The Apostle Paul’s intent in writing to the Church at Colossae, as is in all his other epistles, is clear from start to finish. Paul had heard that false teachers were trying to influence the Church with strange teachings that were contrary to the gospel and was therefore keen to deal with the problem plainly and effectively. Though Paul had never been to Colossae in his missionary journeys, (it was Epaphras, a fellow-servant of Christ, who had helped establish the Church there); word of the danger that had come upon the Church had no doubt troubled Paul and Epaphras, who were praying constantly for them. It is believed that Paul was in prison at the time of writing this epistle and so sends Tychicus and Onesimus with two letters, one to Colossae and the other to neighbouring Laodicea, appealing to them with love and concern to stay on guard against those who were trying to take them captive through philosophy and empty deception.
Throughout the letter, Paul’s argument is plain. Salvation is through Christ and Christ alone. He then sets off onto what can easily be described as the loftiest exposition of the incomparable Christ to bring home the glory and profundity on which their faith (and ours) stood. Glimpses of the glory of the eternal Word is revealed to us throughout scripture, especially in John’s gospel; but here is a treasure trove of the glory of the eternal Christ made plain and clear in the most eloquent and powerful way; leaving the Colossians (and us) no shadow of doubt on the greatness of our hope and the glory of the mystery of God.
From the very start, in verses 13 and 14, Paul makes it clear that our rescue from the domain of darkness and the subsequent transfer to the kingdom of God’s beloved Son is because of the redemption and forgiveness of sins that we have in Yeshua. Beginning from there, he then takes off into verses that we are all too familiar with and is there in scripture for all to read. Since this is not a commentary, I resist the urge to go through each verse, but focus instead on the central theme and the end result that God wants to teach us.
There was a verse that until recently escaped my attention. Yet as I read through this writing more closely, it struck me as confusing. Paul states, “He (that is Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Col. 1:15). The term “firstborn of all creation” puzzled me. How can the Son of God; the second person of the Holy Trinity; the eternal One; the first and the last; the beginning and the end; be the firstborn of creation? We know that Yeshua is the firstborn from the dead, but firstborn of creation? The phrase “firstborn of creation” implies that he was the first to be created. Yet we know that that is not the case. He is the Word from the beginning, the Word with God and the Word, God. We know that all things came into being through Him and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. All things, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. Why then did Paul use the term, “firstborn”? I wondered greatly and not being a ‘go-to-first’ fan of commentaries, I looked for clues in multiple translations. The Amplified Bible brought me the answer; for it said, “…The firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.” This now made sense. The eternal Word truly is the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator of all creation.
Another term that I struggled with was the “mystery” of God—a term Paul has repeatedly used in his letters, especially to the Ephesians and Colossians. I knew that it referred to Christ but I just could not pin it to simple words. It was only now that I understood that the “mystery” is explained so lucidly in this letter, yet was hidden from my eyes all this time. What then is the mystery which was hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints? It is something that we, modern-day Christians have heard, and heard so often that its glory and beauty has somehow got lost in the folly of familiarity.
God, the eternal One from whom and through whom all things have come into being, graced this planet, His very creation, by becoming like us. Though He existed as God, He emptied Himself and was made in the likeness of men. This was the first and only time in creation’s history that God walked on earth as man. For convenience, I'd like to call this, mystery number 1.
Through His work on the cross, Yeshua forgave us all our transgressions; cancelled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us by nailing it to the cross; made us alive together with Him; God raising us with Him through faith when He raised our Lord from the dead. This is another glorious truth. Mystery number 2.
Through His work on the cross, Yeshua forgave us all our transgressions; cancelled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us by nailing it to the cross; made us alive together with Him; God raising us with Him through faith when He raised our Lord from the dead. This is another glorious truth. Mystery number 2.
In Yeshua, we have been made a new creation which is being renewed according to the image of our Saviour. Though we were formerly alienated from God and hostile towards His laws, God reconciled us to Himself through the body of Yeshua in order to present us before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach. In Yeshua, the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form and in Him we have been made complete, with the opportunity to achieve spiritual stature through Christ. Here we find mystery number 3.
He is the head over all rule and authority but also the head of His body, the Church. Herein the mystery deepens. Gentiles are made fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise. God affected a partial hardening to Israel so that the Gentiles could come in; and contrary to nature caused the wild olive tree to be grafted into the cultivated olive tree. Another glorious mystery—mystery number 4.
He is the head over all rule and authority but also the head of His body, the Church. Herein the mystery deepens. Gentiles are made fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise. God affected a partial hardening to Israel so that the Gentiles could come in; and contrary to nature caused the wild olive tree to be grafted into the cultivated olive tree. Another glorious mystery—mystery number 4.
The mystery continues. Now having been made fellow citizens with the saints, and a part of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua the Messiah Himself being the corner stone, we are being fitted together with other sanctified stones; growing into a holy temple in the Lord, a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Paul while citing a text from Genesis 2:24 of how the two become one flesh then says, “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:32). “Christ in us, the hope of glory,” is another way Paul speaks of this mystery while writing to the Colossians (Col. 1:27). Is this great or what?—mystery number 5.
The mystery does not end there but says that at the appointed time, “we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…”—the perishable putting on the imperishable and the mortal putting on immortality. There will be the marriage of the Lamb and His bride shall sit with Him on His throne and will reign with Him. Mystery number 6.
The mystery does not end there but says that at the appointed time, “we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…”—the perishable putting on the imperishable and the mortal putting on immortality. There will be the marriage of the Lamb and His bride shall sit with Him on His throne and will reign with Him. Mystery number 6.
Peter said of the above mystery, “the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and inquiry, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you... things into which angels long to look (1Pet. 1:10-12). So great is this mystery, yet we modern-day Christians understand it with our intellect. What we need is revelation to know the greatness of God’s plan for us and the amazing grace with which He is bringing it to pass. It is no wonder that Paul prayed that hearts may be encouraged and strengthened; joined together in love so that understanding would be rich and complete. In this way, they would know the mystery of God; that mystery which is Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
What then was the outcome of Him explaining the glory of Christ and the great mystery to the Colossian believers? This objective too he makes plain.
While he is grateful to God for the love which they had for the saints—and this is because of the hope that is laid up in heaven—they were to continue in the faith, firmly established and steadfast and not moved away from the hope of the gospel. He wanted them to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that they would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increase in the knowledge of God. He wanted that they be strengthened with all power for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience while they joyously gave thanks to the Father who qualified them to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
He warned them of being defrauded by those who made their teaching appear to be one of wisdom but was actually self-made religion and self-abasement; instructions that were in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men. He took that opportunity to tell them that since they were partakers of such a great mystery, they should seek the things which are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of the Father. And what were they to seek for? He urged them to seek for and put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. He asked that they bear with one another; forgive each other and put on love—a term we often do not fully understand. He asked that they would let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts—not fear or anxiety or unbelief—but a peace that results in thankfulness. Finally he urged that the word of Christ would dwell richly in them and that whatever they do, they ought to do with the reverence for the name that has brought them this great grace and salvation. His specific commands to husbands, wives, children, slaves and masters carry the same spirit of instruction that is mentioned above.
What do we gain from this exercise? Plenty and more, I’d say. For one, we understand the great grace that God has lavished upon us through Yeshua the Messiah; and the mercy He has shown us by electing us to enter into such a glorious calling. For another, we are made to understand in no uncertain terms the things that please God. I can close with no better an encouragement than is found in the first two verses of Psalm 119. “Blessed are the undefiled in the way; who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies; who seek Him with the whole heart!” The underlining term is blessed—for to such is granted the fullness of the mystery of the gospel which is found in Christ alone.
