The Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Colossians

December

Chapter 4, Verse 11, “and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.”

Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous, Jesus, is definitely a beautiful name as we understand it to be the name of the Savior. But is was also a common name in first century Greek culture. It is derived from the Hebrew name, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, Yehoshua, Joshua, which is a combination of יְהוָה, YHWH (the name of God [known as the tetragrammaton]), and יָשַׁע , yasha = “to save” or “to deliver.” Concordantly, the Hebrew name Jesus means “Yahweh is salvation.” Among members of the first century church, being named Jesus would have been special and likely came with inferred expectations. The surname Justus, only mentioned here and in Acts 1:23, 18:7, means “the just one.” It seems a bit odd that one would be named “Yahweh who is salvation, the just one.” What a burden to carry. While he is only mentioned here (not even in Philemon as the others are), he was certainly special to Paul who wanted the Colossians to be aware of and to welcome as well, should he visit with them. The great apostle wanted everyone to know those who had invested their lives in his work of sharing the gospel and growing the kingdom of God. As believers in Christ, we have a great responsibility and privilege to make Jesus known to everyone around us. And what do we want them to know? As Jesus said to Thomas about himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

December 2

Chapter 4, Verse 11, con’t, “and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.”

ὄντες ἐκ περιτομῆς οὗτοι μόνοι, ek peritomēs houtoi monoi, “being among [the] circumcsion these only.” Peritomé, translated here as circumcision, is derived from a similar word that means “to cut around.” It does refer to the physical act of removing the foreskin from a male as commanded by God to Abraham as the sign of the covenant. Genesis 17:10-14 gives the account, “This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” But it also has a clear metaphorical meaning that refers to Jewish ethnic identity and the adherence to Mosaic law. Among first century believers in Christ, it was a point of theological debate concerning whether or not it was a requirement for salvation, especially among the Gentiles to whom the practice was largely unknown. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council determined that circumcision was an unnecessary act for salvation. It is really no different than requiring baptism or any other “work.” Jesus provided all the work at Calvary where he shed his blood and gave his life to pay for redemption of the soul. We only need to repent and believe.

December 3

EXCURSUS

The New Testament Doctrine of Salvation – Part One

Throughout this commentary, I have used the term in Christ many times. Knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is a simple matter of recognizing your need (Romans 3:10-12, “as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one,” Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”), turning away from sin (Luke 5:31-32, “And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance,” 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”), and accepting Jesus into your life (John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” Romans 10:9-10, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”).

As a minister who follows the Reformed system of theology, I understand the doctrine of salvation in light of the Five Solas. (Sola is Latin for “only”) The 5 key teachings lead us to a clear understanding of how redemption comes to our lives.

(1) Sola Scriptura: “Scripture Alone” This emphasizes the Bible alone as the source of authority for believers apart from any tradition of man. We must understand that the Bible is inspired (2 Peter 1:20-21, “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit,”) and it’s words came directly from God to men whom God called (2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”)

(2) Sola Fide: “Faith Alone” Salvation is a free gift to all who believe that cannot be earned by good works, church membership, baptism, or any other means. It is only by faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved (John 3:16, ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”) completely apart from any human effort (Ephesians 2:8-9, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

NOTE: Tomorrow, I will cover the other 3 solas.

December 4

EXCURSUS

The New Testament Doctrine of Salvation – Part Two

(3) Sola Gratia: “Grace Alone” This declaration emphasizes that if we are saved by exercising faith in Jesus, then we are saved by grace, apart for works (Romans 11:6, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace”). Grace is not a conjuring of our mind leading us to ignore sin. It is the power of God that changes our heart (Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works”).

(4) Solus Christus: “Christ Alone” It is in the finished work of Jesus alone at Calvary that we find salvation. His sinless life, vicarious death, and victorious resurrection paid for sin and provides God’s grace to us. True theology is Christ-focused because no one comes to the Father apart from him (John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”). There is no fellowship with God except in Jesus, and that fellowship draws us to righteous living (Philippians 3:8-11, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead”).

(5) Soli Deo Gloria: “To The Glory Of God Alone” Theology must be God-focused. We have fellowship with the Son in grace, with the Father in love, and with the Holy Spirit in strength and comfort (2 Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all,” Acts 9:31, “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied”).

The Five Solas are not just an abstract of Reformation theology. They guard and give clarity to the gospel (Romans 3:21-24, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” John 1:12, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”). It is only the power of God that can change the heart of man from being an enemy of God into a friend of God.

JESUS SAVES.

December 5

Chapter 4, Verse 11, con’t, “and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.”

συνεργοὶ, synergoi, “fellow workers.” Among the many believers who assisted Paul with his missionary gospel work, only a handful were from the “circumcision,” or Jews. For the most part, the early church, from Jerusalem at Pentecost forward, were converted Jews. But when God called Paul, he sent him to Gentiles and many Jewish believers either did not like it outright, or they wanted to apply Jewish tradition to the lives of these new non-Jewish believers. So it is no wonder not many wanted to work with Paul, who himself was a Jew. Sunergos, an adjectival form, combines sun = “with” and ergon = “work.” Working alongside others has always been an integral component of accomplishing a task. In the work of sharing the gospel, it is imperative that we lock arms, be persistent, labor with joy, and observe how God uses our Christian community to reach the lost for his glory.

Chapter 4, Verse 11, con’t, “and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.”

εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, eis tēn besileian tou Theou, “for the kingdom of God.” Two basic questions come to mind. What is the kingdom of God and what does it mean to be for the kingdom of God? The word βασιλεία, basileia, alludes to a physical kingdom, territory, realm, or dominion. It is derived from βασιλεύς, basileus = “king.” In the New Testament, it is used to depict either the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven, both of which refer to God’s present spiritual reign over all things and especially in the hearts of believers, and also to God’s future actual personal rule on earth and in eternity. To be “for” the kingdom of God is a continual mindset that guides believers to constantly live in the present world as kingdom members and to be kingdom bringers to those who do not personally know God in the eternal relationship of salvation. To be this sort of believer, we must always be on guard. Jude 1:3, “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”

December 7

Chapter 4, Verse 11, con’t, “and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.”

οἵτινες ἐγενήθησάν μοι παρηγορία, hoitines egenēthēsan moi parēgoria, “who have been to me a comfort.” While this phrase is directly connected to verses 10 and 11, it can easily be assumed Paul included Tychicus and Onesimus in this sentiment and even others not mentioned here such as Philemon. Clearly, the members of his troupe assisted him in the work, but more than that they were comforters to him. Parégoria is derived form παραγορεύω, paragoreuō, which means “to speak soothingly to.” It almost goes without saying that Paul was continually under pressure. Hated and hunted by Jews and Romans, sometimes feared and unaccepted by Gentiles because of his past, the apostle faced challenges at every hand. Thankfully, these mean and others offered consolation with their words and actions so that Paul knew he had caring friends. Jesus has given such a helper and comforter to every believer. He said in John 14:15-17, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” The Holy Spirit is always with us; he never leaves, he reveals God’s word and his will, and one day he will ushers us into the presence of God (2 Corinthians 5:8).

December 8

Chapter 4, Verse 12, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”

Epaphras is mentioned three times in the New Testament, here, back in 1:7, and in Philemon 1:23 where he is called a “fellow prisoner in Christ.” In 1:7, we discovered that he was called “fellow servant” and “faithful minister” by Paul and was instrumental in leading many to faith in Christ. Now, Paul reminds the church that he is one from among their ranks and is apparently either incarcerated with Paul in Rome, as would seem the case from Philemon, or is there ministering to Paul’s needs. Either way, he is struggling, ἀγωνιζόμενος, agōnizomenos, from ἀγών, agón = “a contest” or “a struggle.” It is apparent this is the root of the English word agonize. In the Greek culture, it was often used to describe the exertion of Olympians and in the Christian life it is used to describe spiritual effort put forth with a sense of dedication and perseverance in the face of life’s challenges. Jesus was no stranger to agony as a man. As he prayed before his arrest on the Mount of Olives, Luke wrote, “And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44). And so should our heart beat when we think of everyone around us without Christ in their lives.

December 9

Chapter 4, Verse 12, con’t, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”

In his letters to churches and individuals, Paul referred to those who worked with him a number of ways. The favorite epithets he used were “co-worker” sunergos, “brother” adelphos, “minister” diakonos, “fellow servant” sundoulos, “fellow soldier” sustratiotes, and “fellow prisoner” sunaichmalotos. In verse 12, he simply referred to Epaphras as “servant” doulos. As self serving as people can be, we all serve someone–in our families, at work, in general activities. Epaphras being referred to simply as a servant was no slight to him because of his attachment, δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, doulos Christou, Iēsou, “a servant of Christ Jesus.” To be recognized as a person who puts Jesus first in their life is the highest compliment you could ever hope to get, especially from someone who clearly was of the same stripe. Of course, doulos is also translated “slave” and “bond servant. sometimes. The intent is the same. It was obvious to Paul that Epaphras was devoted to the Lord to the disregard of his own interests–a voluntary servitude and not one of compulsion. In Deuteronomy 6:5, as quoted by Jesus himself in Mark 12:30, the Scripture is plain when it says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” These are the words every believer should live by daily.

December 10

Chapter 4, Verse 12, con’t, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”

ἵνα σταθῆτε τέλειοι, hina stathēte teleioi, “so that you may stand mature.” Here is another hina clause telling us Epaphras was striving, struggling, agonizing in prayer for the church “so that” they could become and remain completely mature in their walk with Christ. τέλειος, teleios, “mature,” is also translated “perfect,” and while it does not mean without fault, it does mean having the mind of a “grown-up” who is fully prepared to face the issues of life because they have a thoroughly developed Christian character. Paul addressed this idea of getting prepared and being prepared in Philippians 2:12-16, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone, but it is up to us individually to develop (work out) our faith to show the world the ight of Jesus shining from our hearts. This is how we stand for God, defending the faith (Jude 1:3) as we tell the world about the saving grace of God in Christ.

December 11

Chapter 4, Verse 12, con’t, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”

ἵστημι, histémi, “stand” generally just means “to stand” or “to cause to stand.” Context brings clarity to the deeper meaning. The Hebrew equivalent is עָמַד, `amad, usually meaning to endure or to take a stand as in battling against an enemy–not retreating in the face of an advancing foe. Some people stand because they are looking for a fight, others do so because they do not know any better. But some stand up to their enemies and will not be moved because they are mature–they know better than to give in. No matter how convincing, no matter how loud the enemy is, when you know the truth, you are able to stand against the onslaught. In our quest to walk with God, we must never stand selfishly–to be seen, heard, or for personal gain. We stand for the truth, we trumpet the word of God against all foes, and whether we live or die in our maturity, we stand courageous with God as our Great Defender. As God said to Joshua, “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”καὶ

December 12

Chapter 4, Verse 12, con’t, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”

καὶ πεπληροφορημένοι ἐν παντὶ θελήματι τοῦ Θεοῦ, kai peplērophorēmenoi en panti thelēmati tou Theou, “and fully assured in all [the] will of God.” Being mature in Christ is captivating. The more mature you become, the deeper you are drawn into the word of God. The natural (and some would say supernatural) collateral to that is discovering the will of God–the crystal clear will of God for your life. The verb root πληροφορέω, plérophoreó, “to fully carry out,” combines plérēs = “full,” and pherō = “to bring.” The idea is to bring something, a thought or a task, to completion. It is used in the New Testament to point to certainty in the context of faith in God’s promises. Paul made this plain to the Roman believers, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2). Our maturity in Christ moves us away from conformity to the evils of the world and toward the holiness of God. As we are propelled in that direction by the Holy Spirit, our minds become clearer so that we are able to discover and do God’s will, full assured that we are doing what is right–for the glory of God.

December 13

EXCURSUS: What is the Will of God? Part 1

As a precursor to that question–the will of God is vastly different than the will of man. It can be said that a person’s will is based on their desire and/or determination to do something or to see that something gets done. It is also true that people desire (will) to have the power to decide or to control emotions and actions. The will of man (a man or a woman) is based on their limited knowledge concerning a situation. For example, in my life, I have had cancer three times. I had good doctors, a loving family, and a strong will to live. My focus was survival. Generally, then, it seems that a person’s will is usually based on seeking an outcome in return for some sort of investment. [In the business world that is called ROI, Return On Investment]. In other words, what do I get in return for what I have done? Another part of this that makes us very different from God is that our will changes like the seasons. We move from one strong desire to another, sometimes trampling underfoot the previous “will.” Thankfully, God is not like that.

December 14

EXCURSUS: What is the Will of God? Part 2

God is not just substantially different from humanity (and all his creation), he is essentially different; i.e., in is essence, that which makes him God. It cannot be described because we do not know what it is. But we do know that when considering the will of God, three important aspects emerge. First, God has absolute dominion over all his creation. And, interestingly, he passed that dominion to man, at least the part that puts man above all other living creatures on the earth. Genesis 1:26-28, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Another way to think about God’s dominion is his sovereignty. God knows everything inside and outside of time, all things possible and actual. That is why he is called Alpha and Omega.

Second, God has complete authority to do as he wishes, when he wishes. And that authority is vested in the person of Jesus, the Christ. Matthew 28:16-20, “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” We first see this exhibited when Jesus attended the wedding at Cana in Galilee where he changed ordinary water in exquisite wine (John 2:1-11). His authority was witnessed over and over as he healed the blind, raised the dead, and fed thousands with little. His authority has no limits and knows no bounds. He commands heaven and earth from his throne in glory.

December 15

EXCURSUS: What is the Will of God? Part 3

As we think about the will of God, we begin with him observing his universe (dominion) and managing its affairs (authority). This brings us to the consideration that he has perfect control over all its parts. John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” It was from the mind of God that which is came to be. From the smallest observable piece of the intricate universe (think DNA that connects us all back to Adam) to the sheer expanse of the universe itself (our galaxy is a speck in the cosmos), God binds everything together by the power of his Spirit. Whether we are able to see it or not, whether we comprehend it or not, and whether we believe it or not, God is intimately involved in all that happens–our lives included. God’s will is his purpose for his creation. He has a single, unchangeable plan. Malachi speaks to this, especially verse 6, “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” The term is immutable, meaning something cannot change, in this case because God does not change. How, then, does this unalterable, holy God interact with mankind to teach us about his will and his way as we muddle through life?

December 16

EXCURSUS: What is the Will of God? Part 4

Trying to understand God is next to impossible, but knowing him is not. That is why Jesus came into the world, born of a virgin, wholly God, and wholly human. He alone is our connecting link to discovering the will of God for our lives. 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” John 1:11-12, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” So, the beginning wisdom, the fear of God (Proverbs 9:10) is actually found in a personal relationship with Jesus. 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” This is where human responsibility enters the discussion. God is sovereign, period. But we are still held accountable for what we believe about Jesus and what we decide to do about it. Only after we approach God with a repentant heart (sorrowful for being and admitting we are sinners) and receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord can we begin to understand God’s perfect plan for our lives. This takes us back to the end of verse 12 and the link to Romans 12:1-2, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” When God saves our soul and we allow him to “invade our space,” life gets really interesting. The fog lifts from our minds, uncertainty becomes assurance, and we begin to be able to perceive what it is God wants us to be and do, all for his glory.

December 17

Chapter 4, Verse 13, “For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.”

μαρτυρῶ γὰρ αὐτῷ, martyrō gar autō, “I bear witness for to him.” μαρτυρέω, martureó, from μάρτυς, martus = “witness;” it means “I witness,” “I bear witness,” “I give evidence,” “I testify,” or “I give a good report.” So, in application, it could be “I have seen with my own eyes, “I heard” (from a credible source), or “I support” (with my own testimony). Generally, the idea is giving support to someone and their actions because of personal knowledge and/or experience. Often used in Greek legal settings (not unlike present-day courts), a witnesses testimony could determine outcome at trial. For Jews, two or three witnesses were required to settle a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15). In Paul’s time, bearing witness of the reality of Jesus could cost your life. It is that idea from which marturo became “martyr,” a person who stood for what they believed and died for it. There are still many places in the world where believers are ostracized for their faith and sometimes killed for stand firm in Christ.

December 18

Chapter 4, Verse 13, con’t, “For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.”

ἔχει πολὺν πόνον ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, echei polyn ponon hyper hymōn, “he has great concern for you.” It is quite natural that Epaphras, being one among the Colossian church family, would have “great concern” (work hard) for them. Polus, an adjective, was generally used to portray a very large number of something, like a cart full of vegetables. In the New Testament, it frequently represents an abundance of things or metaphorically the idea of much time spent or effort exerted toward accomplishing a task. Ponus, like the Hebrew מַכְאוֹב, makob, describes physical or emotional pain, the sort suffered when facing hardship or mental anguish. Paul was simply pointing out that Epaphras, like the other fellow servants with him, deeply cared about all aspects of the church members welfare. Paul addressed this concept in Galatians 6:6-10, “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” When we, as believers, invest or lives in the local church, we can expect God to reap the harvest–souls saved, the church growing, and the world seeing us make a difference for the glory of God.

December 19

Chapter 4, Verse 13, con’t, “For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.”

In the western part of what is modern-day Turkey (east of Greece and the Aegean Sea) was the Roman province called Asia Minor. Situated just a few miles apart from each other with Laodicea in the middle, were the cities of Hierapolis and Colossae. This is the area where the seven churches of Revelation are located. Apparently, Epaphras was on of Paul’s cohorts who ministered in this area regularly. He has invested his time, “worked hard,” for all these churches, teaching them what he had learned from his mentor, Paul. This the work of a missionary for Christ. In the New Testament context, a missionary is a person sent to share the gospel with people groups unfamiliar with the truth about Christ in an effort to win them to faith in him. As believers in Christ, we must understand we are all called to share Jesus with those close by, and by extension with those all over the world. In Matthew 28:16-20, just before he ascended back to heaven, Jesus gave specific instructions to his trust disciples, “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Our responsibility is great, our opportunity is only hindered by our own limitations, and the need is vast.

December 20

Chapter 4, Verse 14, “Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.”

In the Greek word order of this verse, Ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς, Aspazetai hymas, “Greets you” is first. It is the same in verse 12 and slightly different in verse 15. The original verb, ἀσπάζομαι, aspazomai, is used in some form 60 times in the New Testament, mostly by Paul. The word can mean greet, salute (the other common useage), pay respects, and even embrace. It is similar to the familiar Hebrew expression, shalom. When used by Paul and Luke, it communicates the idea of warmth, respect, and affection. It conveys a sense of deep appreciation for someone who is considered a very close friend. Its use here is not surprise because, in the Greek world, greetings were considered highly important socially. It can be compared to someone being announced at a state dinner. In Christian circles, greetings are still important, especially at church. A firm handshake, a warm hug, or a wide smile indicates “you are welcome here.” Genuine greetings should never be overlooked as we do our best to honor God with our lives.

December 21

Chapter 4, Verse 14, con’t, “Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.”

Thirteen of the fourteen books of the New Testament written by Paul (assuming Hebrews is included) begin with his self-introduction. Neither of the books attributed to Luke bear his name, The Gospel According to Luke and The Acts of the Apostles. However, at least four important and highly recognized, authoritative writers of the second century attest Luke as the author of the third gospel, including Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and Origen. As for the connection between the two books, both are written to a person named Theophilus, about whom we know little, except that his name means “friend of God.” Luke was clearly a companion of Paul, likely a Gentile since along with the others here in Colossians 4, he is named separately from the Jews who assisted Paul and he is mentioned with this same group in Philemon 1:24. We get our best glimpse of what Paul thought about Luke here, where he calls him, “the beloved physician.” He probably attended to Paul’s physical needs in prison and become an “insider” of Paul’s greater circle of influence. Since more than a quarter of the New Testament is attributed to Luke, it is good to know he was a close companion of the great apostle.

December 22

Chapter 4, Verse 14, con’t, “Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.”

We know little about Demas as he is only mentioned here and in Philemon 1:24 as one of the many helpers of Paul. Sadly, the other reference to him is in 2 Timothy 4 where Paul asked Timothy to visit him soon and listed some who continued in service with him and others who left his company. 2 Timothy 4:9-15, “Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.” Here is the quandary all we who are dedicated to the Lord’s service face. After years of service together, some who have been very close friends and confidants will leave. Some leave disillusioned, some over disagreements, and others are just tired and give up. When someone leaves our side and our confidence, it is easy to become bitter and unforgiving toward them. But be cautioned, when this happens you only hurt your own spiritual life. And you must remember that you do not know all they are facing in their own life no matter how close you have been. Rather than having ill feelings toward them, pray for them, seek them out with kindness if possible, and never, ever give up on the hope that you will be restored to the fellowship you once had. For your own sake, remember Paul’s words to the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” And verses 16-18 of that same chapter, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

December 23

Chapter 4, Verse 15, “Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

As Paul wound down his letter to the Colossian church, he made sure to send greetings to those he cared for, even is he had never met them. Such is the case for the church at Laodicea. Colossians 2:1, “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face.” There is no indication as to why he found it important to mention them. In the New Testament, Laodicea is only mentioned in Colossians and Revelation. The city name combines λαός, laos = people or nation, and δίκη, diké = justice or vengeance; thus, “justice of the people.” This could indicate that they were self absorbed and depended only on what they decided without regard to outside authority. The small city halfway between Colossae and Hierapolis had no water supply, os it was brought in from Hierapolis. When the water came out of the ground there, it was hot and after the six mile trip–it was lukewarm. Lukewarm water, good for neither drinking or cooking, had to be “processed” to be useful. The idea of Laodicea being lukewarm is reflected in Revelation 3:14-17, “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Paul likely knew that the church there was not being effective for the kingdom and in greeting them he was trying to encourage them to be attentive to the gospel and good works that come from a church that is “hot” for God and his kingdom.

December 24

Chapter 4, Verse 15, con’t, “Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

καὶ Νύμφαν, καὶ τὴν κατ’ οἶκον αὐτῆς ἐκκλησίαν, kai Nymphan, kai tēn kat’ oikon autēs ἐκκλησίαν, “and also Nympha and the in house of her church.” Nymphan, a personal name mentioned only here in the New Testament, comes from νύμφη, numphé, meaning “a bride,” “young wife,” “young woman,” or “daughter-in-law.” The context makes young woman the most likely understanding here. Metaphorically, numphé is used to describe the church at large as the bride of Christ. But Paul was addressing an actual “house church.” There is ample evidence in the New Testament to understand that the foundation of the early church was built upon the idea and reality of the local church meeting in the homes of believers who gathered to worship. Acts 2:46-47, “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 12:12, “When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.” Romans 16:3-5, “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.” Philemon 1:1-3, “Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” In the United States and around the world, the house church is still the basis for many church starts, bible-study groups, and outreach meetings where people of all backgrounds come together and many are saved by God’s grace as it is taught up close and in a personal way. No matter the size, Jesus has always intended for his church(es) to be a place of intimate interaction in the power of His Spirit.

December 25

EXCURSUS: What is the Church? – Part 1

ἐκκλησία, ekklésia, is derived from the preposition ek = “out of” and kaleō = “called out.” The term New Testament Church refers to the community of believers in Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament of the bible. It is often understood as the “body of Christ” or “bride of Christ,” comprised of individuals who have placed their personal faith in him for salvation, gather together for worship, and live out his teachings. The New Testament Church is both a spiritual reality and a visible community. The are six key aspects of the church.

(1) Foundation – The New Testament Church is founded on the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is described as the cornerstone, Ephesians 2:19-22, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit,” and the head of the Church, Colossians 1:15-18, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” The church was established after Christ’s death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2).

(2) Membership – Membership in the New Testament Church is based on faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, Romans 10:9-10, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Baptism is seen as an outward sign of entry into this community, Colossians 2:6-12, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”

December 26

EXCURSUS: What is the Church? – Part 2

(3) Purpose – The four-fold purpose of the New Testament Church is to worship God, John 4:23-24, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth,” to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age,” to build up believers through teaching, fellowship, and prayer, Acts 2:42-44, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common,” and to serve others in love, Galatians 5:13-14, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

(4) Structure and Leadership – The New Testament Church is described as a living body with Christ as its head, Colossians 1:15-18, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” Leaders such as apostles, elders (overseers) and deacons were appointed to guide and serve the communities of faith (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1).

(5) Unity and Diversity – The Church is united in faith in Christ, but includes people form all nations and backgrounds, Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Spiritual gifts are given to members for the edification of the church, Ephesians 4:11-13, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

(6) Practices – In the New Testament Church, three practices are regularly observed: worship – singing, prayer, scripture reading, and teaching, Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God;” ordinances (sometimes referred to as sacraments) – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, Acts 2:41-42, “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers;” and fellowship, sharing life together as a community, Acts 4:32-35, “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”

In the local church, and as part of the church universal, we should be winning the lost, teaching the redeemed, and living our lives together as a household of faith intent on showing the world the way of Christ.

December 27

Chapter 4, Verse 16, “And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.”

Καὶ ὅταν ἀναγνωσθῇ παρ’ ὑμῖν ἡ ἐπιστολή, Kai hotan anagnōsthē par’ hymin hē epistolē, “And when shall be read among you the letter.” Notice, first of all, the verb used twice in this verse, anagnosthe. A form of ἀναγινώσκω, anaginóskó, which combines ana = emphatic, again, and ginosko = know or know again, it means to read, reread (know again), know as a certainty, and sometimes recognize or discern. In every New Testament context, save one, this verb means to read aloud in the presence of others. And since literacy was not ubiquitous in that time, reading a story of a letter was usually a communal activity. For early Christians, especially, this meant coming together for instruction and worship (doing church) with the desired result of being strengthened in faith and in preparation for personal ministry. James addressed this important issue in his letter to the Jews scattered around the world. James 1:22-25, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” Every believer should know how important it is to share what they know about Jesus and his word.

December 28

Chapter 4, Verse 16, con’t, “And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.”

This is the phrase in this verse were aganosthe is employed again, urging the Colossians to make sure his letter was read in Laodicea. The is how the early churches received the books of the bible before there was any way to “mass produce” portions or the whole. What we learn from this is that the epistles became what is referred to as “circular” letter. In other words, they were circulated among the churches, first to ones close by, and then across the entire region and beyond, and not always to established churches. The means employed to share the letters was copying the text by hand. This is how slight mistakes would have occurred from copy to copy. But we can be sure that the Holy Spirit maintained all that was necessary for the manuscripts that ended up in the hands of those who assembled the bible to have complete integrity. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he wrote, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 2:14-16). We have the bible to be mature in Christ and ready to go for God.

December 29

Chapter 4, Verse 16, con’t, “And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.”

There is no direct evidence of a Pauline epistle to the Laodiceans unless a short letter contained in the Apocrypha is considered. That twenty-verse “epistle” is not at all likely from Paul, but is rather a pieced together document from someone using various unrelated and disconnected phrases from various actual letters from Paul’s hand. Another possibility is there was a letter from Paul to that church that was lost and never recovered. And a third possibility, one that seems very rational, is that Paul was speaking about his letter the the Ephesian church that was already circulating among the churches in that area. This theory makes the most sense since Colossians and Ephesians are similar in style and message–and both are clearly Paul’s work. It would have been Tychicus (4:7) who carried the letters back and forth in his effort to build up both churches, among others, in their faith and confidence in Christ as they read Paul’s letters and lived out the principles he was teaching.

December 30

Chapter 4, Verse 17, “And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

Archippus, mentioned here and in Philemon 1:2, where he is called “our fellow soldier,” was a leader in the Colossian church. He name, from archos = chief or ruler, and hippos = horse, likely meant “master of the horse,” possible making him an equestrian of some sort. Paul wrote, Βλέπε τὴν διακονίαν ἣν παρέλαβες ἐν Κυρίῳ, Blepe, tēn diakonian hēn parelabes en Kyriō, “Take heed to (see that you) the ministry that you have received in [the] Lord.” Blepo is a present imperative calling for habitual practice. diakonian, derived from diakonos = servant or minister, is the action of serving. Here, Paul tells Archippus to serve in the church as a holy habit because his ministry is a gift/calling from God. It is likely that this man was an elder or deacon and Paul was calling upon him to do his best for the good of the people and for the glory of God. Paul directly addressed this subject in 2 Timothy 4:1-5, “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” Each of who are believers has the blessed privilege and responsibility to serve among our brother and sisters in the local church.

December 31

Chapter 4, Verse 18, “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”

Paul normally used an amanuensis (a person who wrote down what he spoke) when he “wrote” his letters, and at the end he “signed” the missives with a closing greeting. Why was this necessary? When the apostle was incarcerated, he was chained at the wrist to a guard making it difficult to write. And yet, he wrote, Μνημονεύετέ μου τῶν δεσμῶν, Mnēmoneuete mou tōn desmōn, “Remember my chains.” The verb μνημονεύω, mnémoneuó, means “recall to one’s mind.” In this, Paul was urging his readers, when he came to mind, to pray for him while he was under house arrest (in prison) and could not visit with them. What better way can we support anyone who is struggling than to pray for them–especially when that is their request? Finally, in Pauline style, the great apostle supplicated grace on behalf of those he loved. It was his way of reminding them that it is only God’s grace, freely given through the Lord Jesus Christ, that transforms live and makes it possible to endure even in the harshest of conditions. May God’s grace keep you and guide you as you walk in Christ.