As Paul closes this letter he turns attention from the false teachers to the true gospel and says in Colossians 3:1–2 “seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things on earth”. He tells them to “put on the new man” becoming more like Christ. Then to be actively engaged, yes in living the pure and kind Christian example, but also devoted, seeking God’s direction in prayer as in Colossians 4:3 “that God may open for us a door of the message, to speak the mystery of Christ”. And finally, that we understand the opposition to the gospel and be prepared to face it, as Paul said, “remember my imprisonment”.
Christ is Seated at the Right Hand of God
Colossians 3:1–4
After exposing the false teachers, Paul turns to the one true message, Jesus Christ and tells them to “set your mind on the things above” in
Colossians 3:1–2 Therefore, if you have been raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things on earth.
Put On the New Man
Colossians 3:5–11
For us as Christians, there is a new way of life and in
Colossians 3:10–11 and have put on the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all, and in all.
This new man is becoming more and more like Jesus Christ as it says in
Ephesians 4:13 until we all reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to a measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ,
But fist, we must, in Colossians 3:9 “have taken off the old man together with his deeds”. This is the old “earthly” way of life and Paul says in
Colossians 3:5–6 Therefore put to death what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustful passion, evil desire, and greediness, which is idolatry, 6 because of which the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
Few today are willing to preach this part of the gospel message. If we are not willing to accept Christ and “put to death what is earthly”, only destruction awaits. There is no other answer, no excuse or reason we can offer when we stand before God to give an account of our life.
Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly
Colossians 3:12–17
Paul admonishes in Colossians 3:12 “put on affection, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, …”. Then in Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly …”. We are to be kind, loving, forgiving, teaching and thankful because these things are are good and pure and come from the heart of God.
From the Lord You Will Receive the Reward
Colossians 3:18–4:1
This section is often difficult because not everyone around us is Christian and they don’t respond with the love and kindness we expect and even deserve. But Paul says, “be subject”, “do not be embittered”, “do not provoke”, “obey … with sincerity of heart”.
Colossians 3:23–24 Whatever you do, accomplish it from the soul, as to the Lord, and not to people, 24 because you know that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ.
Speak the Mystery of Christ
Colossians 4:2–6
Paul says, in Colossians 4:2 “be devoted to prayer” as he is describing the qualities of the Christian life. He had said we “have put on the new man” in Colossians 3:10 and there is an outward action that we learn here. Paul is not just saying that we should pray in secret, although much of our prayer occurs (see Matthew 6:6). This is active prayer, “keeping alert”, and when we understand how God had directed Paul in his ministry, his request in Colossians 4:3 “that God may open for us a door of the message, to speak the mystery of Christ” is all the more imperative. This prayer that Paul describes is not a general “it would be nice if people heard the gospel” request. Paul is asking for specific, right now, when and where and how leading by the Holy Spirit as he had experienced in
Acts 16:6 And they traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia.
We might say, but shouldn’t I always be preaching the gospel wherever I am? And, yes, there may be an opportunity wherever you are, but there also seem to be times and seasons and places where people are ready to receive. This is what happened with Paul in
Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul during the night: a certain Macedonian man was standing there and imploring him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”
Then later, Paul continued his stay even though there was opposition in
1 Corinthians 16:8–9 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a great and effective door has opened for me, and there are many opponents.
Fellow Workers for the Kingdom of God
Colossians 4:7–17
Paul names those that are working with him and this is particularly important because there have been false teachers, Judaizing Christians, those of the circumcision that have been introducing different doctrine. Paul was clear to endorse them in
Colossians 4:11 “These are the only ones who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God from the circumcision, who have been a comfort to me”.
Remember My Imprisonment
Colossians 4:18
We often think that if we are in the middle of God’s will for our lives, everything will be perfect. But we are in the world and opposition comes when we preach the gospel. Jesus said in
John 16:33 I have said these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction, but have courage! I have conquered the world.”
Paul described this in his life in
Colossians 1:24-29 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings on behalf of you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking of the afflictions of Christ, on behalf of his body which is the church …”
And for us, there is this ongoing opposition that we face to deliver the gospel to the world which is also described as “The misery of persecuted Christians (Acts 11:19) (which) was seen in the early Church in connection with the afflictions of the pious of the old covenant (cf. Acts 7:10; Heb 11:37) and thus as properly belonging to the Christian life (Acts 14:22; cf. E. Haenchen, Acts [Eng. tr., 1971] ad loc.; Heb 10:33)”.1
Study Verses
- Colossians 3:5–11 Put On the New Man
- Colossians 4:2–6 Speak the Mystery of Christ
- Colossians 4:18 Remember My Imprisonment
Today’s Reading
- Colossians 3:1-25
- Colossians 4:1-18
References
- 1. Balz, H. R., & Schneider, G. (1990–). Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 152). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans.