COLOSSIANS 1:1-8 - EXHORTATION CELEBRATION

COLOSSIANS 1:1-8

EXHORTATION CELEBRATION

Colossians 1:1 (KJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

Paul identifies himself as an apostle “by the will of God.” Paul did not proclaim himself to be an apostle, nor did he choose that calling. Apostle is a word meaning “messenger.” Paul, along with the twelve disciples including Matthias who replaced the betrayer, Judas Iscariot, was Jesus’ messenger and was allowed to use the word apostle as a title. The Apostles preached and taught the Gospel of Jesus, and some of them were used of the Holy Spirit to write the New Testament. The Apostles were all witnesses of the resurrected Jesus. Paul is in this category because Jesus Himself appeared to him on the road to Damascus and changed his life forever (Acts 9). The Lord designed the task of apostleship for Paul and declared it to him.

Acts 9:15-16 (KJV) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Paul loved Timotheus (Timothy) as his son because he discipled him. Paul encouraged Timothy as he worked alongside him and later when Timothy became a pastor himself. 

1 Timothy 1:2 (KJV) Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Timothy could be with Paul even though he was imprisoned because Paul was allowed to have his own quarters.

Acts 28:16 (KJV) And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

Paul was under house arrest. There were no ankle monitors in those days, so he was in the company of a guard at all times.

Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

As with the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was writing to believers, those who had trusted Jesus, at Colossae and then at Laodicea. Paul extended his usual greeting to the recipients of the letter by pronouncing grace and peace to them from the Lord.

Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

In expressing his thankfulness for the Colossian believers, Paul refers to God as the “Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” which affirms Jesus’ deity. The Son shares identity with the Father. The Father and Jesus are one in nature and in kind.

John 17:21 (KJV) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Paul and his fellow-laborers had the believers at Colossae on their prayer list since Epaphras had brought him news of their conversions, their trust in Jesus and how they ministered love one to the other.

Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

Their hope is the certainty that Jesus has prepared a place for those who have trusted in the redemptive work that He accomplished through the cross and the resurrection. This is the hope, the trust, that we will share in the glory of God in Heaven. They had this hope because the good news had been shared with them, and they received and trusted in this truth. The gospel, the good news, was the truth that Christ was victorious over Satan, sin, and death by His self-sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.

Colossian 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

The gospel message is intended for all classes, races, gender, and political groups of people – all the world. The evidence of their salvation is the fruit – their love for their brothers and sisters in Christ. They heard the gospel message, they received God’s grace, and their knowledge was observed in the way they carried themselves in everyday life.

Colossians 1:7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

Epaphras was the shepherd (pastor) of the congregation at Colossae. He had brought the message of redemption through Jesus to them and instructed them in the ways of the Lord.

Colossian 1:8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

Epaphras had journeyed to Rome to report to Paul the love of the believers for one another at Colossae. The fact that they were able to love in this manner was evidence of the Holy Spirit working in and among them.  As we will see further on in this letter, Epaphras had also shared some disturbing news of heresy in the church with the Apostle Paul.

Ponder This: Paul was all about preaching the gospel message, telling others about the saving grace available through trusting Jesus Christ. However, he also mentored churches by mail. He encouraged them in godly living and gave instruction to guard against heresy. Is there a new believer in your life that needs a mentor? Are you in need of a mentor? Encouraging one another and building up the body of Christ should be the work of every mature believer, not just the pastor.