This post
follows in context Paul’s declaration of his appointment as a minister of the
gospel to the Gentiles. He goes on to
state his goal in ministry and acknowledges that his success is due to the
mighty work of the Holy Spirit through him.
Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all
wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
“Whom” =
Christ
Paul is
declaring that the whole of the message they proclaim is Christ—Savior, Lord,
Son of God, Creator, Eternal, Self-Existent.
The Greek for warning is a
reference to admonishment or gentle reproof; Webster adds the idea of
exhortation. In other words, they
weren’t beating people over the head with this truth or trying to scare them
with hellfire and brimstone preaching.
They were teaching with wisdom.
(cf verse 9 comments) Paul and
his co-laborers desire that every person they teach they will proudly be able
to present to God as perfect
(complete in mental and moral character) in Christ Jesus. In other words, they want God to be honored
through their efforts. It is important
to note that only those who are “in Christ Jesus” can aspire to be perfect.
Colossians 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which
worketh in me mightily.
Paul is quick
to note that though he is laboring, he is laboring through the empowerment of
the Holy Spirit—God working in him. If
we labor in the flesh, we can accomplish nothing of eternal value. Jesus was very clear in His teaching about
this.
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman…. John
15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I
in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Paul is very clear in his letter to
the Romans that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ.
Romans 8:9-11 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if
any man have not the Spirit of Christ,
he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but
the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that
raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the
dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Colossians 2:1-2 For I
would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and
for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That
their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all
riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the
mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
The Greek for
conflict is a reference to effort and
anxiety. I believe Paul is expressing
his great concern for the spiritual welfare of the believers at Colosse and
Laodicea. His letters always indicate
that he is a great prayer warrior on behalf of the Gentile church. It didn’t matter whether he knew them
personally or not; he was concerned for the health of the whole body of
believers. That is an area in which I
need to grow. I am much more focused on
prayer on behalf of those I know and am personally connected with in some way;
my desire is to grow as a prayer warrior for the whole body of believers.
Verse two
reflects the focus of his concern and, I believe, the substance of his prayers
for these believers.
- Their hearts would be comforted. – This is a
prayer for them to be strengthened in their faith and invigorated in
service to the Lord.
- They would be unified in love for one
another. – This prayer reflects the heart of the Savior as He prayed
before giving Himself in sacrifice for our sins. It is the love that believers have for
one another that most effectively declares the truth of the gospel
message.
John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall
believe on me through their word; 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.
This prayer affirms the truth He had
already taught His disciples.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I
have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that
ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
- They would be confident in their faith and
spiritual understanding. – This is a prayer for spiritual discernment of
the truth of God’s word. As a
Pharisee, Paul was from a background of knowledge without spiritual
understanding; and he knew how easily one could be deceived.
- They would recognize the mystery of God and the Father and Christ. – I believe this is a reference to God’s plan as established before the foundation of the world and as revealed in His Son. He worded it this way in his letter to Timothy.
- 1Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
And to the Ephesians……….
Ephesians 1:9-14 Having made known unto us
the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath
purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might
gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which
are on earth; even in him: In whom
also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the
purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory,
who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also
trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy
Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption
of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
I tend to
look at verse 2 as a reference to the triune God. Scripture tells us that God is a spirit, so God would be a reference to the Spirit
of God.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in
spirit and in truth.
He then goes
on to reference “and” the Father, “and” Christ.
In other words this mystery was the purpose and plan of Spirit, Father
and Son from the beginning; “Their” collective will is unified and
inseparable.
(to be
continued…)
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