Christ is all-sufficient for every believer who truly trust in Him and ready to serve Him faithfully. When the Gospel is sincerely preached, Jesus Christ glorify Himself in the life of the preacher and the hearers.
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| Revd G. S. Adeyemo |
An Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
Theme Text: Colossians 2: 9, 10
Author: The author introduces himself as Paul the Apostle of Jesus Christ. Apostle, is a compound Greek word "apo" and "stello," meaning "from" and "to send," In other words, a messenger with a specific assignment or task. He is conferred with the authority of the one who send him rather than the use of this word as a title with unquestionable control over other believers. The author of the Book of Hebrews uses this term in Hebrews 3: 1 and 2 “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.” This passage is in reference to the function of Jesus Christ as God’s special Messenger. Titus is referred to as messenger in 1 Corinthians 8: 23 “As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ” Some other references in the New Testament are Matt 10:2 Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13; Acts 1:2; Philippians 2: 25.
Apostle Paul referring to himself as an Apostle is a way of introducing his humble assignment as a messenger instead of lording himself on the people of God in Colosse. “Paul sought to develop personal connections with the people he hoped to teach and serve, rather than just going around from city to city asserting his apostolic authority.” - Chuck Swindoll.
Today, many leaders are disconnected from their followers because of overblown ego. Position of authority is an opportunity to serve the less privileged instead of exploiting them. If you will succeed in that position where God has put you, be ready to serve others. Jesus said, “Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:” Matthew 20: 25-27; Mark 10: 42- 44
Audience: -The message from Apostle Paul was sent to the saints and faithful brethren in Colosse. Colosse was a small village where those believers in Christ gathered to worship. Paul’s decision to identify with this small congregation was borne out of the love he has for the souls that he was sent to save and his desire to obey the voice of God who sent him.
Purpose: -Bible scholars believe that by the first century A.D. Colosse was diminished to a second-rate market town, which had been surpassed long before in power and importance by the neighbouring towns of Laodicea and Hierapolis. Epaphras had been converted and had carried the gospel to Colosse Col. 1:7-8; Acts 19:10. The young growing church became a target for the false teachers. Members were given strange teachings that were already taking them away from the truth. Typical among them was Gnosticism. They claimed to have special knowledge.
They felt that they were the people with superior understanding and deeper mysteries about God than the apostles. They taught people that except you accept their own wisdom or belong to their sect, you are inferior. These teachers discredited God’s direct creation acts. Another aspect of their false teachings is asceticism and unrestrained licentiousness. Therefore Epaphras needed the intervention of Paul in combating those false teachings by the false teachers. Paul therefore exalts Christ as the very image of God Col. 1:15, the Creator Col. 1:16, the pre-existent sustainer of all things Col. 1:17, the head of the Church Col. 1:18, the first to be resurrected Col. 1:18, the fullness of deity in bodily form Col. 1:19; 2:9 and the reconciler Col. 1:20-22 Thus Christ is completely adequate. We "have been given fullness of life in Christ" Col. 2:10.
Lessons for today
1. Paul is mindful of the mandate he has as delegated by the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Colossian Christians caught the attention of Paul out of his love for the kingdom business rather than personal comfort.
3. Christ is all-sufficient for very believer who truly trust in Him and ready to serve Him faithfully. When the Gospel is sincerely preached, Jesus Christ glorify Himself in the life of the preacher and the hearers.
