Today you should read: Colossians 1
Welcome to a quick read through the book of Colossians. We’ve been studying chapters 3-4 pretty closely over the last few weeks in our series on how the Resurrection Changes Relationships.
Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul from his prison cell in Rome during his first imprisonment there. Timothy was there assisting him – now that’s discipleship in action! It was written sometime in the Spring of AD 57 – that’s about 23 years or so after Jesus’ death.
The letter was written to the church in Colossae located about 12 miles below Laodicea near the well-traveled road from Ephesus to the Euphrates river. Colossae was a trade city known for making dark red wool known as colossinum. Philemon lived there – the church was in his house. Epaphras was the founder of the church. Colossae is in ruins today due to a severe earthquake in AD 60 and decline.
Paul is writing to the church to address doctrinal issues and practical living in the real world. In the rich introduction, Paul expresses his desire for this young church, and for the believers in it.
You can tell by verses 3-5 that these new converts are growing and taking root. What changed them of course, is the Gospel (v. 6). Paul’s prayer for the fledgling church is for them to have complete knowledge of God’s will, spiritual wisdom, and understand. (v. 9) These are great things for us to pray for as well and to ask God to give to our disciplees. The strength for these comes from His glorious power (v. 11).
All this comes through the wonderful gift of salvation.
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (v.13-14)
Verses 15 and following remind us that Christ is the image of the invisible God, that He existed before creation and created everything by His word. He holds everything together and through His death He reconciled us to Himself. He exhorts the church to continue to be faithful (v. 22) and to stand firm in what they believe.
By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor
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