UNLEASHING THE TEXT
Read Colossians 1:1–8, noting the key words and definitions next to the passage.
Colossians 1:1–8 (NKJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
Timothy (v. 1)—Paul’s co-laborer and true child in the faith was able to be with him because, although Paul was a prisoner, he had personal living quarters (Acts 28:16–31).
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
saints (v. 2)—those who have been separated from sin and set apart to God—the believers in Colosse
faithful (v. 2)—a word used in the New Testament exclusively for believers
Colosse (v. 2)—one of three cities in the Lycus River valley in the region of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia (part of modern Turkey), about one hundred miles east of Ephesus
3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 3)—This designation was often used to show that Jesus was one in nature with God, as any true son is with his father. It was an affirmation of Christ’s deity (see Rom. 15:6; 2 Cor. 1:3; 11:13; Eph. 1:3; 3:14; 1 Pet. 1:3).
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;
love for all the saints (v. 4)—one of the visible fruits of true saving faith is love for fellow believers (John 13:34–35; Gal. 5:22; 1 John 2:10; 3:14–16).
5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
the hope which is laid up (v. 5)—The believer’s hope is inseparable from his faith.
6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
in all the world (v. 6)—The gospel was never intended for an exclusive group of people; it is good news for the whole world (Matt. 24:14; 28:19–20; Mark 16:15; Rom. 1:8, 14, 16; 1 Thess. 1:8). It transcends all ethnic, geographic, cultural, and political boundaries.
fruit (v. 6)—refers to the saving effect of gospel preaching and to the growth of the church
7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,
8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
Epaphras (v. 7)—the likely founder of the church at Colosse
1) In this short passage, we gain a number of insights into the lives of the Colossian believers. What words and phrases did Paul use to describe this church and his relationship with it?
[Your Response]
2) If this were the only passage in the Bible that described the gospel, what could you learn about God’s good news, just from these eight verses?
[Your Response]
3) What hope did the Colossians have?
[Your Response]
4) Paul mentioned “love” three times. What is the connection between the gospel and love?
[Your Response]
5) What do we learn about Epaphras?
[Your Response]
GOING DEEPER
Right off the bat in his letter to the Colossians, Paul described the gospel in terms of how it radically changes people’s lives. For more perspective on this great truth, read 1 John 4:7–16.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
