Somewhere between 30 and 40% of the books of Ephesians and Colossians are duplicate verses if not ideas. It seems likely that Paul wrote both these letters from the prison in Rome when he was awaiting trial before Nero, recorded at the end of Acts. If Ephesians focuses on the “church of Christ,” then we might say that Colossians focuses on the “Christ of the Church.”
Meditate with me, if you will, on the first fourteen verses.
There are two main ideas in this paragraph, noted by the primary verbs, both of which have to do with prayer. “We give thanks to the Father, praying for you all” (ver. 3) and “We do not cease praying and asking for you all” (ver. 9). The rest of the text is subsumed under these two primary verbs.
As Paul and Timothy (1:1) pray for the saints in Colossae (ver. 2), they imply that Jesus motivates their (our) love for all the saints. Notice in verses 3-4 that Paul mentions the three primary virtues: faith, love, and hope. It is Christ who “lays up” or “reserves” for us our hope in heaven. He is the one who helps us to bear fruit and grow (fulfilling the command God gave to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28). Jesus is the one who provides us knowledge of God’s will and gives us the wisdom and spiritual understanding we need to grow.
As we continue, we note that Jesus is the one who enables our good work. The verb “strengthened” (ver. 11) is related to (the verbal form of) the word “power.” His glorious might is what enables us to be steadfast (endure) and to be patient! Jesus gives us joy and mediates our thanksgiving to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints.
Finally, Jesus is the one who redeems us, which Paul defines in this text as providing forgiveness of sins.
Oh, the supremacy of Jesus Christ! No wonder Paul calls on us to walk in a manner worthy of Him and please Him in every respect (ver. 10).
Paul Holland
