Jeff Englund

February 21, 2025February 21, 2025

Colossians 3:11 – A Place Called “Here”

Picture of a mirror , two butterflies, and a caterpillar.

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Summary: There is a place that is not a place where God wants us to be. When we get there, we discover that our differences are not what we thought they were.

There is a place where hate and division do not exist. It is not a physical place, although you might say the place Paul is talking about is in the physical place we live.

Where is this place within a place?

February 20, 2025February 20, 2025

Colossians 3:10b – Strange Words

A picture of the words "renewed, knowledge, image, and Creator" floating against a background of space.

… which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Summary: Paul’s words in this passage offer a tantalizing glimpse into the revelation he received about Jesus Christ and his Gospel.

This passage is one of the “Top Ten” most interesting passages in Colossians. The phrase “renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” suggests various meanings that stir the imagination.

What does Paul mean?

February 19, 2025February 19, 2025

Colossians 3:10a – A Wedding Story

Image shows a banquet table for a wedding reception.

… and have put on the new self …

Summary: Putting on a “new self” is a bit vague until we remember why it is important and what God has provided for us to put on.

Having taken off the old self, we need something else to put on, but what?

Have you ever stood in front of your closet wondering what to put on? Maybe you are getting ready for a special event like a wedding or a party. Perhaps you have been invited to be at a formal dinner and meet heads of state. Each of these situations requires a different type of attire. But what do you wear for an afternoon with God?

February 18, 2025February 18, 2025

Colossians 3:9b – Choosing Jesus

Picture of a man in bed thinking about the cross...

… since you have taken off your old self with its practices …

Summary: Understanding Paul’s words sometimes forces us to try and see things from God’s perspective.

Being the person I am, the brain God gave me tends to dwell on the details. Maybe “obsess” would be a better word. In this passage, Paul writes that we have “taken off [our] old self.” This isn’t the first time he has referred to this.

Just a few verses ago, he wrote, “Since you died with Christ …” (Col 2:20), which he followed up with “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ …” (Col 3:1).

February 17, 2025February 17, 2025

Colossians 3:9b – White Lies

Do not lie to each other …

Summary: Wondering about white lies leads us to wonder about the nature of truth as well.

The “Food for Thought” question at the end of the last meditation was, “Are ‘white lies’ okay in church?” This sparked comments that raised more questions.

The consensus in the comments was that we shouldn’t tell “white lies.” Lies are the province of the devil, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Ergo, Christians should avoid lies of any kind. I agree, but what does that mean?

February 15, 2025February 17, 2025

Colossians 3:9a – A Flea Called “Deception”

A picture of a man in a dog suit sitting in church.

Do not lie to each other …

Summary: Deception is the art of obscuring the truth. It is also the hallmark of Satan (John 8:44). There is no place for deception in the Body of Christ.

Isn’t it interesting that Paul needed to tell the Colossians that they shouldn’t lie to each other?

Just because we go to church doesn’t mean we leave the “tent” of our bodies at home (2 Peter 1:13). All the things about our “earthly nature” that Paul has been talking about go with us. When we walk through the church doors on Sunday morning, our spiritual fleas of “anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language” still cling to our flesh.

February 14, 2025February 14, 2025

Colossians 3:8f – Words of War

Picture of a toy cannon with the words "Filthy Language" on the side, surrounded by toy soldiers.

[… rid yourselves of all such things] … and filthy language from your lips.

Summary: Words can be weapons. Paul points out that the tools of slander are words that cause real hurt.

If your idea of “filthy language” is anything that gets **BLEEPED** out on TV, you are on the right track. Strong’s Concordance calls this kind of language “vile conversation.” “But wait!” (As they say on TV), “There’s more!!”

The Greek word Paul used has roots. They are made up of root words that mean “shameful” (G153) and to “disfigure” or be “ashamed.”

February 13, 2025February 13, 2025

Colossians 3:8e – Doom Loop

Hand holding a lighted wooden match with a dark woods in the background.

[… rid yourselves of] … slander …

Summary: By following each step in Paul’s thinking, we discover that he has something very specific in mind.

Let’s go back and review the whole verse so far:

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander …”

Paul is painting a portrait of a slave to SELF. When we put our self-interest above God and others, we will always find things that offend us. The rest of the world is only interested in pleasing themselves, so since my SELF is most important (to me), it is very irritating when other people do not share my concern for my own happiness.

February 12, 2025February 12, 2025

Colossians 3:8d – The Opposite of Good

Picture of a man with a devil on his shoulder whispering in his ear.

[… rid yourselves of] … malice …

Summary: Words have meanings, and meanings are important. “Malice” may not be a word we use very often anymore, but it is a good word that describes a very common condition.

One of the things Paul encourages us to get rid of is “malice.” Malice is a great word, but one we don’t often use. The simplest definition I found for it is “the intention or desire to do evil.”* More explicitly, it is a desire to do harm or cause suffering.

Okay … “evil” is a small word, but it carries a big stick. What does “evil” mean?

February 11, 2025February 11, 2025

Colossians 3:8c – Wrath, Rage, and Bugs

Picture of a cartoon bug holding a sign that reads "The End is Near!"

[… rid yourselves of] … rage …

Summary: Seeing ourselves from God’s point of view is a challenge. Especially when trying to understand what it means to be under God’s wrath.

The word Paul used in this sentence is not always translated as “rage.” In fact, about two-thirds of available English translations of the Bible use the word “wrath” instead. Is there a difference?

From a human point of view, there may not be much difference. From God’s point of view, there is a difference.