Colossians 1:1-8

Here are some of my observations, notes, a little bit of research, and comments, and questions. Please feel free to comment and/or answer questions.  I still haven't found the time to look up specific words that I thought would be interesting to see what a concordance would say. I used an ESV.
 

author: Paul - possibly while he was imprisoned.  (4:10, 18)

Letter of Instruction [Possibly while the main minister (Epaphras, 1:7) is away, Epaphras sent his greeting 4:12] 

Verse 1. Written by Paul (and Timothy)

 Paul states that he is an apostle

He states that it is by the will of God

Verse 2. Written to: Brothers in Christ at Colossae (Saints and the "faithful" brothers)

Greetings of Grace and Peace (from the Giver of these things - "God our Father")

He used the word "our" when describing God.  Not "God the/your/my Father". 

These first 2 verses are very similar to Paul's other writings:

Philippians; 1, 2 Thessalonians; Timothy, Ephesians, etc.

Ephesians 1:1-2

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"

Verse 3. "WE alway thank God..." Question: Who is "We?" Possible thoughts may include Paul and Timothy (vs 1), or may include Paul,

Timothy along with the list of people mentioned in Colossians 4:7-17

"God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" - affirms who God is and who Jesus is -The Diety of Christ.

That thanking is in Prayer for the Colosians.  Paul sees the importance of prayer for fellow brothers in Christ

Verse 4. is an elaboration of verse 3, they thank God for the Colossians - the Colossians have Faith in Christ Jesus and love "for all the

saints".

These are similar to 1 Thes 1:2-3

"We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ".

The actions verbs ("WORK of faith", "LABOR of love") are missing from this section of Colossians, but it doens't mean they were missing. In verse 5, we have a third element that Paul often speaks of - hope. 

Verse 5. a continuation of verse 3 and 4.  it is because of the "Hope laid up for you in Heaven" that there is the faith and love. There is

security, not a wishful thinking, but a reassurance. 

The Colossians have heard this before from the Gospel - which IS "THE WORD OF TRUTH".  Paul states what may seem obvious, but wouldn't you agree that it helps to hear it. They heard this from Epaphras (verse7).

Verse 6. This "word of truth" has gone to them and is "bearing fruit and growing" - as it is among the "whole world"

"whole" is used here, but something we need to consider is the context and ask which meaning of the word "world" he intentioned?

Here are some other verses with bearing fruit:

John 15:5

"I am the vine, you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing"

John 15:16

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your furit should abide, so that whatever you aks the Father in My name, He may give it to you."

Philippians 1:9-11 (Note verse 11 specifically)

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,(10) so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,(11) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Paul states that the gospel also bears fruit (through Christ) in the Colossians, and has since they "Heard" and "understood the grace of God in truth" .  It not only requires hearing, but also understanding, "IN TRUTH", to see the grace of God and for it to bear fruit in thir lives. 

verse 7. Epaphras told the Colossians the gospel.  He is described as: fellow servant and faithful minister in Christ.  They "Learned" it from

Epaphras.  Learned is translated to "manthano" in Greek which is closely related to "mathetes" which means disciple.  Epaphras in "ministering" and it is an ongoing process. 

Verse 8. Epaphras then in turn has told Paul about the Colossians and their faith, love, hope, and fruit. 

Christ is mentioned over and over again.  It is in Him and through Him that faith, hope, love , and fruit are accessible to us. It is by God's grace that we have faith in Jesus to give and show our love and trust in the hope we have. 

This also shows us of the love Paul had for fellow believers. He is thankful when he prays for them.  Why? Should we be thankful for our brothers/sisters in Christ? Why should we be thankful for our brothers/sisters in Christ?  Why should we be thankful for the evidence in thier lives?  Why should we be thankful for the fruit that they are bearing?  Brothers and sisters in Christ and thier actions should be an encouragement to us, and our actions should be an enouragement to them. It is only through Christ that we can bear that fruit.  If we are bearing fruit that lasts, then that glorifies God and spread His gospel.  I'll repeat Philipians 1:9-11 "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God".

 

Megan