Faith, Hope & Love – Colossians 1:3-8
As I pointed out earlier, the words of greeting with which Paul begins this letter are pretty characteristic of his letters in general. The language he uses is fraught with meaning, but the greeting...
View ArticleOn the Colossian Heresy
People sometimes get idyllic notions of what the early Church was like. It is imagined that the early Church was more Spirit-filled, more unified, free from many of the problems the Church has today....
View ArticleBut, What About the Holy Spirit? – Colossians 1:9-12
As is generally the case with Paul’s letters, he begins by letting the church know he is praying for them. He really believed in the vital importance of prayer. Prayer is at the foundation of all...
View ArticleA Prayer for the Church – Colossians 1:9-12
Yesterday I introduced this prayer from the apostle Paul and gave some some personal reflections. There was a time when I don’t think I could have talked about the ongoing stages of the Christian...
View ArticleGrowing in the Knowledge of God – Colossians 1:9-12
And, now, having gotten some preliminary issues out of the way here and here, some comments on the text of the prayer itself: 9 Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἡμεῖς, ἀφ᾿ ἧς ἡμέρας ἠκούσαμεν, οὐ παυόμεθα ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν...
View ArticleGrace Can Do What Discipline Can’t
“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just...
View ArticleThe Self-Revelation of the Creator God – Colossians 1:16,17
Some people see Christian faith as something wholly internal and spiritual. To them it is an inward experience of meaning and hope. Certainly it is that — or it should be. But, that is not all it is....
View ArticleReconciliation – Colossians 1:21-23
In this early part of the letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul has been emphasizing the greatness of Christ. The verses just before this speak of Christ as the Head of the Church. Paul now...
View ArticleMinistry is Servanthood – Colossians 1:25
As I mentioned before, in Colossians 1:24-29, the apostle Paul talks about his own ministry. In verse 24 he talks he says “I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his...
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