Alan Knox

I’m studying through the book of Colossians because I plan to teach through the book during the month of March (and the first Sunday in April). So far, I’ve written these posts in the series:

The beginning of the study
Preliminary outline
Salutation (author, recipients, greeting)
Prayer Part 1
Prayer Part 2
Jesus’ preeminence over creation
Jesus’ preeminence over the church
Paul’s service for the gospel
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 1
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 2
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 3
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 4
Exhortation to put off an earthly way of life

In the previous passage, Paul exhorted the Colossians to put off their old way of life (Colossians 3:5-11). (Remember, that passage and the following are part of a longer teaching / paraenesis section in Colossians 2:6-4:6.) However, it is not enough to simply stop doing the things of the earth. Instead, Paul says the Colossians should now live in a completely new and different way – in the way of Christ.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17 ESV)

Paul reminds them that they are God’s chosen people, they are holy (separate), and they are loved. Because of this, he says that should “put on” certain characteristics (using the metaphor of getting dressed – in fact, it could even be translated “Clothe yourselves with...” [Colossians 3:12]) Again, we should not take these characteristics (“compassion, kindness, humility…”) as exhaustive. Instead, they are representative of the kind of life that a person lives in Christ. Paul pauses momentarily on the importance of forgiveness and patience when dealing with one another (Colossians 3:13). Of course, the impetus for forgiving one another is the fact that they have all been forgiven in Christ (Colossians 3:14).

But, as much emphasis as Paul puts on forgiveness, he emphasizes love even more (Colossians 3:15). He says that above everything else, they should be clothed in love. Love, Paul says, binds everything together in perfect unity. Without love, the other characteristics fall apart. This is similar to what he tells the Corinthians about spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 13).

But living this new way of life – living life in Christ – does not just affect personal characteristics. A person’s relationships with others is also changed. The first exhortation appears to be personal also: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:15). But, Paul says they were called into “one body” for this very peace. So, the peace of Christ affects them individually, but it also affects them as a community, and leads to thankfulness.

Similarly, Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell (live) among your richly (abundantly)” (Colossians 3:16). Previously, I noted that Paul says the “word” is Christ himself. So, this may better be translated as “Let the word – which is Christ…” or “Let the message about Christ….” What happens when Christ (or the gospel) lives among them? They teach and admonish one another, and they sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in their hearts to the Lord (Jesus). Remember that “teaching and admonishing” was part of Paul’s on ministry of the gospel on behalf of the church (Colossians 1:28). So, Paul is saying that when Christ dwells among the Colossians, they will teach and admonish one another, just as Paul teaches and admonishes others.

Paul wraps up this section with a general exhortation (Colossians 3:17): Speak every word and do every deed in the name (authority and character and presence) of Jesus Christ. And in everything, be thankful to God. Of course, this command covers both putting to death the things of the earth and the worldly lifestyle as well as dressing in the things of Christ.

What would you add to my study of this passage in Colossians?

I’m studying through the book of Colossians because I plan to teach through the book during the month of March (and the first Sunday in April). So far, I’ve written these posts in the series:

The beginning of the study
Preliminary outline
Salutation (author, recipients, greeting)
Prayer Part 1
Prayer Part 2
Jesus’ preeminence over creation
Jesus’ preeminence over the church
Paul’s service for the gospel
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 1
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 2
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 3
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 4

As I am studying through Colossians, I am in the middle of a long teaching (paraenesis) in Colossians 2:6-4:6.

In this next section, Paul builds on his previous exhortations. Remember that he has been encouraging his readers to trust Christ alone so that they are not deceived into following human wisdom, philosophies, traditions, rationalizations, rules and regulations, etc. (Colossians 2:6-3:4). In this passage, Paul begins some general exhortations about what is means to walk (live) in a manner that is worthy of Christ and the gospel:

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:5-11 ESV)

At first glance, this passage seems to contradict an earlier statement where Paul said that rules and regulations (“Do not handle; do not taste; do not touch”) are of no value to the one who is in Christ (Colossians 2:20-23). The difference, however, is in the purpose and motivations. In the previous passage, Paul said that these rules and regulations are of no benefit toward making someone holy (in Christ) or in helping someone deny the flesh (avoid temptations). In this passage, Paul starts with the fact that the person is already in Christ, and is answering the question, “So how do we live now that we are in Christ?”

Paul had written previously that the Colossians had died to their old way of life, and here he continues that theme by saying that should then put to death the things that were part of their old life (Colossians 3:5). While Paul lists a few things that belong to the old way of life, the list should not be taken as exhaustive. Instead, these are examples of “earthly” living and follows from “earthly” thinking.

Paul reminds them of two things related to these “old” ways of living: 1) these are the things that deserve and that provoke the wrath of God, and 2) they have already participated in these things in the past (Colossians 3:6-7). These reminders should lead toward praise and thanksgiving, and away from pride.

Paul again lists a few “vices” of the old life and focuses on lying as an example (Colossians 3:8-9). For the person who has laid aside (or “put to death”) the old way of living and has been raised with Christ into a new life and new way of living; lying to brothers and sisters should be a completely foreign concept. Instead, the new way of living flows from “the new” (the new self, the new life) which is constantly being renewed by Jesus Christ, the one who created the new life in the first place (Colossians 3:10).

To whom is this new life available (and who should be able to put away the old way of life)? Any who are in Christ. This applies to all nationalities, genders, ethnicities, social statuses, etc. (Colossians 3:11). Why? Because in Christ, all are now new people. They are not defined in the way the world defines them (based on nationality, gender, ethnicity, social status, etc.), but they are not identified with and defined by Christ. He is all, and he is in all.

This new way of life – the manner of living in Christ – is not dependent upon culture. Regardless of what society or culture deems acceptable or good, the one who is in Christ lives as Christ would, not as culture dictates.

What would you add to my study of this passage in Colossians?

I’m studying through the book of Colossians because I plan to teach through the book during the month of March (and the first Sunday in April). So far, I’ve written these posts in the series:

The beginning of the study
Preliminary outline
Salutation (author, recipients, greeting)
Prayer Part 1
Prayer Part 2
Jesus’ preeminence over creation
Jesus’ preeminence over the church
Paul’s service for the gospel
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 1
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 2
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 3

I’ve been studying through the section of Colossians in which Paul exhorts his readers to trust Christ and not human wisdom, philosophy, traditions, etc (Colossians 2:6-3:4). This is the last part of this section. (As a reminder, this section is part of a larger exhortation/paraenesis (teaching) section that runs from Colossians 2:6 through Colossians 4:6.)

Here is the final passage in this section:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 ESV)

Once again, Paul returns to the baptism imagery (which points to the actual death and resurrection of Christ) to remind his readers of their position in Christ. He expects that a reminder of their relationship to God through Christ will help them stay away from human wisdom, philosophy, traditions, rules and regulations, etc.

Paul begins by reminding them that they were raised when Christ was raised (resurrected) (“Therefore, since you were raised together with Christ…”) (Colossians 3:1). While the English translation “if” above suggests that “raised together” may not have happened, a better translation of “since” puts Paul’s later exhortation in the proper perspective. Paul has already recognized their relationship with God through Christ, so he is not calling that into question now. Instead, he is using that relationship (which does exist) to punctuate and highlight what follows.

Since the Colossians were raised together with Christ, Paul exhorts them to both seek and to think about “the things that are above.” He explains that “the things that are above” are the things of Christ who is presently positioned at “the right hand of God,” which is a indication of power and authority, not necessarily of location (since Paul has already stated that Christ is present with the Colossians).

“The things that are above” – that is, the things related to Christ – are contrasted to “the things of the earth” (Colossians 3:2). In this section, it seems that Paul specifically has in mind the philosophies, traditions, logic, and rationalization (way of thinking) related to the world and its systems and rulers. Using “the mind of Christ” (as Paul would say to other readers) could appear contradictory and irrational and even unwise when viewed from a human perspective. But, Paul says, the Colossians are not supposed to view things from a human perspective, but from Christ’s perspective.

Paul again reminds the Colossians that they died together with Christ and are raised to new life – a new life that is “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). (Even if there was some question as to whether Colossians 3:1 should be translated, “If you were raised,” or “Since you were raised,” this sentence makes it clear that Paul believes the Colossians both died with Christ and now live in him.) But to whom or to what have the lives of the Colossians been hidden? Obviously, their lives have not been hidden from Christ or from God, since they are hidden with Christ in God. In context, their life (or perhaps “way of life”) has been hidden from those who continue to use human wisdom and who attempt to “capture” them using human philosophies, logic, traditions, rules and regulations, etc.

This will certainly lead to conflict with the Colossians who walk with Christ and others who walk in human wisdom. This conflict may also lead to pain and suffering on the part of the Colossian believers. What is the solution? When Christ is finally revealed as Lord, the Colossian Christians will also be revealed in his glory (Colossians 3:4). At the time, the truth will be obvious: Christ was life (and way of life) for the Colossians.

In this last statement, Paul goes beyond the baptism imagery that we’ve seen previously. Before, Paul pointed back to their baptism as a reminder of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But, in this last sentence, he includes the Colossians in the second coming of Christ. When Christ is revealed (appears), they will also be revealed (appear) together with him.

As a reminder, in this section of Colossians (Colossians 2:6-3:4) Paul has alternated between exhorting the Colossians to trust only Christ and warning them against being tricked into living according to human wisdom and traditions. He began with a reminder that they received Christ and must therefore live as Christ would live, being completely dependent on him (Colossians 2:6). He also ends by reminding the Colossians that they died with Christ and now live in Christ, and that they should continue in the way of Christ until both Jesus and they are revealed in truth and glory.

What would you add to my study of this section of Colossians?

I’m studying through the book of Colossians because I plan to teach through the book during the month of March (and the first Sunday in April). So far, I’ve written these posts in the series:

The beginning of the study
Preliminary outline
Salutation (author, recipients, greeting)
Prayer Part 1
Prayer Part 2
Jesus’ preeminence over creation
Jesus’ preeminence over the church
Paul’s service for the gospel
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 1
Contrasting Christ with human wisdom Part 2

As I continue studying through this section of Colossians, in this post I will focus on this passage:

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations – “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” ( referring to things that all perish as they are used) – according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. (Colossians 2:16-23 ESV)

In this passage, Paul again warns the Colossians against trusting human traditions, even those that appear to promote some type of wisdom. In our terms, this human wisdom and philosophy would seem to be rational and logical and even religious. However, Paul says to stay away from these things and only trust Christ.

Paul begins by warning that some would attempt to “pass judgment” on the Colossians based upon whether or not they kept certain rules and regulations related to food, drink, or special days (Colossians 2:16). He immediately jumps to the problem with these kinds of rules and regulations. While they may have had a good purpose in the past, they were only a shadow of the reality that the Colossians now have in Christ himself (Colossians 2:17).

While the previous warnings may have been against practices related to Judaism, the next warnings are broader, and perhaps dip into some pagan practices. Paul says that some will judge the Colossians based on their views of asceticism, the worship of angels, or following dreams and visions (Colossians 2:18). Again, the problem with these practices is that growth does not come from them. Instead, Paul says, growth comes only by holding fast to the head (previously identified as Jesus Christ – Colossians 1:18) and being joined together in community with one another (Colossians 2:19). This is the growth that comes from God.

Paul exhorts his readers based on their new life in Christ. He reminds them that together with Christ they have died to their old life (“Since you died with Christ…”), so they should no longer follow the basic principles that guide this world (Colossians 2:20). Paul says that the world’s wisdom teaches, “Do not handle; do not taste; do not touch” (and other such prohibitions), but that these kinds of rules and regulations have no power to break the tempations that lead to sin (Colossians 2:21-23). To the world (and obviously to many Christians today), prohibitions such as these are the basis of following God. But, for the one who is in Christ, they have no value against temptation and sin.

Now, one question we must consider is this: Were the Colossians currently falling for these kinds of human rules and regulations, thinking that they were living godly lives by obeying them? It’s possible. However, it is also possible that Paul was teaching in general. Usually, when Paul is dealing with current problems among the believers of a city, he would say something like, “It has been reported to me…” (1 Corinthians 1:11), or “I am astonished that you…” (Galatians 1:6), and then he would identify the particular problem that exists.

Next, there is a clear warning here for modern churches. Many seem to define themselves based on what they are against or what they do not allow “their members” to do. Paul would teaching against this, saying their is no value for growth in this kind of teaching. Instead, he would exhort them to trust Christ alone, not those rules and regulations of human invention (even those that seem to produce godliness).

What would add to my discussion of this passage?