Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
Summary: It is easy to dismiss Paul’s words in this passage as a “Christian greeting,” but it is much, much more than that.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:2b – Grace and Peace”Colossians 1:2a – What Epaphras Knew
To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:
Summary: Assuming Paul had never been to Colossae, we are left to wonder how Paul came to write this letter.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:2a – What Epaphras Knew”Colossians 1:1d – Paul’s Spiritual Son
… and Timothy our brother …
Summary: Paul includes Timothy as a co-author of this letter.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:1d – Paul’s Spiritual Son”Colossians 1:1c – When People Listen
… by the will of God,
Summary: It is one thing to claim to be an apostle; it is another to actually be one. Paul was the real deal.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:1c – When People Listen”Colossians 1:1b – The Right Path
… an apostle of Christ Jesus …
Summary: Paul begins by telling us who he is and, more importantly, who he represents.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:1b – The Right Path”Colossians 1:1a – Repetition
Paul …
Summary: Sometimes it seems like we are going over the same ground again and again. The Bible tends to repeat itself. Perhaps the reason for repetition is that we need to hear the message over and over.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:1a – Repetition”Galatians 6:18b – The Last Word
Amen
Summary: The word “amen” affirms the truth of what Paul is saying.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:18b – The Last Word”Galatians 6:18a – Moving the Line
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters.
Summary: As we wrap up our journey through Paul’s letter to the Galatians, it is worth taking a moment to consider where we have been and what we have learned.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:18a – Moving the Line”Galatians 6:17 – Tired Warrior
From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
Summary: As Paul closes his letter to the Galatians, he makes a rather unusual statement. We are left wondering how much we should read into his words.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:17 – Tired Warrior”Galatians 6:16b – God’s Children
— to the Israel of God.
Summary: In today’s passage, Paul drops a clue to his views on the true nature of Israel.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:16b – God’s Children”