COLOSSIANS
(Answers)
(Updated 02/2024)
CHAPTER 1
- We increase in knowledge to
know the will of God, which enables us to walk worthy of God fully
pleasing Him and to be fruitful in every good work.
- Jesus had the divine nature
of God. God gave Him the words and the power for the ministry of the
gospel (to give us understanding of God 1Jn 5:20).
- God before any of the earth’s
creation begot Jesus.
- a. God created all things
(Genesis 1:1). b. In God all things consist. c. Jesus is the head of the
church.
- Through Jesus' death on the
cross, God provided forgiveness of our sins. We now can approach Him
without wrath or instant judgment and have a way to be with Him forever.
- Earth was alienated from
Heaven. Now, through the cross Heaven and earth will be together (when the
new heavens and the new earth are formed (Revelation 21:1).
- If we continue in the faith,
grounded and steadfast in all it entails we will remain holy and
reconciled to God. (It will be impossible to be saved unless we continue
to lead lives becoming the gospel to the end.)
- The mystery from the ages is
the Gentiles will have the hope of glory and the opportunity for salvation
along with the Jews.
CHAPTER 2
- Paul wanted to see the
Colossians steadfast and rooted in the faith.
- To be steadfast is to keep
our faith in Christ and continue to be built up and conformed to His
image.
- We should be careful to not
follow the principles and traditions of men instead of Christ.
- The essence and nature of God
dwelled in Jesus in bodily form (as compared to mainly being between the
cherubim in the Holy of Holies).
- We are complete by being in
Christ for we are forgiven and justified for salvation.
- We show our commitment to the
covenant of God not with hands or by the flesh, but we are spiritually
circumcised in our hearts and from the sacrifice of Jesus our flesh or
body of sin is cut off.
- a. The requirements or
ordinances and rituals of the Law were done away. b. The scribes,
Pharisees, and Sadducees did not favor this.
- Holding fast to Christ and
His work through the cross instead of the regulations of men concerning
the law is the only requirement we need to cleanse us from sins of the
flesh. (Prevention of indulgence of the flesh will come through knowledge
of God and the Holy Spirit who will help us when needed.)
CHAPTER 3
- We must seek the things of
the heavenly world and seek to dwell with Christ. Therefore, we must walk
in purity and do those things that are pleasing to God.
- Love is the bond of
perfection that completes and fortifies the new man. If we have love then
we can have patience, kindness, humility, and forgiveness.
- The fruits of the spirit
bring peace in our hearts and peace with our brethren for the harmony of
the body (of Christ).
- We now represent Jesus
therefore do your deeds as a disciple of Christ.
- Wives should obey their
husbands in all things that are proper in the Lord (do not do something
that is against God's will).
- Children who obey their
parents will please God.
CHAPTER 4
- Sprinkle your conversation
with pleasantness and spiritual wisdom appropriately with whom you speak,
knowing what to say and how much to say, in mercy. Our speech should be
useful, agreeable, and beneficial to mankind and not overly loaded so as
to cause disinterest or rejection to the hearer.