you holy … into His
presence”):
 This expresses the ultimate purpose of reconciliation: it is to eventually
usher the believer, made perfectly holy, into the heavenly presence of God.
 “Holy” refers to the believer’s positional relationship to God, he is
separated from sin and set apart to God by imputed righteousness.
 This is justification (Phil. 3:8-9).
Colossians 1:22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy,
and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-
 Because of the believer’s union with Christ in His death and resurrection,
God considers Christians as holy as His Son (Eph. 1:4; 2 Cor. 5:21).
 Christians are also “blameless” (without blemish), and “beyond reproach”
(no one can bring a charge against them; (Rom. 8:33; Phil. 2:15).
 We are to be presented to Christ, when we meet Him, as a chaste bride
(Eph. 5:25-27; 2 Cor. 11:2).
 It was the body of the Lord Jesus Christ that suffered death for our sins.
 It is very important for them to realize that Jesus had a physical body.
 He suffered on the cross in His body of flesh, as you or I would suffer.
 We are without blemish, without blame, in fact justified by the blood of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
 Jesus made us acceptable before the Father, when He washed us in His
precious blood.
 It is Jesus who made us acceptable to stand before Himself as Judge of
the world.
 He also, opened the way to the Father for us.
Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast,
and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which
was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a
minister.
continue in the faith. Acts 11:23; 14:22.
 Those who have been reconciled will persevere in faith
and obedience because, in addition to being declared
righteous, they are actually made new creatures (2 Cor.
5:17) with a new disposition that loves God, hates sin,
desires obedience, and is energized by the indwelling
Holy Spirit through the Word (John 8:30–32).
 Rather than defect from the gospel they heard, true
believers will remain solid on Christ who is the only
foundation (1 Cor. 3:11), and faithful by the enabling
grace of God (Phil. 1:6).
preached to every creature. Mark 16:15.
 The gospel has no racial boundaries.
 Having reached Rome, where Paul was when he wrote
Colossians, it had reached the center of the known world.
Colossians 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the
church,

my sufferings.
 Paul’s present imprisonment (Acts 28:16, 30).
fill up…what is lacking.
 Paul was experiencing the persecution intended for
Christ.
 In spite of His death on the cross, Christ’s enemies had
not gotten their fill of inflicting injury on Him.
 So they turned their hatred on those who preached the
gospel (John 15:18, 24; 16:1–3).
 It was in that sense that Paul filled up what was
lacking in Christ’s afflictions (2 Cor. 1:5; Gal. 6:17).
the sake of His body.
 Paul’s motivation for enduring suffering was to benefit
and build Christ’s church. Phil. 1:13, 29, 30.
Colossians 1:25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship
from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,

 A steward was a slave who managed his master’s

household, supervising the other servants, dispensing
resources, and handling business and financial affairs.
 Paul viewed his ministry as a stewardship from the Lord.
 The church is God’s household (1 Tim. 3:15), and Paul
was given the task of caring for, feeding, and leading the
churches, for which he was accountable to God (Heb.
13:17).
 All believers are responsible for managing the abilities
and resources God gives them ( 1 Pet. 4:10). to fulfill the
word of God.
 This refers to Paul’s single-minded devotion to
completely fulfill the ministry God gave him to preach
the whole counsel of God to those to whom God sent him
(Acts 20:27; 2 Tim. 4:7).
Colossians 1:26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from
generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

mystery. 2:2; 4:3.

 Matt. 13:11; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 3:4, 5.
 This refers to truth, hidden until now,
but revealed for the first time to the
saints in the NT.
 Such truth includes the mystery of the
incarnate God (2:2, 3, 9), Israel’s
unbelief (Rom. 11:25), lawlessness (2
Thess. 2:7), the unity of Jew and
Gentile made one in the church (Eph.
3:3–6).
 In this passage, the mystery is
specifically identified in v. 27.
Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of
the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the
hope of glory.

Gentiles…Christ in you.
 The OT predicted the coming of the
Messiah and that the Gentiles would
partake of salvation (Is. 42:6; 49:6; 60:1–
3; Psa. 22:27),
 That believers, both Jew and Gentile, now
possess the surpassing riches of the
indwelling Christ is the glorious revealed
mystery (John 14:23; Rom. 8:9, 10).
the hope of glory.
 The indwelling Spirit of Christ is the
guarantee to each believer of future glory
(Rom. 8:11; Eph. 1:13, 14; 1 Pet. 1:3, 4).
Colossians 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man
in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
The connection between Christ and Truth
continues.
o To proclaim Christ is to proclaim truth.
o Teaching Christ is teaching truth.
o True wisdom comes from the word of God.
o Since the word of God reveals Jesus then
knowing Jesus is having wisdom.
Those who receive the gospel message as it is
preached have the opportunity of being “perfect
in Christ.”
o Perfection has various meanings in the word of
God.
o One is seen as perfect if their mind is bent on
making it to heaven (Phil. 3:15), gaining spiritual
growth (Heb. 6:1), and receiving the forgiveness
of sins (Col. 1:28; Heb. 7:18-19; 10:1).
Colossians 1:29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working
which works in me mightily.

I…labor, striving according to His working.

 Here is the balance of Christian living.
 Paul gave the effort to serve and honor God
with all his might.
“Labor” refers to working to the point of
exhaustion.
 The Gr. word for “striving” gives us the
Eng. word “agonize” and refers to the
effort required to compete in an athletic
event.
 At the same time, he knew the effective
“striving” or work, with spiritual and
eternal results was being done by God
through him (Phil. 2:11–13; cf. 1 Cor.
15:10, 58).