Category: Colossians
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Remember the Chains – Colossians 4:18
Colossians 4:18 (a) The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. At the end of the letter, Paul takes the pen. Most of the epistle was likely dictated. But here he writes with his own hand. Remember my bonds. Not feel sorry for me.Not send me gifts.Not protest Rome. Remember. Chains clink…
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A Church in the House – Colossians 4:15–17
Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. The church in his house. Not a cathedral.Not a campus.A house. Walls that heard laughter.Rooms that held meals.A table that hosted conversation. And within those ordinary walls, a church. If you have a family, you have…
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Feed the Fire – Colossians 4:14
Colossians 4:14 (a) Luke, the beloved physician… Paul calls him beloved. Not doubted.Not tolerated.Beloved. Luke was a physician. Trained. Educated. Skilled. And this is the same Paul through whom extraordinary miracles occurred. Handkerchiefs carried healing power. Diseases fled. Demons departed. Yet Paul did not say, “If you had enough faith, you would not need a…
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Until It Breaks Through – Colossians 4:12–13
Colossians 4:12, 13 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them…
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A Comfort in the Kingdom – Colossians 4:11
Colossians 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. Paul names them. Not crowds.Not platforms.Not achievements. Names. Justus.Mark.Aristarchus.Onesimus. Men who stood near him.Men who worked beside him.Men who strengthened him. “These only are my…
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Receive Him – Colossians 4:10
Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) There is a story behind that simple instruction. Receive him. That “him” is John Mark. If you read the account in Acts, you know he once walked away. On the…
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Faithful and Beloved – Colossians 4:7–9
Colossians 4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord. Three titles. Beloved brother.Faithful minister.Fellowservant. No spotlight.No platform.No recorded sermon. Yet Paul trusts him with his heart and his message. Tychicus carried letters that would shape the Church for centuries. He…
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Seasoned and Thirst-Making – Colossians 4:6
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Paul is not talking about profanity. He is not saying, “Spice up your language.” He is talking about flavor. Salt preserves.Salt enhances.Salt creates thirst. Speech seasoned with salt is not harsh. It…
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Make the Minutes Matter – Colossians 4:5
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. People are watching. Neighbors.Coworkers.Cashiers.Classmates. Those “without” are forming impressions about Christ based on how we move through ordinary life. That is why Paul says walk in wisdom. Not sprint. Not pose. Walk. Wisdom is steady.Wisdom is aware.Wisdom understands that time is not…
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Chained but Unstopped – Colossians 4:3–4
Colossians 4:3, 4 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Paul is in prison. But he is not asking for the prison door to…
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Breathing Gratitude – Colossians 4:2
Colossians 4:2 (a) Continue in prayer… Leadership without prayer becomes pressure. Whether you oversee a company, guide a classroom, raise children, or simply manage your own responsibilities, the only way to carry authority well is to kneel first. Prayer keeps power from hardening the heart. “Father, You send the bread. Help me distribute it rightly.”That…
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The Great Reversal – Colossians 4:1
Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Heaven will rearrange everything. On earth, image often wins.Packaging persuades.Promotion elevates. Man looks at the outward appearance. God looks at the heart. That means some who were overlooked here will shine there. And…
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The Reward and the Reckoning – Colossians 3:24–25
Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Most people work for a paycheck.Some work for applause.A few work for legacy. But Scripture says something deeper. You serve the Lord Christ. That changes the entire motive of your life. An observer once…
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Work With Fire – Colossians 3:23
Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. There is no small work when it is done for the Lord. None. The issue is not the task.The issue is the heart. God uses men who know how to work. It was while Moses was tending sheep…
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Integrity When No One Is Looking – Colossians 3:22
Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God. This is about more than employment. It is about integrity. Paul speaks to servants in a culture where many had little choice about their circumstances. Yet instead of fueling resentment,…
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Build Them, Do Not Break Them – Colossians 3:21
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. The word discouraged is heavy. It means to lose heart.To feel small.To quietly give up inside. A father has enormous influence. His tone, his expectations, his reactions shape the atmosphere of a home. When that influence is steady and loving, children grow…
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The Smile of Heaven – Colossians 3:20
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. This is not complicated. It is not wrapped in theology.It is not buried in symbolism. Children, obey. Not because parents are perfect.Not because they always explain everything.Not because you always agree. But because it pleases the Lord. That…
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Guard Your Heart – Colossians 3:19
Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. The command is simple. Love her.Do not grow bitter toward her. Bitterness does not explode overnight. It seeps in quietly. It grows when expectations go unspoken. It hardens when dreams are misplaced. It takes root when a man looks to his wife to…
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Designed Order – Colossians 3:18
Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. There is protection inside that word own. Paul does not say, “Wives, submit to men.”He does not say, “Wives, submit to spiritual personalities.”He does not say, “Wives, submit to whoever has the strongest opinion.” He says, your own husbands.…
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His Nature in Everything – Colossians 3:17
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Paul sweeps the whole of life into one sentence. Whatever you do. In word.In deed. That covers conversations, decisions, habits, tone, work ethic, reactions. It includes the…
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Saturated Hearts – Colossians 3:16
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. The Word is not meant to skim the surface of your life. It is meant to soak it. Let it…
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Safe or Out – Colossians 3:15
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Paul says let the peace of God rule. The word carries the picture of an official at an athletic event. An umpire. One who makes the call. Safe. Out.…
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Wear Him – Colossians 3:10–14
Colossians 3:10–14 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of…
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Technically True – Colossians 3:9
Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. Paul moves from anger and corrupt speech to something more subtle. Do not lie. Not just blatant fabrication. The word carries the idea of bearing false witness. In Matthew 26, two witnesses stepped forward against Jesus.…
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Take It Off – Colossians 3:8
Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Paul shifts from killing inward lusts to removing outward reactions. Put off. Like taking off a dirty garment. These are not minor personality quirks. They are remnants of the old life. They do not belong…
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That Was Your Old Address – Colossians 3:6–7
Colossians 3:6–7 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. Paul now explains why sin cannot be treated casually. Because these things invite wrath. Not moodiness.Not irritation.Wrath. God’s settled opposition to everything that destroys what He created.…
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Radical Surgery – Colossians 3:5
Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Paul does not suggest. He commands. Mortify. Put to death. This is not cosmetic adjustment. This is not behavior management. This is execution language. If Christ is your life, then whatever belongs to…
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This Is What We Were Made For – Colossians 3:4
Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Paul does not say Christ gives us life. He says Christ is our life. Not a supplement.Not an enhancement.Not a religious accessory. Our life. Which means everything else is secondary. And then he makes a promise that steadies…
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Buried but Untouchable – Colossians 3:3
Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Paul does not soften it. You are dead. Dead to the world’s system of climbing, competing, proving. Dead to the pressure to extract identity from what fades. Dead to the fear that if you lose here, you lose everything. But…
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Sixteen Days Left – Colossians 3:1–2
Colossians 3:1–2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Paul does not say escape the earth. He says aim higher. If you have been raised with Christ, then live…
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The Trap of Strong Wills – Colossians 2:23
Colossians 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Paul now pulls the curtain back. These practices look wise. They sound disciplined. They appear humble. They even seem spiritual because they involve self denial.…
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Why Live Like You’re Still There? – Colossians 2:20–22
Colossians 2:20–22 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,(Touch not; taste not; handle not;Which all are to perish with the using;)after the commandments and doctrines of men? Paul’s argument is simple. You died. If you died with…
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Hold Fast to the Head – Colossians 2:19
Colossians 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Paul exposes the real danger. It is not merely strange visions.It is not merely impressive language. It is this. Not holding the Head. The Head is Christ.…
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Do Not Be Robbed – Colossians 2:18
Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. Paul now warns of something subtler than legalism. Mysticism. It often comes wrapped in humility. Soft voice. Lowered eyes. Stories of…
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Stop Hugging Shadows – Colossians 2:17
Colossians 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Paul continues the thought. Food laws.Festival days.Sabbaths. Shadows. A shadow is real in one sense. It proves something is there. But it has no substance of its own. You cannot embrace it. You cannot live on it. You cannot…
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Do Not Let Them Judge You – Colossians 2:16
Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days. Because Christ has forgiven you.Because He has triumphed.Because you are complete in Him. Therefore. Let no one judge you. The Colossians were being told that if…
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Triumph in the Open – Colossians 2:15
Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Paul now paints a picture his readers would instantly recognize. When a Roman general conquered an enemy, he returned to Rome in a triumphal procession. The general rode in the lead chariot. His soldiers followed…
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Nailed and Finished – Colossians 2:14
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. Picture a ledger. Not vague guilt. Not general failure. Specific charges. Every selfish act.Every cruel word.Every hidden thought.Every compromise. Written down. Handwriting of ordinances that was…
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Complete and Alive – Colossians 2:9–13
Colossians 2:9–13 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands…Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation…
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Do Not Be Carried Off – Colossians 2:8
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Paul uses a strong word. Beware. Spoil you means to carry you off as plunder. To take you captive. To strip you of what is yours. The…
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Deep Roots, Light Hearts – Colossians 2:7
Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Paul layers the imagery. Rooted.Built up.Established.Abounding. This is not fragile faith. This is something planted deep and rising strong. Rooted speaks of what is unseen. A tree survives storms not because of visible…
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Keep Walking – Colossians 2:6
Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Paul makes it beautifully simple. The way you began is the way you continue. How did you receive Christ? Not through complexity.Not through advanced insight.Not through secret knowledge. You received Him by faith. Humbly.Simply.Trustingly. Paul says, walk the same…
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Take the Son – Colossians 2:4–5
Colossians 2:4, 5 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. Paul warns them gently but firmly. Beware of enticing words. Not…
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Already in the Warehouse – Colossians 2:3
Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Paul makes a staggering claim. Not that Jesus gives wisdom.Not that He teaches wisdom.Not that He models wisdom. But that all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him. Not from Him. In Him. That means there is no hidden vault somewhere…
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Knit Together – Colossians 2:1–2
Colossians 2:1, 2 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to…
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The Indwelling Mystery – Colossians 1:25–27
Colossians 1:25–27 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:To whom God would make known what is the riches…
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Scarred Like Him – Colossians 1:23–24
Colossians 1:23 (c), 24 …whereof I Paul am made a minister;Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church. At first glance, that sounds alarming. Fill up what is behind of the afflictions…
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Grounded and Settled – Colossians 1:22–23
Colossians 1:22, 23 (a) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard… The cross was not symbolic. It was flesh.…
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Reconciled – Colossians 1:20–21
Colossians 1:20, 21 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. Reconcile.…
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All Fulness – Colossians 1:19
Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. All fulness. Not partial strength.Not borrowed wisdom.Not delegated glory. All. The Father was pleased that everything necessary for life, meaning, stability, power, grace, and joy would reside in the Son. Nothing lacking. Nothing missing. Nothing needing supplement. Which means this is…
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Preeminent – Colossians 1:18
Colossians 1:18 (a) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead… There were others who came back from death. Lazarus walked out of a tomb. The widow’s son sat up. A child stirred again under prophetic prayer. But every one of them returned to…
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Held Together – Colossians 1:17
Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Before all things. Before matter.Before motion.Before magnets push away from each other. And by Him all things consist. Coulomb’s Law tells us that like charges repel. Take two magnets and press their positive ends together. You will feel resistance immediately. They…
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Made By Him, Made For Him – Colossians 1:16
Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. This is the secret of life. Jesus is not part of creation. He is the…
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The Face of the Invisible – Colossians 1:14–15
Colossians 1:14, 15 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:Who is the image of the invisible God… Humanity has always tried to sketch God. Every culture has looked at something magnificent and said, “That must be what He is like.” Some saw gentleness in a creature and said, God…
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Prayers That Reach Eternity – Colossians 1:9–13
Colossians 1:9–13 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good…
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Behind Their Back – Colossians 1:7–8
Colossians 1:7, 8 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. Paul introduces us to a man named Epaphras. We know very little about him. No miracles recorded. No sermons preserved. No dramatic scenes. But we…
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Laid Up and Growing – Colossians 1:5–6
Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel. Paul now names the third mark of a solid fellowship. Hope. Not wishful thinking.Not vague optimism.Hope laid up in heaven. Laid up means reserved. Secured. Stored where moth and…
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Faith and Love – Colossians 1:4
Colossians 1:4 (a) Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus… Paul identifies the first mark of a mature church: faith. Not activity.Not reputation.Faith. Faith in Christ Jesus. Hebrews tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. A church can gather faithfully, organize efficiently, and speak eloquently, but if it does…
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Substance, Not Sawdust – Colossians 1:1–3
C. H. Spurgeon once told of an event from the glory days of Rome. A severe famine struck the North African colonies, and the people were starving. One day ships appeared on the horizon. The sight sent waves of hope through the city. “Caesar has sent help!” they cried. “There is hope for us!” But…