The Colossian Believers’ Reception of the Transforming Power of the Gospel Colossians 1:1-14 Part I
As stated in our Introductory Notes, the Epistle of Colossians is one of Paul’s prison epistles. The Epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, Philemon and Colossians were written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome in A.D. 61. It was during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:10, 26) that the gospel had made its way outward to Colosse, a city located on the Lycus River in the Roman province of Asia. The church that came from this effort was primarily Gentile (Colossians 1:27).
Epaphras, who was instrumental in taking the gospel to the Colossians, had visited Paul and brought news of the church (Colossians 1:7-8). Some of the news was disturbing, for false teaching was threatening the faith of believers. So to combat this issue, Paul presented some sound teaching, especially about the Person and work of Christ. Our text, Colossians 1:1-14, may be outlined as follows: I. The Beneficial Effects of the Gospel in the Lives of the Colossian Believers – Colossians 1:1-8; II. Paul’s Prayer for the Colossian Believers’ Spiritual Growth – Colossians 1:9-14.
- The Beneficial Effects of the Gospel in the Lives of the Colossian Believers – Colossians 1:1-8
Paul, the writer of this grand epistle, introduced himself as “an apostle of Jesus Christ.” Paul employed the word “apostle” to denote one who was commissioned directly by the risen Christ (v. 1). Paul also introduced Timotheus as a companion and brother, although Timotheus was not an apostle. In verse 2, Paul wrote this letter “to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse.” The word “saints” means “set apart ones” and this term refers not just of mature believers, but of all believers. Thank God that we (believers) have been blessed with God’s unmerited favor and have been granted God’s peace as a result of experiencing His grace!
Beginning in verses 3-8, Paul began a rather lengthy expressing of offering thanksgiving for God’s awesome work of salvation in the lives of the Colossian believers. Paul assured the believers in verse 3 that whenever he prayed, he would offer words of thanksgiving for them. Paul especially offered thanks for the Colossians’ reception of the gospel (v. 4). Paul had heard of their “faith in Christ Jesus” that was demonstrated in their love to all believers.
The Colossians’ faith and love was also combined with “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven” (v. 5). A believer’s hope includes the return of Christ, the resurrection of the body, and the eternal joy of spending eternity in God’s presence (I John 3:2-3). The Colossian believers received this hope when they accepted the gospel!
In verse 6, the gospel that the believers received had transformed lives all over the world. The gospel was infused with Divine power and made the believers’ lives fruitful. In verse 7, Paul spoke remarkably of Epaphras, calling him his “dear fellow servant” and a “faithful minister of Christ.” It was Epaphras who brought to Paul a report of the Colossian church. Paul also said that Epaphras had informed him of the Colossians’ love in the Spirit (v. 8).
May God Bless!
