COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 1

OBSERVATION STAGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The purpose of the observation stage is to maintain focus on the text at hand within the normative rules of language, context and by the book of Colossians. This will serve to avoid going on unnecessary tangents elsewhere; and more importantly, it will provide the framework for a proper and objective comparison with passages located elsewhere in Scripture.

Note that similar or the same subject matter describing an historic event which matter is essentially the same as the subject matter in another passage in Scripture does not necessarily prove that the passages in view portray the same event.

On the other hand, passages in Scripture which not only have similar or the same subject matter describing an event but which also have different subject matter from one another, may or may not have the same event in view depending upon a full examination of the context of each of the passages. Given the brevity of the bible - the limited time, space and resources such as paper, ink, etc. - not everything was capable of being included in each of the writings or even in all of the writings together. There are going to be similarities and differences. But a careful examination of Scripture will reveal that there is nevertheless a miraculous harmony and complete absence of contradiction.

Remember that something elsewhere may be true, but in the text at hand it may not be in view.

I) [Col 1:1-14]:

A) [VERSES]:

1) [Col 1:1]:

a) [(Col 1:1) Commentary On Col 1:1]:

PAUL OPENS HIS EPISTLE WITH THE DECLARATION THAT HE IS AN APOSTLE - A SPECIFICALLY APPOINTED MESSENGER OF JESUS CHRIST FOR A DESIGNATED / PARTICULAR MINISTRY / MISSION THROUGH THE WILL OF GOD, AS OPPOSED TO ALL BELIEVERS WHO ARE APOSTLES - MESSENGERS IN A GENERAL SENSE ESPECIALLY RELATIVE TO THE GOSPEL AND DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH, THUS AUTHENTICATING THE WRITING OF THIS EPISTLE AS A COMMISSIONED AMBASSADOR FOR JESUS CHRIST. WHEREUPON PAUL ADDS THAT THIS LETTER EVIDENTLY COMES FROM TIMOTHY - A BROTHER IN THE FAITH AS WELL INDICATING HIS VALUE TO PAUL'S MINISTRY

2) [Col 1:2]:

a) [(Col 1:2) Manuscript Evidence for Col 1:2a]:

b) [(Col 1:2b) Manuscript Evidence for Col 1:2b]:

c) [(Col 1:2) Commentary on Col 1:2]:

PAUL REFERS TO THE BELIEVERS AT COLOSSE AND ALL BELIEVERS AS SAINTS AND TO THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS AS FAITHFUL BRETHREN, CHOSEN TO SERVE GOD. HE PRAYS FOR GRACE AND PEACE FROM GOD OUR FATHER BE GRANTED TO THEM

3) [(Col 1:3)]:

a) [(Col 1:3) Manuscript Evidence for Col 1:3]:

b) [(Col 1:3) Commentary On Col 1:3]:

PAUL INCLUDES TIMOTHY AND WRITES "WE" GIVE THANKS TO GOD, THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS, STIPULATING THAT THEY ARE ALWAYS PRAYING FOR THEM

4) [(Col 1:4)]:

a) [(Col 1:4) Manuscript Evidence For Col 1:4]:

b) [(Col 1:4) Commentary On Col 1:4]:

PAUL GIVES REASONS FOR HIS THANKSGIVING STATED IN VERSE 3: THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS' FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS AND THE LOVE THAT THEY HAVE EXPRESSED TOWARD ALL THE SAINTS

5) [Col 1:5]:

a) [(Col 1:5) Commentary On Col 1:5]:

PAUL STIPULATES A FUTHER REASON FOR GIVING THANKS TO GOD FOR THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS: BECAUSE OF THE SURE HOPE FOR THEM OF ETERNAL LIFE LAID UP IN HEAVEN AS A RESULT OF THEIR HAVING HEARD OF [AND BELIEVED IN] THE GOSPEL, THE WORD OF TRUTH

6) (Col 1:6]:

a) [(Col 1:6) Manuscript Evidence]:

b) [(Col 1:6) Commentary On Col 1:6]:

PAUL FURTHER COMMENTS THAT THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL IS PRESENT IN THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS, JUST AS IT IS IN ALL THE WORLD CONSTANTLY BEARING FRUIT AND INCREASING EVEN SINCE THE DAY THEY HEARD OF IT AND UNDERSTOOD THE GRACE OF GOD IN TRUTH

7) [Col 1:7]:

a) [(Col 1:7) Manuscript Evidence]:

b) [(Col 1:7) Commentary On Col 1:7]:

AND PAUL FURTHER STIPULATES THAT THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS LEARNED THE GOSPEL FROM EPAPHRAS, "OUR" BELOVED FELLOW BOND-SERVANT, WHO IS A FAITHFUL SERVANT OF CHRIST ON PAUL'S AND TIMOTHY'S BEHALF WHO THE LATTER WAS EVIDENTLY AN EMISSARY, MESSENGER AND PROBABLY A CONVERT OF PAUL'S WHO FOUNDED THE CHURCH IN COLOSSE

i) [Compare Col 1:7 with Col 4:12]:

c) [(Col 1:7) Compare Expositor's Bible Commentary On Col 1:7]:

8) [(Col 1:8)]:

a) [(Col 1:8) Commentary On Col 1:8]:

EPAPHRAS ALSO INFORMED PAUL OF THE COLOSSIAN'S AGAPE LOVE IN THE SPIRIT IN THE SENSE OF EXPRESSING AGAPE LOVE FOR ALL THE SAINTS

9) [Col 1:9-10]:

a) [(Col 1:9-10) Commentary On Col 1:9-10]:

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

b) [(Col 1:10) Compare Expositor's Bible Commentary On Col 1:10]:

10) [Col 1:11]:

a) [(Col 1:11) [Commentary On Col 1:11]:

AS IT INDICATES IN COL 1:1-11, WHEN PAUL HEARD FROM EPAPHRAS ABOUT THE FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS OF THE BELIEVERS IN COLOSSE, THEIR LOVE FOR ALL THE SAINTS, THE SURE HOPE OF THEIR SALVATION, THEIR HAVING PREVIOUSLY HEARD AND BELIEVED IN THE GOSPEL LEARNED FROM EPAPHRAS, FAITHFUL SERVANT OF CHRIST ON PAUL'S BEHALF, WITH PAUL HAVING CONTINUALLY PRAYED FOR THEM THAT THEY MAY BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S WILL FOR THEM AND IN ALL SPIRITUAL WISDOM THAT THEY MAY WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE LORD TO THE END RESULT IN VERSE 11 THAT THEY BE STRENGTHENED WITH ALL POWER TO GOD'S GLORIOUS MIGHT FOR THE ATTAINING OF ALL STEADFASTNESS AND PATIENCE UNTO THE JOY OF SERVING THE LORD

b) (Col 1:11) [Compare Bible Knowledge Commentary On Col 1:11]:

c) [(Col 1:11) Compare Expositor's Bible Commentary On Col 1:11]:

11) [Col 1:12-13]:

a) [(Col 1:12-13) Commentary On Col 1:12-13]:

AS IT INDICATES IN COL 1:1-11, WHEN PAUL HEARD FROM EPAPHRAS ABOUT THE FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS OF THE BELIEVERS IN COLOSSE, THEIR LOVE FOR ALL THE SAINTS, THE SURE HOPE OF THEIR SALVATION, THEIR HAVING PREVIOUSLY HEARD AND BELIEVED IN THE GOSPEL LEARNED FROM EPAPHRAS, FAITHFUL SERVANT OF CHRIST ON PAUL'S BEHALF, WITH PAUL HAVING CONTINUALLY PRAYED FOR THEM THAT THEY MAY BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S WILL FOR THEM AND IN ALL SPIRITUAL WISDOM THAT THEY MAY WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE LORD TO THE END RESULT IN VERSE 11 THAT THEY BE STRENGTHENED WITH ALL POWER TO GOD'S GLORIOUS MIGHT FOR THE ATTAINING OF ALL STEADFASTNESS AND PATIENCE UNTO THE JOY OF SERVING THE LORD. WHEREUPON IN VV. 12-13, PAUL EXPOUNDS ON HIS PRAYER GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER, WHO HAS QUALIFIED BELIEVERS TO SHARE IN THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS IN LIGHT - IN THE LIGHT OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. FOR ALL BELIEVERS WERE RESCUED FROM THE DOMAIN OF DARKNESS AND TRANSFERRED INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD'S BELOVED SON - AN IMMEDIATE AND EVERLASTING POSITION IN THIS TEMPORAL LIFE IN THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE MOMENT OF FAITH IN CHRIST

i) [(Col 1:13) [Compare Col 1:13 with Eph 5:8-9]:

i_1) [Col 1:13) [Expositor's Commentary On Eph 5:8-9]:

b) [(Col 1:12-13) Bible Knowledge Commentary On Col 1:12-13]:

c) [Compare Expositor's Bible Commentary On Col 1:12-13]:

12) [Col 1:14]:

a) [(Col 1:14) Manuscript Evidence]:

b) [(Col 1:14) Commentary On Col 1:14]:

IN WHOM - IN GOD'S BELOVED SON - WE BELIEVERS HAVE REDEMPTION, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS BEGINNING IMMEDIATELY AT THE POINT OF SAVING FAITH AWAITING THE FINAL STAGE OF REDEMPTION OF BEING TRANSFORMED INTO THE PERFECT ETERNAL STATE. SO IN VIEW IS THE REDEMPTION - THE PAYMENT FOR THE TRESPASSES / SINS PARTICULARLY THE SAINTS - THE BELIEVING ONES IN CHRIST JESUS WHO HAVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED BECAUSE CHRIST PAID FOR THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND. ALTHOUGH ALL MANKIND HAS HAD THEIR SINS PAID FOR, FORGIVENESS UNTO ETERNAL LIFE IS NOT RECEIVED UNTIL ONE BELIEVES IN JESUS CHRIST FOR IT.

i) [(Col 1:14) Compare Col 1:14 with Eph 1:3-7]:

A) [INTRODUCTION]:

B) [VERSES]:

1) [Col 1:14-15a]:

a) [(Col 1:15a) Commentary On Col 1:15a]:

JESUS CHRIST IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISISIBLE GOD - AN EXACT / ACCURATE / CREDIBLE REPRESENTATION AND MANIFESTATION OF THE ABSOLUTE IMAGE OF GOD CORROBORATING THE DEITY OF THE SON OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST. FOR NO ONE ELSE BUT GOD CAN POSSESS SUCH AN IMAGE

i) [(Col 1:15a) Compare Col 1:15a with 2 Cor 4:3-4]:

ii) [(Col 1:15a) Compare Col 1:15a with Heb 1:3]:

iii) [(Col 1:15a) Compare Col 1:15a with Jn 1:18]:

iv) [(Col 1:15a) Compare Col 1:15a with 1 Tim 1:15-17]:

v) [(Col 1:15a) Compare Col 1:15a with Jn 14:9]:

vi) (Col 1:15a) [Compare Col 1:15a with Phil 2:5-8  ]:

vii) [(Col 1:15a) Compare Col 1:15a with Heb 10:1]:

viii) [(Col 1:15a) Compare Col 1:15a with Jn 17:5]:

ix) [(Col 1:15a) Compare Col 1:15a with Ro 1:20]:

x) [(Col 1:15a) Compare Col 1:15a with Jn 1:1c ]:

xi) So Jesus Christ Is Both God And Man Whenever He Is Referred To In Colossians Chapter One And Everywhere In Scripture

2) [Col 1:15b]:

a) [(Col 1:15b) Commentary On Col 1:15b]:

JESUS CHRIST IS THE FIRST BORN OF ALL CREATION IN THE SENSE OF BEING PREEMINENT OVER ALL OF CREATION BECAUSE HE IS ITS CREATOR. HE HAS SUPREME POSITION AND AUTHORITY OVER ALL OF CREATION. HE IS NOT FIRST CREATED BECAUSE HE IS BEFORE ALL CREATION, WHO CREATED ALL THAT HAS BEEN CREATED, HENCE HE IS CREATOR, UNCREATED - GOD

i) [(Col 1:15b) Compare Col 1:15b with the next two verses, (Col 1:16-17), to prove out Christ's absolute superiority over all things]:

ii) [(Col 1:15b) Compare Col 1:15b with Rev 1:5]:

iii) [(Col 1:15b) Compare Col 1:15b with Heb 1:5-6]:

iv) [(Col 1:15b) Compare Col 1:15b with Rev 1:17-18]:

v) [(Col 1:15b) Compare Col 1:15b with Rev 3:14]:

vi) [(Col 1:15b) Compare Col 1:15b with Ro 8:28-29]:

3) [Col 1:15-17]:

a) [(Col 1:15-17 NASB) Commentary On Col 1:16-17]:

JESUS CHRIST IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD, THE FIRSTBORN OF ALL CREATION: ALL THINGS WERE CREATED THROUGH HIM AND FOR HIM AND BY HIM IN THE HEAVENS AND ON EARTH, VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE, THRONES OR DOMINIONS OR RULERS OR AUTHORITIES. IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER. HE IS UNCREATED AND GOD. TO HIM THE UNIVERSE OWES ITS EXISTENCE

i) [(Col 1:16a & b) Compare Col 1:16a & b With Jn 1:3, 10]:

b) [(Col 1:16-17 NASB) Further Commentary On Col 1:16-17]:

i) [(Col 1:15-17) Compare Col 1:16-17 With Heb 1:1-3]:

4) [Col 1:18]:

a) [(Col 1:18) Manuscript Evidence For Col 1:18]:

5) [Col 1:19]:

a) [(Col 1:19 NASB) Commentary On Col 1:19]:

FOR IT WAS GOD THE FATHER'S GOOD PLEASURE FOR ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD - EVERYTHING THAT GOD IS - TO DWELL IN JESUS CHRIST IN HIS HUMANITY THUS HE IS GOD!

i) [Compare Col 1:19 NKJV]:

ii) [Compare Col 2:9]:

ii_a) [Compare 1 Ti 2:5]:

6) [Col 1:19-20]:

a) [(Col 1:20a) Manuscript Evidence For Col 1:20a]:

b) [(Col 1:20b) Manuscript Evidence For Col 1:20b]:

c) [(Col 1:19-20) Commentary On Col 1:19-20]:

FOR IT WAS GOD THE FATHER'S GOOD PLEASURE FOR ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD - EVERYTHING THAT GOD IS - TO DWELL IN JESUS CHRIST IN HIS HUMANITY THUS HE IS GOD! AND THROUGH HIM IT WAS THE FATHER'S GOOD PLEASURE TO RECONCILE ALL THINGS IN CREATION TO HIMSELF [GOD] HAVING MADE PEACE WITH ALL THROUGH THE BLOOD OF HIS [CHRIST'S] CROSS - HE PROPITIATION FOR SINS. AND PAUL REPEATS FOR EMPHASIS THAT SUCH RECONCILIATION OF ALL THINGS TO GOD WAS THROUGH CHRIST, WHETHER IT BE THINGS ON EARTH OR THINGS IN HEAVEN - ALL OF CREATION.

7) [Col 1:20-22]:

a) [(Col 1:22) Manuscript Evidence For Col 1:22]:

b) [(Col 1:21-22) Commentary On Col 1:21-22]:

8) [Col 1:21-23]:

a) [(Col 1:23) Manuscript Evidence For Col 1:23]:

b) [(Col 1:21-23) Commentary On Col 1:21-23]:

ALTHOUGH BEFORE THE COLOSSIANS BECAME BELIEVERS THEY WERE ALIENATED AND HOSTILE IN THEIR MINDS AND ENGAGED IN EVIL DEEDS, BUT THEN THEY TRUSTED IN CHRIST, SO JESUS CHRIST THEN RECONCILED THEM IN HIS FLESHLY BODY THROUGH HIS DEATH, IN ORDER TO PRESENT THEM BEFORE GOD HOLY AND BLAMELESS AND BEYOND REPROACH ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY CONTINUE IN THE FAITH FIRMLY ESTABLISHED AND STEADFAST, AND HAVE NOT MOVED AWAY FROM THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL THAT YOU HAVE HEARD, WHICH WAS PROCLAIMED IN ALL CREATION UNDER HEAVEN, AND OF WHICH PAUL WAS MADE MINISTER

9) [COMMENTARIES ON COL 1:15-29]:

a) (Col 1:15-23) Compare Expositor's Bible Commentary On The Supremacy Of Jesus Christ Relative To The Colossian Heresy]:

10) [Col 1:24-29]:

a) [(Col 1:24-28) Manuscript Evidence]:

i) [(Col 1:27a) Manuscript Evidence For Col 1:27a]:

ii) [(Col 1:27b) Manuscript Evidence For Col 1:27b]:

iii) [(Col 1:28a) Manuscript Evidence For Col 1:28a]:

iv) [(Col 1:28b) Manuscript Evidence For Col 1:28b]:

b) [(Col 1:24-29) Commentary On Col 1:24-29]:

i) [Commentary On Col 1:24]:

PAUL NOW STATES THAT HE REJOICES IN HIS SUFFERINGS FOR THE SAKE OF THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS AND FOR ALL BELIEVERS. FOR IN HIS [PAUL'S] FLESH HE DOES HIS SHARE ON BEHALF OF HIS [CHRIST'S] BODY, WHICH IS THE CHURCH, IN FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING IN CHRIST'S AFFLICATIONS IN THE SENSE OF PAUL'S PERSONAL SUFFERINGS ON BEHALF OF FELLOW BELIEVERS BY PARTICIPATING IN CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS AS THE WORLD PERSECUTES THE CHURCH CHRIST'S BODY THROUGHOUT THIS AGE

[Expositor's Commentary On Col 1:24]:

i 1) [Compare 2 Tim 3:10-12]:

i 2) [Compare Heb 10:32-33]:

i 3) [Compare Ro 8:16-18]:

i 4) [Compare 2 Cor 1:5-7]:

i 5) [Compare Phil 1:29; 2:17]:

[Bible Knowledge Commentary on Phil 2:17]:

[Expositor's Bible Commentary on Phil 2:17]:

i 6) [Compare 2 Tim 1:8-9; 2:8-10]:

[Bible Knowledge Commentary on 2 Tim 2:8-10]:

[Expositor's Bible Commentary on 2 Tim 2:8-9]:

ii) [Commentary On Col 1:24-25]:

PAUL STATED IN COL 1:24 THAT HE REJOICES IN HIS SUFFERINGS FOR THE SAKE OF THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS AND FOR ALL BELIEVERS. FOR IN HIS [PAUL'S] FLESH HE DOES HIS SHARE ON BEHALF OF HIS [CHRIST'S] BODY, WHICH IS THE CHURCH, IN FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING IN CHRIST'S AFFLICATIONS IN THE SENSE OF PAUL'S PERSONAL SUFFERINGS ON BEHALF OF FELLOW BELIEVERS BY PARTICIPATING IN CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS AS THE WORLD PERSECUTES THE CHURCH - THE BODY OF CHRIST THROUGHOUT THIS AGE. FOR IT IS EXPLAINED IN COL 1:25, IT IS THE CHURCH OF WHICH HE BECAME A MINISTER ACCORDING TO THE STEWARDSHIP / THE RESPONSIBILITY / THE COMMISSION ASSIGNED TO HIM FROM AND BY GOD WHICH WAS GIVEN TO HIM FOR THE SAKE OF THE BELIEVERS IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD

[Expositor's Bible Commentary on Col 1:25]:

iii) [Commentary On Col 1:24-29]:

iii 1) [Commentary On Col 1:26]:

PAUL STATED IN COL 1:24 THAT HE REJOICES IN HIS SUFFERINGS FOR THE SAKE OF THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS AND FOR ALL BELIEVERS. FOR IN HIS [PAUL'S] FLESH HE DOES HIS SHARE ON BEHALF OF HIS [CHRIST'S] BODY, WHICH IS THE CHURCH, IN FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING IN CHRIST'S AFFLICTIONS IN THE SENSE OF PAUL'S PERSONAL SUFFERINGS ON BEHALF OF FELLOW BELIEVERS BY PARTICIPATING IN CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS AS THE WORLD PERSECUTES THE CHURCH - THE BODY OF CHRIST THROUGHOUT THIS AGE. FOR IT IS EXPLAINED IN COL 1:25, IT IS THE CHURCH OF WHICH HE BECAME A MINISTER ACCORDING TO THE STEWARDSHIP / THE RESPONSIBILITY / THE COMMISSION ASSIGNED TO HIM FROM AND BY GOD WHICH WAS GIVEN TO HIM FOR THE SAKE OF THE BELIEVERS IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD

THEN IN COL 1:26, PAUL DECLARED THAT THE FULFILLMENT OF THE WORD OF GOD WAS THE MYSTERY THAT HAS BEEN HIDDEN FROM THE PAST AGES AND GENERATIONS, BUT HAS NOW BEEN MANIFESTED TO HIS [GOD'S] SAINTS IN THIS AGE - THE CHURCH

[Expositor's Commentary On Col 1:26]:

iii_2) [Compare Excerpts From Ephesians Chapter 3 on the mystery of the Church ]:

iii 3) [Commentary On Col 1:27]:

AND THEN IN COL 1:27, THIS HERETOFORE UNKNOWN BODY OF BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST - GENTILE BELIEVERS, GOD NOW WILLED TO BE KNOWN WHAT IS THE GLORY OF THIS MYSTERY AMONG THE GENTILE BELIEVERS, IN THE SENSE THAT THE GENTILES WILL SHARE IN THE GLORY OF GOD WITH THE JEWS WHO ARE FELLOW BELIEVERS IN CHRIST. AND THAT GLORY IS CHRIST IN THEM. SO THE MYSTERY - LONG HIDDEN THROUGHOUT THE AGES BUT NOW REVEALED IS NOT THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL TO THE GENTILES AND ALL THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD; FOR THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED TO ALL MANKIND SINCE THE BEGINNING; BUT THE MYSTERY IS THE INDWELLING OF JESUS CHRIST IN HIS PEOPLE: THOSE WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO BELIEVE IN HIM, WHETHER JEW OR GENTILE. FOR IT IS THE CHRIST IN YOU [THE BELIEVER] WHO IS THE HOPE OF GLORY!

iii 4) [Commentary On Col 1:28-29]:

IN COL 1:28-29, PAUL WROTE, "WE PROCLAIM CHRIST, ADMONISHING EVERY MAN AND TEACHING EVERY MAN WITH ALL WISDOM, SO THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERY MAN COMPLETE IN CHRIST. FOR THIS PURPOSE ALSO [PAUL LABORS], STRIVING ACCORDING TO HIS [CHRIST'S] POWER, WHICH MIGHTLY WORKS WITHIN [HIM].