Monday: Colossians 1
Tuesday: Colossians 2
Wednesday: Colossians 3
Thursday: Colossians 4
Friday: Philemon 1
Saturday: Ezra 1
Sunday: Ezra 2
Tuesday: Colossians 2
Wednesday: Colossians 3
Thursday: Colossians 4
Friday: Philemon 1
Saturday: Ezra 1
Sunday: Ezra 2
The Letter to the Colossians
Your faith in Christ Jesus
The love you have for all God’s people
Your faith and love come from hope.
Your hope is…
Stored up in heaven
Heard in the truth of the Gospel
The Gospel is…
Bearing fruit (productive)
Growing (spreading) throughout the whole world
Growing within you
what you learned from Epaphras
Epaphras is…
A fellow servant
A minister of Christ on the Apostles’ behalf
The one who reported the Colossians’ love to the Apostles
Paul then offers a prayer for the Colossians’ knowledge and growth, saying, “We always pray for you” so that you may…
Know the knowledge of God’s will
Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way
Bear fruit in every good work
Grow in the knowledge of God
Be strengthened with all power
Have great endurance and patience
Give joyful thanks to the Father
The Father has…
Qualified you to share in the inheritance of his people in the kingdom of light
Rescued us from the dominion of darkness
Brought us into his beloved Son’s kingdom
By the Son…
We are redeemed
We are forgiven
Paul then offers a Hymn to Christ the Lord, saying the Son is…
The image of the invisible God
The firstborn over all creation
Creator of all things
He created all…
Things in heaven and on earth
Things visible and invisible
Thrones
Powers
Rulers
Authorities
The Son…
Was before all things
Is the one who holds all things together
Is he head of the body, the church
Is he beginning and firstborn from among the dead
Holds supremacy in everything
It was God’s pleasure to…
Have his fullness dwell in the Son
Reconcile all things to himself through the Son
All things include…
Things on earth
Things in heaven
How was this peace of reconciliation accomplished?
By the blood of the Son, shed on the cross
Paul then affirms Christ as the Reconciler. He tells the Colossians that back in the old days, they were…
Alienated from God
Enemies in their minds
Practicing evil behavior
But now they are…
Reconciled by the physical death of Christ’s body
Holy in God’s sight
Without blemish
Free from accusation
But the condition to this is that they…
Continue in faith, established and firm
Do not move from the hope held out in the Gospel
This Gospel…
Is what they heard
Has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven
Has made Paul its servant
Paul then discusses his commission concerning the Mystery of Christ. Paul’s past labors aimed at perfection in Christ. Paul rejoices over his suffering for the Colossians and he says he “fills up in his flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions” (in other words… not only did Christ have to suffer for the Colossians salvation, Paul did as well). Has become a servant for the church and has been commissioned by God to present the word of God in its fullness.
The word of God…
Contained a mystery kept hidden for ages
Now discloses the mystery to the Lord’s people
Makes known this mystery among the Gentiles
The mystery is…
Christ in you, the hope of glory
We…
Proclaim Christ
Admonish and teach everyone with all wisdom
Why?
To present everyone fully mature in Christ
Context of Colossians
Paul had not yet visited the city when he wrote this theologically important letter. A small town in the Roman province of Asia, Colossae was located about 100 miles east of Ephesus, the provincial capital. Epaphras, one of Paul’s missionary associates, had apparently founded the church a short time prior to Paul’s writing. Colossians was probably composed at about the same time as Philemon, to which it is closely related. In both letters, Paul writes from prison, including his friend Timothy in the salutation and adding greetings from many of the same persons – such as Onesimus, Archippus, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Mark, and Luke.
Themes of Colossians
Correction of false teachings (i.e., worship of angels)
The supremacy of Christ
Christ is supreme because God’s power now manifested in him was the same power that created the entire universe, including those invisible entities the false teachers mistakenly worship. When they realize Christ’s supremacy and experience his indwelling Spirit, the Colossians are initiated into his mystery cult, voluntarily harmonizing their lives with the cosmic unity he embodies.
Chapter 1
The salutation claims the letter to be written by Paul and Timothy and addresses the Colossians as faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. In the first part of the letter, Paul gives an orthodox explanation on the sufficiency of Christ. He first offers a thanksgiving and prayer for the Colossians, saying, “We always thank God for you” because of…
Your faith in Christ Jesus
The love you have for all God’s people
Your faith and love come from hope.
Your hope is…
Stored up in heaven
Heard in the truth of the Gospel
The Gospel is…
Bearing fruit (productive)
Growing (spreading) throughout the whole world
Growing within you
what you learned from Epaphras
Epaphras is…
A fellow servant
A minister of Christ on the Apostles’ behalf
The one who reported the Colossians’ love to the Apostles
Paul then offers a prayer for the Colossians’ knowledge and growth, saying, “We always pray for you” so that you may…
Know the knowledge of God’s will
Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way
Bear fruit in every good work
Grow in the knowledge of God
Be strengthened with all power
Have great endurance and patience
Give joyful thanks to the Father
The Father has…
Qualified you to share in the inheritance of his people in the kingdom of light
Rescued us from the dominion of darkness
Brought us into his beloved Son’s kingdom
By the Son…
We are redeemed
We are forgiven
Paul then offers a Hymn to Christ the Lord, saying the Son is…
The image of the invisible God
The firstborn over all creation
Creator of all things
He created all…
Things in heaven and on earth
Things visible and invisible
Thrones
Powers
Rulers
Authorities
The Son…
Was before all things
Is the one who holds all things together
Is he head of the body, the church
Is he beginning and firstborn from among the dead
Holds supremacy in everything
It was God’s pleasure to…
Have his fullness dwell in the Son
Reconcile all things to himself through the Son
All things include…
Things on earth
Things in heaven
How was this peace of reconciliation accomplished?
By the blood of the Son, shed on the cross
Paul then affirms Christ as the Reconciler. He tells the Colossians that back in the old days, they were…
Alienated from God
Enemies in their minds
Practicing evil behavior
But now they are…
Reconciled by the physical death of Christ’s body
Holy in God’s sight
Without blemish
Free from accusation
But the condition to this is that they…
Continue in faith, established and firm
Do not move from the hope held out in the Gospel
This Gospel…
Is what they heard
Has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven
Has made Paul its servant
Paul then discusses his commission concerning the Mystery of Christ. Paul’s past labors aimed at perfection in Christ. Paul rejoices over his suffering for the Colossians and he says he “fills up in his flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions” (in other words… not only did Christ have to suffer for the Colossians salvation, Paul did as well). Has become a servant for the church and has been commissioned by God to present the word of God in its fullness.
The word of God…
Contained a mystery kept hidden for ages
Now discloses the mystery to the Lord’s people
Makes known this mystery among the Gentiles
The mystery is…
Christ in you, the hope of glory
We…
Proclaim Christ
Admonish and teach everyone with all wisdom
Why?
To present everyone fully mature in Christ
Chapter 2
Paul’s discussed his present concern regarding defection from Christ. Paul claims to be working extremely hard for…
the Colossians
the Laodiceans
everyone he has not personally met
Paul’s goal is that…
They may be encouraged in heart
They may be united in love
They may have the full riches of complete understanding
They may know the mystery of God, which is Christ
This mystery called Christ contains all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Why is Paul saying this?
So that no one will deceive the Colossians with fine-sounding arguments
Because he is physically away from them but with them spiritually
Because he loves their discipline
Because he loves the firmness of their faith in Christ
He wants them to continue living for Christ
He wants them to overflow with thankfulness
In the next section of the letter Paul responds to heterodox arguments that deny the sufficiency of Christ. He makes a statement against heretics, saying, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
He then restates Christ’s sufficiency in his authority:
In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form
In Christ you have been brought to fullness
Christ is the head over every power and authority.
He then restates Christ’s sufficiency in his power in us:
In him you were circumcised not physically but spiritually
He cut off the flesh that ruled over you
You were buried with him in baptism
You were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
He then restates Christ’s sufficiency in his victory:
When you were dead in sin, God made you alive with Christ
He forgave all our sins
He canceled our debt
He says that our debt…
Condemned us
Was taken away by Christ
Was nailed to the cross by Christ
He says that the powers and authorities…
Were disarmed by Christ
Were made a public spectacle by Christ
Were triumphed over by Christ on the Cross
Paul then discusses the Colossians’ practices as a form of denying the sufficiency of Christ. He tells them not to let themselves be judged by…
What they eat or drink
A religious festival
A New Moon celebration
A Sabbath day
Why?
These are just a shadow of things to come
The reality is Christ
He tells them to not let themselves be disqualified by…
False humility
The worship of angels
He says that people like that are…
Prone to go on and on about what they’ve seen
Are puffed up with idle notions
Have unspiritual minds
Have lost connection with the head (Christ) from which the rest of the body (church) grows
Paul then discussed how The Colossians’ practices are a contradiction of their corporate life in Christ, and that death with Christ means death to human regulations. He says that they died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, so why should they submit to their rules of “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”
These rules…
Have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use
Are based on merely human commands and teachings
Have the appearance of wisdom
Have self-imposed worship
Have false humility
Treat the body harshly
Lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence
the Colossians
the Laodiceans
everyone he has not personally met
Paul’s goal is that…
They may be encouraged in heart
They may be united in love
They may have the full riches of complete understanding
They may know the mystery of God, which is Christ
This mystery called Christ contains all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Why is Paul saying this?
So that no one will deceive the Colossians with fine-sounding arguments
Because he is physically away from them but with them spiritually
Because he loves their discipline
Because he loves the firmness of their faith in Christ
He wants them to continue living for Christ
He wants them to overflow with thankfulness
In the next section of the letter Paul responds to heterodox arguments that deny the sufficiency of Christ. He makes a statement against heretics, saying, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
He then restates Christ’s sufficiency in his authority:
In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form
In Christ you have been brought to fullness
Christ is the head over every power and authority.
He then restates Christ’s sufficiency in his power in us:
In him you were circumcised not physically but spiritually
He cut off the flesh that ruled over you
You were buried with him in baptism
You were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
He then restates Christ’s sufficiency in his victory:
When you were dead in sin, God made you alive with Christ
He forgave all our sins
He canceled our debt
He says that our debt…
Condemned us
Was taken away by Christ
Was nailed to the cross by Christ
He says that the powers and authorities…
Were disarmed by Christ
Were made a public spectacle by Christ
Were triumphed over by Christ on the Cross
Paul then discusses the Colossians’ practices as a form of denying the sufficiency of Christ. He tells them not to let themselves be judged by…
What they eat or drink
A religious festival
A New Moon celebration
A Sabbath day
Why?
These are just a shadow of things to come
The reality is Christ
He tells them to not let themselves be disqualified by…
False humility
The worship of angels
He says that people like that are…
Prone to go on and on about what they’ve seen
Are puffed up with idle notions
Have unspiritual minds
Have lost connection with the head (Christ) from which the rest of the body (church) grows
Paul then discussed how The Colossians’ practices are a contradiction of their corporate life in Christ, and that death with Christ means death to human regulations. He says that they died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, so why should they submit to their rules of “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”
These rules…
Have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use
Are based on merely human commands and teachings
Have the appearance of wisdom
Have self-imposed worship
Have false humility
Treat the body harshly
Lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence
Chapters 3-4
Paul says that resurrection with Christ means being brought into a new perspective. He says that since they have been raised with Christ, they should set their “hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” He adds, “Do not set your heart on earthly things.”
Why not?
Because you died
Because your life is now hidden with Christ in God
He says, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, you will also appear with him in glory.”
Paul then discusses orthopraxy… the sufficiency of Christ experienced. First, he discusses the sufficiency of Christ experienced individually. And he discusses the “putting off the old man.”
He says to put to death…
Whatever belongs to your earthly nature
Sexual immorality
Impurity
Lust
Evil desires
Greed (which is idolatry)
He says that because of these things the wrath of God is coming. He says that they used to live like this, but now they must rid themselves of…
Anger
Rage
Malice
Slander
Filthy language from their lips
Lying to each other
Why?
they have taken off the old self with its practices
they have put on the new self
they are being renewed in the knowledge and image of their Creator
In this new life…
There is no Jew or Gentile
There is no circumcised or uncircumcised
There is no barbarian or Scythian
There is no slave or free
Christ is all
Christ is in all
Paul then discusses “putting on the new man.” He says that as God’s chosen people…
they are holy
they are dearly loved
And he says that they must clothe themselves with…
Compassion
Kindness
Humility
Gentleness
Patience
And that they must…
Bear with each other
Forgive each other’s grievances
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you”
And he says, “Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” And he tells them to be thankful and let the message of Christ richly dwell among them.
Why not?
Because you died
Because your life is now hidden with Christ in God
He says, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, you will also appear with him in glory.”
Paul then discusses orthopraxy… the sufficiency of Christ experienced. First, he discusses the sufficiency of Christ experienced individually. And he discusses the “putting off the old man.”
He says to put to death…
Whatever belongs to your earthly nature
Sexual immorality
Impurity
Lust
Evil desires
Greed (which is idolatry)
He says that because of these things the wrath of God is coming. He says that they used to live like this, but now they must rid themselves of…
Anger
Rage
Malice
Slander
Filthy language from their lips
Lying to each other
Why?
they have taken off the old self with its practices
they have put on the new self
they are being renewed in the knowledge and image of their Creator
In this new life…
There is no Jew or Gentile
There is no circumcised or uncircumcised
There is no barbarian or Scythian
There is no slave or free
Christ is all
Christ is in all
Paul then discusses “putting on the new man.” He says that as God’s chosen people…
they are holy
they are dearly loved
And he says that they must clothe themselves with…
Compassion
Kindness
Humility
Gentleness
Patience
And that they must…
Bear with each other
Forgive each other’s grievances
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you”
And he says, “Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” And he tells them to be thankful and let the message of Christ richly dwell among them.
He instructs them to teach and admonish each other with…
All wisdom
Psalms
Hymns
Songs from the Spirit
Singing to God
Gratitude in their hearts
And he adds, “…whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Paul then discusses the sufficiency of Christ as experienced in the home. First, he addresses wives and husbands. To wives he says, “Submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. To husbands he says, “Love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
Paul then addresses children and parents. To children he says, “Obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” And to parents, specifically fathers, he says, “Do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”
Paul then addresses slaves and masters. To slaves he says, “Obey your earthly masters in everything. Do it not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor. Do it with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart. Work as for the Lord, not for human masters. You know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
And he adds, “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs. There is no favoritism.”
To masters he says, “Provide your slaves with what is right and fair. You know that you also have a Master in heaven.”
Paul then discusses the sufficiency of Christ as experienced in relation to others. First, he talks about the Colossians’ own relationship with himself. He asks them to devote themselves to prayer and to be watchful and thankful.
Paul says to pray for them so that…
God may open a door for their message
They may proclaim the mystery of Christ (for which Paul is in chains)
Paul may proclaim it clearly (as he should)
Paul then discusses the sufficiency of Christ in relation to unbelievers. He says that in the way they act toward outsiders they should…
Be wise
Make the most of every opportunity
Let their conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt
know how to answer everyone
Paul then offers his final greetings. He first commends Tychicus, saying that Tychicus will tell them all the news about him. he says that Tychicus is…
a dear brother
a faithful minister
a fellow servant in the Lord
He says he’s sending him to update them on their circumstances and to encourage their hearts, and he mentions that he is bringing Onesimus with him (see Paul’s letter to Philemon), whom he describes as a faithful brother and one of the Colossians’ number.
Paul then gives greetings from his co-workers. He starts with his fellow Jews: Aristarchus (whom he calls his fellow prisoner), Mark (the cousin of Barnabas, whom he says to welcome as already instructed), and Jesus (aka Justus).
Paul then gives greetings from his non-Jewish co-workers. He starts with Epaphras whom he describes as a prayer-wrestling member of the congregation and servant of Christ. He says he’s always praying that they will stand firm on God’s will and be mature. He says he vouches for him because he’s always working hard for the benefit of the Colossians as well as those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. He then gives greetings from Luke (his dear friend and doctor) and a man named Demas.
Paul then gives his own personal greetings to:
The brothers and sisters at Laodicea
Nympha and her house-church
Paul also leave instructions to let the Laodiceans read this letter after they’re done and to make sure to read the letter from the Laodiceans as well. He says to tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
He closes the letter by saying:
“I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
All wisdom
Psalms
Hymns
Songs from the Spirit
Singing to God
Gratitude in their hearts
And he adds, “…whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Paul then discusses the sufficiency of Christ as experienced in the home. First, he addresses wives and husbands. To wives he says, “Submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. To husbands he says, “Love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
Paul then addresses children and parents. To children he says, “Obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” And to parents, specifically fathers, he says, “Do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”
Paul then addresses slaves and masters. To slaves he says, “Obey your earthly masters in everything. Do it not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor. Do it with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart. Work as for the Lord, not for human masters. You know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
And he adds, “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs. There is no favoritism.”
To masters he says, “Provide your slaves with what is right and fair. You know that you also have a Master in heaven.”
Paul then discusses the sufficiency of Christ as experienced in relation to others. First, he talks about the Colossians’ own relationship with himself. He asks them to devote themselves to prayer and to be watchful and thankful.
Paul says to pray for them so that…
God may open a door for their message
They may proclaim the mystery of Christ (for which Paul is in chains)
Paul may proclaim it clearly (as he should)
Paul then discusses the sufficiency of Christ in relation to unbelievers. He says that in the way they act toward outsiders they should…
Be wise
Make the most of every opportunity
Let their conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt
know how to answer everyone
Paul then offers his final greetings. He first commends Tychicus, saying that Tychicus will tell them all the news about him. he says that Tychicus is…
a dear brother
a faithful minister
a fellow servant in the Lord
He says he’s sending him to update them on their circumstances and to encourage their hearts, and he mentions that he is bringing Onesimus with him (see Paul’s letter to Philemon), whom he describes as a faithful brother and one of the Colossians’ number.
Paul then gives greetings from his co-workers. He starts with his fellow Jews: Aristarchus (whom he calls his fellow prisoner), Mark (the cousin of Barnabas, whom he says to welcome as already instructed), and Jesus (aka Justus).
Paul then gives greetings from his non-Jewish co-workers. He starts with Epaphras whom he describes as a prayer-wrestling member of the congregation and servant of Christ. He says he’s always praying that they will stand firm on God’s will and be mature. He says he vouches for him because he’s always working hard for the benefit of the Colossians as well as those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. He then gives greetings from Luke (his dear friend and doctor) and a man named Demas.
Paul then gives his own personal greetings to:
The brothers and sisters at Laodicea
Nympha and her house-church
Paul also leave instructions to let the Laodiceans read this letter after they’re done and to make sure to read the letter from the Laodiceans as well. He says to tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
He closes the letter by saying:
“I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
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