Jesus Christ is “the firstborn over all creation” in Colossians 1:15 and in the beginning, in Genesis 1:31–2:1 “And God saw everything that he had made and, behold, it was very good”. But sin entered in and the world changed. So, Jesus Christ came bringing us the gospel good news in Colossians 1:19–20 (LEB) “because he was well pleased for all the fullness to dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by making peace through the blood of his cross, through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven”. When Jesus Christ came, the power of God opened for us thy way to be Colossians 1:13 “who has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves”.
The Hope Reserved for You in Heaven
Colossians 1:1–8
The message of the gospel is received and produces love in those that believe in
Colossians 1:4 (LEB) “since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints”
This message of “the word of truth, the gospel” in Colossians 1:5b describes “the grace of God in truth” in Colossians 1:6b and it comes to us through the mouth, by the preaching and teaching of another person, a believer, just as it did for them in
Colossians 1:7 (LEB) “just as you learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow slave who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf”
This message of the gospel invites us to “faith in Christ Jesus” in Colossians 1:4 and if we accept, it produces hope in us because it assures of a place in heaven in
Colossians 1:5 (LEB) “because of the hope reserved for you in heaven, which you have heard about beforehand in the word of truth, the gospel”
And, even though there are those that refuse, this gospel that has come is producing sons and daughters of God in
Colossians 1:6 (LEB) “that has come to you, just as also in all the world it is bearing fruit and increasing, just as also among you from the day you heard about and understood the grace of God in truth”
Live in a Manner Worthy of the Lord
Colossians 1:9–14
We once were in darkness, unaware of the goodness of God but then Jesus Christ came and the gospel was presented to us in
2 Corinthians 4:6 (LEB) ‘For God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” is the one who has shined in our hearts for the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ”.
From that beginning, our “enlightenment”, the revelation of the work of Jesus Christ that reconciles us to God, from that beginning now Paul prays for them to have full knowledge of God’s plans and purposes and our part which includes God’s perfect will for our lives in
Colossians 1:9–11 (LEB) “Because of this also we, from the day we heard about it, did not cease praying for you, and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual insight, 10 so that you may live in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good deed and increasing in the knowledge of God”
In God’s plan, he has transferred us into his kingdom in
Colossians 1:13 “who has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves”
He has also empowered us to be fruitful in that kingdom by giving us his Holy Spirit and in
Colossians 1:11 “enabled with all power, according to his glorious might, for all steadfastness and patience with joy”.
The Firstborn Over All Creation
Colossians 1:15–23
When we were born into this world, we were alienated from God and because this world is our first context and our experience, many think that this world is the way God created it to be. But in our time, in this age, that isn’t true. In the beginning, it was the way he wanted it in
Genesis 1:31–2:1 “And God saw everything that he had made and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning, a sixth day. 2:1 And heaven and earth and all their array were finished.”
and in the beginning, Jesus Christ was there as “the firstborn over all creation” in Colossians 1:15 and was instrumental in the creation and the very existence of creation in
Colossians 1:16–17 (LEB) “because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all things were created through him and for him, 17 and he himself is before all things, and in him all things are held together”
But sin entered in. The curse entered in
Genesis 3:14–15 (LEB) “Then Yahweh God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you will be cursed more than any domesticated animal and more than any wild animal. On your belly you shall go and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. 15 And I will put hostility between you and between the woman, and between your offspring and between her offspring; he will strike you on the head, and you will strike him on the heel.”
From this action, the serpent became the god of this world and “The serpent is a divine enemy of God … this text contains a prophecy indicating that animosity and spiritual war will ensue between the serpent (nachash in Hebrew) and humanity … In the nt, the offspring of the devil are equated with evildoers who oppose God’s will and the Messiah, Jesus (Rev 12:9; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8, 12, 23)”1. Because of this curse, this world as we know it has sickness and disease and death and biting and devouring and will continue to have until Jesus returns. This is the work Jesus came to do, free us from the curse, the dominion of the serpent, the devil and reconcile us to God in
Colossians 1:19–20 (LEB) “because he was well pleased for all the fullness to dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by making peace through the blood of his cross, through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven”.
The Glorious Wealth of This Mystery
Colossians 1:24–29
The Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge
Colossians 2:1–5
Study Verses
- Colossians 1:1–8 The Hope Reserved for You in Heaven
- Colossians 1:9–14 Live in a Manner Worthy of the Lord
- Colossians 1:15–23 The Firstborn Over All Creation
Today’s Reading
- Colossians 1:1-29
- Colossians 2:1-5
References
- 1. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ge 3:15). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
