Colossians 1:3-8

Here is the Word .doc for the following lesson. Colossians Study 2

There are 183 days until we officially need to be ready to answer the question “what are you thankful for”.  I readily admit that I don’t spend nearly enough time thinking about that question.  Now consider how replete the scripture is with instructions to give thanks to God.  A form of the word thanks or thankful appears ~150 times in the NT.  But what is most instructive is the repeated object of that thankfulness.

I happened upon the website http://thankfulfor.com as I was searching for ‘things people are thankful for’.  What follows is a sampling of items that I thought were interesting.

• catching up with family this weekend in the land of 10,000 lakes
• the attic fan. Don’t even need the A/C yet!
• I’m thankful for a fun day off with the boy yesterday Free White Sox game, ballpark nachos, Robin Hood movie date, and SOUPLANTATION/SWEET TOMATOES. WOOT
• Wisdom to continue with a right decision, as hard as it can be sometimes. Using words for encouragement. Ribbon. Flowers. Costco. America. The prospect of going to church tomorrow. I’m so thankful, God.
• Google ~ Go there today and “insert coin” to play Pac Man! Happy 30th B’day, Pac Man!
• God’s grace
• I’m thankful that my Lakers are playing so well in the Western Conference Finals
• Kids growing up and showing independence
• Dog slobber!!!
• the universe stopping me before I made a mistake.
• Thankful to live in a place where the garbage truck takes away the trash from my house. Even if it’s at 6 am
• My new iPhone that arrived today after a three month wait!
• my openness to growth and change. I’d be such a different person, and possibly a really negative person, if it wasn’t for it.

As you can see, the things for which people are thankful for run the gamut.  From the seemingly trivial, to the momentous.

Anyone who has spent any time at all in a church that engages in the practice of “testimony time” knows that even for Christians, placing our gratitude in its correct place is sometimes an elusive task.  One of the reasons why we study and meditate upon scripture is so that our minds would:

1. be made aware that God is the benefactor of all things
2. we as the beneficiaries would be overwhelmed by gratitude
3. give all thanks to whom it is due

Verse 3

Paul continues his introduction with a word of thanksgiving, “We give thanks to God”, and who should he attribute these praiseworthy gratitudes to but God Himself.  Paul rightly understood God as the giver of all things.   He also establishes what will become a integral part of his apologetic in presenting the supremacy of Christ by establishing Jesus’ kinship with the Father. “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”. In introducing his piece on prayer, “praying always for you”, Paul also explains to us the situation that prompted his thanksgiving in the first place,  In fact, another way to translate this verse that might provide a bit more clarity to its structure is “In our prayers for you we always thank God”.

Verse 4

A verb that figures prominently in this first chapter is ἀκούω which means ‘to hear’.  Paul writes, “since we heard”. As is the case with English, hearing doesn’t always denote understanding.  However its appearance here is rather straightforward.  Paul now gives us the reason for his thanksgiving in vs 3.  Epaphras has traveled over 1,000 miles to bring news of the Colossian believers.  This thanks takes the form of three graces.  “Faith…Love…Hope.”  Paul likes this trio and has referred to it previously.

“But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. ”
1 Corinthians 13:13, NASB95

“constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, ”
1 Thessalonians 1:3, NASB95

Let’s look at their ‘faith’ first.  “of your faith in Christ Jesus”. Please note that the faith ascribed to these brethren is not an ambiguous faith.  Not a fanciful interest in an unnamed deity, but faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of the living God.  Pistis (faith) means to be persuaded that something is true and to trust in it.  Far more than mere intellectual assent, it involves obedience.  Saving faith is carefully defined in Scripture and needs to be understood because there is a dead, non-saving faith that provides false security (James 2:14–26).

James 2:14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

Throughout the text of scripture we see as an evidence of genuine discipleship and regeneration the loving of the brethren.

The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1 John 2:9-11

By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
1 John 3:10

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35

We must understand that true faith does not exist in a vacuum, but inevitably and persistently manifests itself in our lives.  Most notably through our love for the brethren, “and the love that you have for all the saints”. One of the effects of faith in Christ is a growing attraction and desire for Christ.  And seeing that other believers are His embodiment, however imperfect, we will be naturally drawn towards one another as if unto Christ Himself.

Verse 5

The last of our trio is that of hope.  “because of the hope laid up for you in heaven”. There isn’t much in terms of a word study that can bring much more clarity to this word than what we already understand it to mean.  “a patient waiting and a confident expectation”.  In fact it is this very expectation that our two previous nouns spring from.  The NIV translates the verse this way.

“the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven”
Colossians 1:5, NIV

And stored up for our eternal pleasure in Heaven is the gift of God Himself.

Included in this next seemingly simple statement of Paul’s is an unspoken commendation of Epaphras.  “of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel”. For Paul reminds his readers that the message of Christ he has already written and will continue to pen is the same good news that they have already heard from Epaphras.  Remember when I told you that we’d see that verb “to hear” again?  Well here it is again, maybe to emphasize the fact that although this gospel is regarded as foolish by “those that are perishing” 1 Cor 1:18.  To those whom God has given ears to hear, and eyes to see it is based on fact and grounded in evidence.  Or as Hebrews 11:1 puts it “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

The phrase “word of truth” appears at least 3 other times in the NT.

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, ” (Ephesians 1:13, NASB95)

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. ” (2 Timothy 2:15, NASB95)

“In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. ” (James 1:18, NASB95)

Here we see the first appearance of the word gospel in the letter.  Probably no other word in Christendom has been so used by so many to say so little about news so great.  The gospel has become a catch-all for every activity under the sun.  From gospel magic to gospel bowling, we have sought to legitimize our endless parade of inane business by attaching the precious story of redemption to it.  Gospel literally means “good news”.  This simple definition ought to adequately drive us to a proper and fuller definition by answering two questions.  Namely,

1. What is the news?
2. Why is it good?

Answering the one fully will require us to examine the other and vice versa.  For instance, if I was to say to you that the gospel was the fact that Jesus died on the cross to save you, would you say that is the gospel?  You might say Yes and No.  Yes that is the news, at least part of it.  Then again, you might furrow your brow and say “save me from what”?  What makes this news good?  Now if I explained to you that you were under the just condemnation of a Holy Judge because of your crimes and awaited your death sentence, this saving message takes on a completely different meaning.  Paul’s letter beautifully explores the different aspects of this news.

I like how John Piper puts it in his book God is the Gospel

Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! All rebels, insurgents, dissidents, and protesters against the King! Hear the royal decree! A great day of reckoning is coming, a day of justice and vengeance. But now hear this, all inhabitants of the King’s realm! Amnesty is herewith published by the mercy of your Sovereign. A price has been paid. All debts may be forgiven. All rebellion absolved. All dishonor pardoned. None is excluded from this offer. Lay down the weapons of rebellion, kneel in submission, receive the royal amnesty as a gift of imperial love, swear fealty to your sovereign, and rise a free and happy subject of your King.

Our English word evangel comes from the greek εὐαγγέλιον.  As is common in many English words, εὐαγγέλιον can take the form of a noun or a verb(εὐαγγελίζω).

And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel(noun) and believe
Acts 15:7

Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached(verb) to you the gospel(noun), which you received, in which you stand,
I Cor 15:1

So as we go through the letter keep in mind both the simplicity and complexity of what the gospel means, the beauty of the diamond as a whole and the intricacies of the individual facets.

Verse 6

It would seem that Paul writes this piece of text for their instruction. “which has come to you, just as in all the world”. They are reminded that Jesus Christ is not another tribal deity whose influence is confined to certain geographic area.  The glorious news of the Sovereign Christ is for the entire world.  The diffusion of the gospel throughout the Roman Empire foreshadowed its spread throughout the world. It is a message of hope for all people in all cultures. The true church, the Body of Christ, is made up of people from all over the world.

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Rev 5:9

And as we mentioned in our study last week, far from being an ineffectual message of moral compliance, the gospel is living and alive.  “also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it”. Those whose hearts have been divinely prepared and received this gospel have manifested its results in not only radical obedience but mind transformation.  This isn’t news to the Colossians, they are experiencing it!  Since the day they heard and believed the preached word, they became partakers with others throughout the world in the wondrous working of the gospel.

Hearing is sometimes insufficient.  Ashley experiences this on a regular basis.  Because of her hearing loss she often has trouble distinguishing words, particularly in a crowded room.  And its often not because of a lack of hearing the sound from the lips of a person, but in the ability to distinguish and understand the words spoken.  Such was not the case with the Colossians.  “and understood the grace of God in truth”. I’m not going to spend a lot of time on this but consider the reason why those who lack understanding do so. It is not given to them.  In fulfillment of the prophecy given to Isaiah we read in Mark’s gospel,

so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”—Mark 4:12

We must always be careful to always attribute any spiritual understanding we have as given to us by a gracious God.  For without it, we would continue in darkness, despair and death.

Verse 7

And who was it that taught them the truth of the Gospel?  “just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant”. We are introduced to Epaphras the pastor.  I say pastor because from what we learn about his role and care for this body of believers, he is sure acting like one.  Paul identifies Epaphras as the man who is teaching this body and who is

“always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. ” (Colossians 4:12, NASB95)

And if I understand 4:13 correctly,

“For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.” (Colossians 4:13, NASB95)

He might’ve also been instrumental in the founding of the church’s in those two cities as well.  Paul describes him as a ‘slave’ of Christ.  It’s unfortunate that many translations choose to render the Greek word δοῦλος as a bondservant or servant, since these are completely different positions from that of a slave.  He is wholly owned by his master Jesus Christ.  He does not go to work for Him from 8-5 and return back home.  His life and breath are dependent upon his master.  And Paul regards that Epaphras has labored well.  The Colossian church heard and understood the message exactly as Epaphras told it to them and he paid him the compliment of confirming that he got the message right.  Here is why I say that.

• vs6 heard and understood the grace of God
• vs7 “just as” Epaphras taught it
• vs7 “who is faithful”

“who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf”. He is faithfully serving Christ just as Paul would want to be doing if he were able.

Paul rounds out this section by recognizing that greatest of fruits in their lives.  “and he also informed us of your love in the spirit”. Paul regards love (agape) as the first and most important fruit of God’s saving grace.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22

1 Corinthians 13

So as we bring the thought of thanks full circle, consider Paul’s testimony.  In his imprisonment he praises God for the gospel, and for the Colossians’ reception of it.  In light of that, let us consider not only that which we are grateful for, but the wonderful privilege and sobering responsibility of being His agents in proclaiming this gospel of His grace.