Colossians 1
Colossians 1 introduces Paul's letter to the believers in Colossae. In this chapter, Paul emphasizes the preeminence of Christ, the hope found in the gospel, and his own ministry for the church. He begins with thanksgiving and prayer for the Colossians, then moves into deep theological reflection on the supremacy and reconciling work of Christ. This chapter serves as a foundation for Paul's teachings on Christian living and spiritual growth.
Colossians 1:1-2 (NKJV):
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
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.
Paul starts his letter by introducing himself as an apostle of Jesus, emphasizing that his calling is by God's will. He includes Timothy, his close companion, in his greeting. Addressing the believers in Colossae as saints and faithful brethren, Paul wishes them grace and peace from God, which reflects the spiritual blessings that are foundational for their Christian life.
Colossians 1:3 (NKJV):
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Paul expresses his continual gratitude to God for the Colossians. His prayers are a reflection of his deep care and concern for them, showing that he not only taught them but also supported them spiritually. Paul’s thanksgiving sets a tone of encouragement and connection, reminding the Colossians of their shared faith in Christ.
Colossians 1:4-5 (NKJV):
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 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,
Paul acknowledges their faith in Christ and their love for fellow believers. He links their faith and love to the hope they have in heaven, showing that the gospel has produced real spiritual fruit in their lives. This hope is secured and eternal, a key motivator for their faithfulness.
Colossians 1:6 (NKJV):
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;
Paul highlights that the gospel is not only transforming their lives but also the lives of people throughout the world. The message of God's grace is bearing fruit globally, and the Colossians are part of this larger work. This transformation began the moment they understood the grace of God in its truth.
Colossians 1:7-8 (NKJV):
as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
Paul introduces Epaphras, a key figure in the spiritual growth of the Colossians, as their faithful teacher and minister. He is commended for his service and for reporting to Paul about their love, which is rooted in the Spirit. This emphasizes the relational and spiritual bond within the church.
Colossians 1:9 (NKJV):
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;
Paul's prayer for the Colossians is persistent, asking God to fill them with knowledge of His will, accompanied by wisdom and spiritual understanding. This prayer points to the importance of spiritual growth and discernment in the life of a believer, enabling them to live in accordance with God's purpose.
Colossians 1:10 (NKJV):
that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Paul desires that their lives reflect their calling, urging them to live in a way that honors the Lord and pleases Him. He emphasizes being productive in good works and continually growing in their understanding of God. This reveals the dynamic nature of Christian living—bearing fruit and deepening one’s relationship with God.
Colossians 1:11 (NKJV):
strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
Paul prays that they would be empowered by God's strength, which enables them to endure trials with patience and joy. This strength is not just for endurance but also for maintaining a joyful spirit amid suffering, showing that God's power sustains believers in all circumstances.
Colossians 1:12 (NKJV):
giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Paul shifts to thanksgiving, acknowledging that it is God who qualifies believers to share in the inheritance of the saints. This inheritance is characterized by light, symbolizing purity, truth, and the eternal blessings of God’s kingdom. It is God’s grace that allows them to partake in these spiritual blessings.
Colossians 1:13-14 (NKJV):
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Paul reflects on the transformation that takes place through Christ. God has rescued believers from darkness and brought them into the kingdom of Jesus. Through Christ's sacrifice, believers experience redemption and the forgiveness of sins. This is a profound reminder of the central work of Christ in salvation.
Colossians 1:15 (NKJV):
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Paul describes Christ as the visible representation of the invisible God. Jesus perfectly reveals the nature of God. By calling Him the "firstborn," Paul emphasizes Christ’s supremacy and authority over all creation, not in the sense of being created, but as the preeminent one in rank.
Colossians 1:16-17 (NKJV):
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. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Paul elaborates on Christ’s role in creation. Everything, seen and unseen, was created by and for Him. Christ’s preeminence is affirmed as He existed before all things and holds all creation together. This underscores His divine nature and sovereign authority over the universe.
Colossians 1:18 (NKJV):
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.
Paul emphasizes that Christ is not only supreme over creation but also over the church. As the "firstborn from the dead," Christ’s resurrection gives Him preeminence over death and guarantees the future resurrection of believers. He reigns over all aspects of creation and redemption.
Colossians 1:19-20 (NKJV):
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 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.
All the fullness of God dwells in Christ, signifying His complete divinity. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, God has reconciled all things to Himself, bringing peace to the world. This reconciliation restores harmony between God and creation, highlighting the significance of Christ’s redemptive work.
Colossians 1:21-22 (NKJV):
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—
Paul reminds the Colossians of their past alienation from God due to sin. However, through Christ’s death, they have been reconciled to God, and now stand holy and blameless before Him. This transformation is the result of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, which removes the guilt and barrier of sin.
Colossians 1:23 (NKJV):
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.
Paul exhorts them to remain steadfast in their faith, not abandoning the hope of the gospel. He stresses the importance of perseverance, reminding them of the universal proclamation of the gospel and his role as a minister of this message. Faithfulness is crucial in their continued relationship with God.
Colossians 1:24 (NKJV):
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,
Paul expresses joy in his suffering for the sake of the church. His suffering is not to complete Christ’s afflictions for salvation but refers to the ongoing hardships faced by Christ's followers. Paul views his trials as part of his service to the church, showing his dedication to their spiritual well-being.
Colossians 1:25-26 (NKJV):
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, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
Paul speaks of his God-given role as a minister to make known the Word of God. He refers to the "mystery," a divine truth that was hidden for ages but is now revealed to believers. This mystery involves the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's plan of salvation, bringing clarity to God's redemptive work.
Colossians 1:27 (NKJV):
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.
The mystery revealed to the Gentiles is the glorious truth of "Christ in you," the hope of eternal glory. This emphasizes the indwelling presence of Christ within believers, both Jews and Gentiles, providing the assurance of their future inheritance with God.
Colossians 1:28 (NKJV):
Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s mission is to proclaim Christ, instructing everyone with wisdom so that they may grow spiritually and be presented perfect in Christ. His goal is the spiritual maturity of all believers, which comes through sound teaching and the transformative power of Christ.
Colossians 1:29 (NKJV):
To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Paul concludes by stating that he works hard for the spiritual growth of others, relying on God’s power that works through him. His efforts are not in his own strength, but by the divine energy of God, which enables him to accomplish his ministry.