By: Keith West
BACKGROUND
The letter to the congregation at Colossae was written during Paul’s first prison term in Rome around 61 A.D. Paul was not directly acquainted with the believers at Colossae, but had received information regarding their false teachings which prompted this letter. Compare the instructions to the Colossians to those for the Ephesians, especially regarding the role of husbands, wives and children. Paul emphasized Christ as Lord of creation and Head of the Church. Actions that detract from the uniqueness and centrality of Christ are against the faith.
ANALYSIS
I wish to examine the third and fourth chapters of Colossians by backing up to the second chapter. It is apparent that the saints in Colossae suffered from a confused attempt to follow a fusion of Greek philosophy (Col. 2:1-10), Jewish legalism (Col. 2:11-17), Oriental mysticism (Col. 2:18-19) and asceticism (Col. 2:20-23). Paul counters these distractions from the true Faith by reminding the Chosen of Christ’s cosmic and central significance as Lord of creation and Head of the Church (Col. 1:15-23). Rather than seeking to accommodate earlier teachings with the knowledge of faith derived from God’s grace, those in Colossae (and by extension the faithful today) should aspire to emulate the New Man (Rom. 6:8). Through experience (i.e. works), we should become in this world what grace will make manifest in the next. This is our calling, our duty and our privilege (James 2:17 and Ephesians 2:10).
Through the Scriptures, various writers instruct the faithful regarding this timely salvation (derived from eternal salvation through God’s grace). Paul organizes the characteristics of the calling of the risen with Christ into five groups: everyday life, home life, servant-master relations, prayer, and personal testimony.
- Everyday life (Col. 3:5-17): In addition to the lists of actions and attributes to emulate and avoid, pay particular attention to Col. 3:6-7. We have all fallen prey to actions consistent with the old nature (walking in the flesh), but God’s wrath is not visited on His children due to the actions themselves, rather because these actions demonstrate disobedience. God knows we are weak, but faith gives us knowledge of right (emulating Christ) and wrong (disobeying Christ), and the strength to act on that knowledge. Continual renewing of the New Man is necessary due to our dual natures of flesh and spirit (Col. 3:10). Colossians 3:11 reminds us again distinctions of nationalities, previous religions or social status are transcended through Christ. Lastly, Colossians 3:16-17 makes clear a misconception of many Christians who commit actions in the name of Christ that are not of Christ. Before acting in the name of Christ in word or deed (Col. 3:17), we should “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Col. 3:16). Before committing an action or making a statement, ask if this is truly a good act before labeling it with the name of the Prince of Peace.
- Home life (Col. 3:18-21): In today’s modern society, few scriptural passages have resulted in more strife from confusion as these four verses and their similar passages in Ephesians (Eph. 5:22-30 and 6:1-4). I firmly believe a healthy home life is based on love supported by wisdom and forgiveness. Wives should submit themselves to their husbands out of love, as we love Christ. Husbands should love their wives and children obey their parents, emulating our love of Christ. However, wisdom teaches us that, unlike Christ, parents (husbands and wives) and children make mistakes that carry consequences. Forgiveness restores harmony and love.
- Servant-Master Relations (Col. 3:22-4:1): In this world, no one is truly independent; we all have earthly masters. John Wayne’s character in the movie McLintock may own half of the county, but he works for everyone that walks into a butcher’s shop when they purchase his cattle. This is even more apparent in today’s interconnected society. These verses reinforce the distinction of service to masters of the flesh (Matt. 22:15-22) and our heavenly Master; we are to obey both as though watched, but temper our service to earthly masters with our commitment to God. By serving these earthly masters sincerely and honestly, we bring honor and glory to our heavenly Master. These verses also show worldly titles and positions are not protection from God’s wrath; all who wrong others will have that wrong visited upon themselves. This section ends with masters charged to treat their servants justly, as we all are responsible to the true Master.
- Prayer (Col. 4:2-4): I once saw a t-shirt with the phrase “Prayer – the ultimate wireless connection.” Other scripture instructs us to pray for a variety of reasons, including strength, comfort and instruction. In Colossians, Paul exhorts us to continue in prayer with alertness and thanksgiving; alertness lest the act of prayer become common place and thanksgiving that the sacrifice of Christ makes our direct connection to God real. Through prayer, we can receive enlightenment into the mystery of Christ. These experiences prepare the faithful for the last group.
- Personal Testimony (Col. 4:5-6): All of mankind witnesses/testifies to his or her condition through actions and words. Paul reminds us to “walk in wisdom” derived from God, the pure source of true wisdom. We are also instructed to rely on grace and season our words with salt. Salt is a traditional preservative, so our words should not be stale or rotten but nourish the souls of those we encounter. Christians are collectively the living body of Christ. With the money spent on cosmetics and clothing to make our flesh acceptable and pleasant, how can we indulge in actions and words that tarnish the living body of Christ?
The letter ends with personal remarks by Paul to the congregation. Rather than dismiss these comments as irrelevant to all except those at Colossae, substitute the names recorded with the names of family and friends. In this way, we can receive a sense of the humanity of the early Church. They loved and laughed, prayed for wisdom and received correction through instruction as necessary. We are connected to Colossae despite an almost 2000 year gap in that we all seek those things which are above.
Grace be with you, my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Published: 2010-10-31 by KW