Setting – Paul outlines the gospel to the Colossians
Content – The Colossians were faithful followers of and ministers of the gospel (v. 4 NASB) “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints” They have been growing in their faith (v. 6 NASB) “which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as {it has been doing} in you also since the day you heard {of it} and understood the grace of God in truth” Prayers continued for their faith and understanding of the gospel (v. 9 NASB) “we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” The reason for their pray was (v. 10 NASB) [the pinnacle verse in Colossians] “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please {Him} in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”
Paul expounds on the gospel message, (v. 13-14 NASB) “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Furthermore, Paul explains that Christ is the head, or highest rank in position, of all things (v. 15 NASB) “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” He not only ranks first in creation, but also the church; body of the church (v. 18a NASB) “He is also head of the body, the church;” He was also (v. 18 NASB) “the firstborn from the dead”, this is stating that Christ was the first to resurrect from the dead with the new heavenly body (see 1 Corth. 15:35-52). The NLT states verse 15 as “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation.” We see that all things exist because of Christ (v. 16 NASB) “For by Him all things were created, {both} in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Through his death (v. 22 NASB) “He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach”
Application – Paul reiterates the foundation elements of the gospel, that Christ ranks first in all creation, that all the goodness of God dwells in him, through him he created all things, that through his death he reconciled his creation back to himself, that he is the first to be resurrected from the dead with his heavenly body, etc.
The gospel, “Good News”, is just that Good News. When we refresh ourselves on the gospel it’s a reminder of the glorious reality of knowing we have been made right with our God. We are a friend and brother/sister of Christ and we will share in the inheritance of God blessings given to Christ. Christ was the innocent sacrifice, just like the sacrificial lambs in the Old Testament, that paid the penalty for our sin; the sin that separated us from our Creator (God). Because of Christ, we can stand blameless before God, without fear of His wrath against us. Our wrongs have been forgiven and we’ve been made right.
Content – The Colossians were faithful followers of and ministers of the gospel (v. 4 NASB) “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints” They have been growing in their faith (v. 6 NASB) “which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as {it has been doing} in you also since the day you heard {of it} and understood the grace of God in truth” Prayers continued for their faith and understanding of the gospel (v. 9 NASB) “we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” The reason for their pray was (v. 10 NASB) [the pinnacle verse in Colossians] “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please {Him} in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”
Paul expounds on the gospel message, (v. 13-14 NASB) “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Furthermore, Paul explains that Christ is the head, or highest rank in position, of all things (v. 15 NASB) “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” He not only ranks first in creation, but also the church; body of the church (v. 18a NASB) “He is also head of the body, the church;” He was also (v. 18 NASB) “the firstborn from the dead”, this is stating that Christ was the first to resurrect from the dead with the new heavenly body (see 1 Corth. 15:35-52). The NLT states verse 15 as “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation.” We see that all things exist because of Christ (v. 16 NASB) “For by Him all things were created, {both} in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Through his death (v. 22 NASB) “He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach”
Application – Paul reiterates the foundation elements of the gospel, that Christ ranks first in all creation, that all the goodness of God dwells in him, through him he created all things, that through his death he reconciled his creation back to himself, that he is the first to be resurrected from the dead with his heavenly body, etc.
The gospel, “Good News”, is just that Good News. When we refresh ourselves on the gospel it’s a reminder of the glorious reality of knowing we have been made right with our God. We are a friend and brother/sister of Christ and we will share in the inheritance of God blessings given to Christ. Christ was the innocent sacrifice, just like the sacrificial lambs in the Old Testament, that paid the penalty for our sin; the sin that separated us from our Creator (God). Because of Christ, we can stand blameless before God, without fear of His wrath against us. Our wrongs have been forgiven and we’ve been made right.
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