Week 49c--Colossians

Here we read another letter from Paul, “to the saints at Colossae,” written from prison in Rome.

Colossians 1:3 reads that “we” give thanks when the authors remember the Colossians. We know this refers to Timothy; we guess it means Luke as well.

Paul talks about Jesus a great deal in this letter--how important He is, how He is God Incarnate, creator of all things, from the beginning, firstborn of the dead (and many other descriptions, 1:15-20). 

Now that Paul has established the supremacy of Christ, he warns the Colossians of false prophets (another recurring theme in Paul’s letters). Paul tells the Colossians that they are dead to sin, having received the circumcision of the heart, and are now alive in Christ. Unfortunately, the false teachers have often come to scold the Colossians for their eating drinking habits (as if that matters!).

Paul tells them to simply “set your mind on the things above” (3:2). Okay, maybe it’s not exactly simple. As to their actions, they are to set aside worldly sinful behaviors and walk in obedience to Christ. Hmm, I think we’ve heard this one before. How do we do this? With “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,” acceptance, forgiveness, and “beyond all these things put on love” (3:12, 14). All this is to be done in the name of Jesus.

Paul repeats what he told the Ephesians, about wives submitting, husbands loving, and children obeying, all for the sake of unity in the home. Finally, they are to devote themselves to prayer for Paul and each other. Paul sends personal messages to specific friends--these books of the Bible are letters, remember. Paul then confirms that Luke is with him.

He ends, as always, with a blessing: Grace be with you.