Paul reminds me of a doting grandfather or big brother. He seems to be struggling in prayer for the newfound churches. Remember, Paul has not met the members of the church in Colossae. He knows them through the reports of Epaphras who had possibly come to faith through Paul. He was his protégé. Epaphras in turn proclaimed the gospel to the pagans of Colossae. Paul seems to have a love for this church as one of his offspring churches. The Greek word used for “struggling” in verse 1 is one of continual pressing forward, constant straining, much like an Olympic athlete’s training.
Colossians - Lesson 2
January 25, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 2:1–10
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Colossians & Philemon
Colossians/Philemon - Lesson 8
March 7, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 4:7–18, Philemon
Paul is closing his letter to the church at Colossae. However, there is another letter called the sister epistle to Colossians. It is the letter to Philemon. They are sisters because they are connected and to separate them is to miss part of the important message Paul is trying to teach his churches.
Colossians - Lesson 7
February 29, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 3:18–25, Colossians 4:1–6
The last part of Colossians deals with our interpersonal relationships. Colossians 3:1-4 speaks to where our hearts and minds need to be focused. Verses 5-11 speak to how we are to behave as Christ’s own. Verses 12-17 speak of how we are to relate to our fellow believers. In verse 18, Paul addresses our interpersonal relationships and how our faith should guide us.
Colossians - Lesson 6
February 22, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 3:12–17
Paul emphasizes that our salvation is secure. We are raised with Christ, not only in the future at His second coming when our resurrected bodies unite with Jesus for our eternal home, or at death when Jesus comes to take us to heaven, but also in our life today. We are already “new creations”, “born again” by God’s grace when we come to faith in Jesus. Now we need to apply that to our everyday lives.