Colossians and Philemon

Completion and Reconciliation in Christ

John F. MacArthur

• Publisher: HarperChristian Resources
• Year: 2015
• eBook ISBN: 9780718035310
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

The early church dealt with the same threats from false teachers that today's Christians face. Pastor John MacArthur will take you through Colossians and the short letter to Philemon, passage by passage, so that you can better understand Paul's arguments and how they apply to us today.

When Paul learned about the dangers the church was facing, he wrote them a message of warning. Colossians is full of dramatic and powerful passages coupled with rich instructions that defend Christ's deity and His sufficiency to reconcile men to God. Paul's message is a reminder that believers—then and now—are complete in Christ.

Paul also wrote a personal letter to Philemon, a prominent member of the Colossian church. This letter urges Philemon to forgive a former slave and thief and welcome him back as a brother in Christ. Through this real-life situation, Paul teaches Philemon, as well as believers today, the importance of forgiveness.

—ABOUT THE SERIES—

The MacArthur Bible Study series is designed to help you study the Word of God with guidance from widely respected pastor and author John MacArthur. Each guide provides intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture by examining its parts and incorporates:

• Extensive, but straight-forward commentary on the text.
• Detailed observations on overriding themes, timelines, history, and context.
• Word and phrase studies to help you unlock the broader meaning and apply it to your life.
• Probing, interactive questions with plenty of space to write down your response and thoughts.

1

THE GOSPEL TRUTH
Colossians 1:1–8

DRAWING NEAR

Excluding the news about Jesus dying for our sins and offering us new life, what is the best news you’ve ever received?

[Your Response]

If you were arrested and put on trial for being a Christian, what would be the strongest evidence that you are “guilty as charged”?

[Your Response]

THE CONTEXT

As this epistle opened, Paul and Timothy greeted their fellow believers with thanksgiving. Rejoicing at the report of their faith brought to him by Epaphras (the founder of the church at Colosse), he characteristically expressed thanks that the Colossians heard the glorious gospel and that it bore fruit in their lives.

Following the salutation, Paul’s words suggested seven aspects of the gospel: it is received by faith, results in love, rests in hope, reaches the world, reproduces fruit, is rooted in grace, and is reported by people. Before considering these aspects in more detail, take a brief look at the meaning of this key term that Paul uses.

KEYS TO THE TEXT

Gospel: This term is from the Greek word euangelion, from which we derive the English word evangelize. It literally means “good news.” It was often used in classical Greek to speak of the report of victory brought back from a battle. The gospel is the good news of Jesus’ victory over Satan, sin, and death. It is also the good news that we, too, can triumph eternally over those enemies through Him. Scripture describes the gospel with several phrases. Acts 20:24 calls it “the gospel of the grace of God.” Romans 1:9 designates it “the gospel of His Son,” 1 Corinthians 9:12 as “the gospel of Christ,” Ephesians 6:15 as “the gospel of peace,” and Revelation 14:6 as the “eternal gospel.” The gospel is also described as the “word of truth” (Col. 1:5) or the “message of truth” (Eph. 1:13). Those descriptions have given rise to our common expression “the gospel truth.” People use that phrase when they want to stress their sincerity, so that what they say will be believed.

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.

EXPLORING THE MEANING

6) What are some of the evidences the apostle John cites as “proof” that ...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Ebook Instructions
• Contents
• Introduction to Colossians
• 1. The Gospel Truth: Colossians 1:1–8
• 2. Paul Prays for the Colossians: Colossians 1:9–14
• 3. Christ’s Preeminence: Colossians 1:15–23
• 4. Paul’s View of Ministry: Colossians 1:24–29
• 5. Christ Over Philosophies: Colossians 2:1–10
• 6. Christ Over Legalism: Colossians 2:11–23
• 7. Christian Conduct: Colossians 3:1–17
• 8. The Christian Home: Colossians 3:18–21
• 9. Masters and Slaves: Colossians 3:22–4:1
• 10. The Speech of the New Man: Colossians 4:2–6
• 11. With a Little Help from My Friends: Colossians 4:7–18
• Introduction to Philemon
• 12. The Power of Forgiveness: Philemon 1–25