This is week 1 of our study of Colossians “Look Up! Living Below For Who Is Above!”
Introduction
The Epistle to the Colossians declares Christ’s supremacy over the entire created universe and exhorts Christians to lead godly lives. The letter consists of two parts: first, a doctrinal section, and then a second regarding conduct. Reflection of Jesus! Refocus! Seek what is above. It’s all about Jesus, knowing Him, living for Him!
1 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To God’s holy people (saints) in Colossae, the faithful brothers, and sisters in Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people (saints)— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.”
Background: Although Paul never visited Colosse, a town about 100 miles east of Ephesus, the church there was probably established as a result of his extended ministry in Ephesus. Although it had once been a prosperous commercial center, by Paul’s day its prominence had diminished. While in prison, Paul was visited by Epaphras, a native of Colosse who may have founded the church there. His report of a developing problem in the Colosse church prompted Paul to write the letter. It seems that the church was coming under the influence of certain false teachers. The problem for the church seems to have that of syncretism. i.e.; combining various teachings from different religions to come up with something new.
Characteristics: Jesus is central as Paul demonstrates that “in everything He (has) supremacy” (1:18). Chapters 1 and 2 outline the cosmic nature of Christ who has reconciled all things to Himself through His death on the cross, independently of any effort on our own part. Chapters 3 and 4 give the implications of Christ’s lordship in terms of how those in union with Him are meant to live.
Let’s begin now with the opening six verses. Paul had not met any of the believers in Colosse except for Epaphras, yet he is attracted to them. Why? The answer to that is in verses 2-8.
Reread verses 2-8.
2 “To God’s holy people (saints) in Colossae, the faithful brothers, and sisters in Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people (saints)— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.”
Notice that some translations mention saints – verses 2 and 4. Sometimes, we fail to remember that as believers that we are considered saints.
Verse 3 – Paul tells the believers in Colosse that he prayed daily for the church and the saints there. Imagine how encouraging that must have been for them knowing that Paul was holding them up in prayer. By the way, the church at Colosse was one of the smallest churches of those that were connected with Paul. A similar example could be our church WSCC is the smallest church plant by our sponsoring church – Easthaven Baptist in Kalispell. It is encouraging that we have people from all over the Flathead Valley praying for us.
Let us then answer the following questions from these verses: Where did their faith come from or what was their faith based upon? What does it mean to truly understand God’s grace? Why does Paul mention these in his opening greeting?
Verse 4 – The saints in Colosse had a reputation of being faithful and loving one another. That was quite a reputation.
Verse 5 – Paul reminds them where their faith came from – the true message of the gospel.
Verse 6 – Again, their reputation is mentioned by Paul that their faith was producing fruit and was spreading. Paul also said that their faith was based on the true understanding of God’s grace (The cross and nothing else).
Verses 7 and 8 – Epaphras is mentioned most likely because he is considered to be the founder of the Colossian church thereby reminding them that their faith in Jesus is grounded in what they first learned from him.
Concluding Remarks and Application
Paul was attracted to the believers in Colosse because of their reputation for being faithful. How are people attracted to West Shore Community Church?
As we get further down the road in our study, we will find that one of the purposes of Paul’s writing is to help them get back on track. So, he first reminds them of their faith grounded in the true meaning of grace. He is making sure that their reputation is not tainted by adding other things to grace.
