Colossians – Page 4 – Three Minute Bible

December 17, 2024December 17, 2024

Colossians 2:8c – Spiritual Dangers

…and the elemental spiritual forces of this world…

Summary: With three simple words the NIV translation of Paul’s letter transports us into the realm of the unknown. As we ponder what Paul means, we find a warning against pagan beliefs.

Whenever I read this passage, I stop and pause when I get to the phrase “elemental spiritual forces.” The wording is very unusual. The idea of “elemental spiritual forces” intrigues me, and I find myself wondering what Paul is talking about.

December 16, 2024December 16, 2024

Colossians 2:8b – A Touchy Subject

… which depends on human tradition …

Summary: This passage continues Paul’s thoughts on protecting the church from “hollow and deceptive philosophy.” The challenging part is trying to figure out what he is talking about.

In this passage, Paul explains a bit more about the “hollow and deceptive” philosophies that he has in mind. Here, he adds that they depend on “human tradition.” Interestingly, the word Paul uses for “tradition” has a particular meaning in Greek.

“Parádosis” is the Greek word for “a precept; specially, the Jewish traditionary law:—ordinance, tradition” (Strong’s G3862). It appears that he was thinking of the Jewish believers who insisted that circumcision was still necessary for salvation (See Galatians 2:12 and Titus 1:10).

December 14, 2024December 15, 2024

Colossians 2:8a – A Can of Worms

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy …

Summary: In this passage Paul cautions believers against teachings and philosophies that distract from the heart of the gospel.

Paul opens up a can of worms with this passage. “Why?” you ask. Because, Dear Reader, someone has to decide what a “hollow and deceptive philosophy” is.

The Bible is generally acknowledged as the principal authoritative document for all of Christianity. Even so, people find things to argue about. Sometimes it feels like the more we have to argue about, the happier we are as Christians!

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024

Colossians 2:7c – What Paul Sees

[continue to live your lives in him]… and overflowing with thankfulness.

Summary: Understanding why Christians should be thankful requires understanding the fundamentals of what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul expects us to be thankful.

This is a theme that comes up often in his writing. In this instance, he connects our life in Christ to thankfulness.

Why?

Why should we be thankful?

December 12, 2024December 13, 2024

Colossians 2:7b – Strong Roots

…strengthened in the faith as you were taught …

Summary: Sometimes it helps to look at other translations when studying a verse. In this passage, the use of the ESV translations sheds new light on the meaning of Paul’s words.

For this section of the text, let’s switch it up a little and look at another translation:

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Notice how the ESV handles Paul’s use of “bebaioō” (Strong’s G950). Instead of saying we should be “strengthened in the faith,” the ESV uses the phrase, “established in the faith.”

December 11, 2024December 12, 2024

Colossians 2:7a – Roots & Fruit

… rooted and built up in him …

Summary: As Paul continues his thought about living our lives in Christ, he leans on metaphors that have a rich history in the Bible.

Paul is writing about the Christian life. He begins by saying, “just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him…” And then he adds, “rooted and built up in him.”

Essentially, Paul is mixing metaphors here. To be “rooted” is a reference to a metaphor used to describe life in Christ as being part of a plant (John 15:1-8). All plants have roots. It is the root that anchors the plant in the soil while at the same time pulling life-giving water and nutrients from the soil.

December 10, 2024December 10, 2024

Colossians 2:6 – Jesus as Lord

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him …

Summary: Accepting Jesus as Lord is important, but Paul challenges us to think about our relationship with Jesus and what it means for our lives.

I love the way Paul writes! His words sound simple and pleasing to the ear, yet when we look at them in detail, there is a vast expanse of meaning behind them.

Take today’s passage, for example:

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him …” (Colossians 2:6)

Paul tells us to live our lives in Jesus “just as you received [him] as Lord.”

What does that mean?

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024

Colossians 2:5c – Good Fruit

…and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Summary: A firm faith in Christ results in good fruit for the Kingdom of God. Jesus is the reason for our faith and the source of everything good.

There is a passage in John that comes to mind as I read Paul’s final words in verse five. In it, Jesus says:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

In this quote from the Lord, Jesus explains how faith works. If this were “Three Second Bible” instead of “Three Minute Bible,” I would stop here. But it’s not. So, in the remaining two minutes and fifty-seven seconds, let’s take a closer look at what Jesus says.

December 7, 2024December 8, 2024

Colossians 2:5b – Pleasing Jesus

… and delight to see how disciplined you are …

Summary: Words often can be used in more than one way. The word “discipline” is one of those words. Paul is not thinking of external discipline, but the kind that flows naturally from a loving heart.

One definition of the word “disciplined” might be “Doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done.” That is a rather gentle definition and one that Paul might have liked. Another definition he might have liked is that being disciplined is like “knowing your place.”

When people of faith are disciplined, they work together without complaint. Each person is content, knowing that they are part of the body of Christ, and following the Spirit’s lead. The “feet” do not wish they were a “hand,” and the “hands” do not complain because they are not “eyes” (1 Corinthians 12:12-26).

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024

Colossians 2:5a – Ghost Story

For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit…

Summary: When we delve into the spiritual realm, it is hard to fully grasp what is going on. Paul explains why in 1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV) when he says, “For now we see through a glass, darkly…”

Do you believe in spirits?

As kids, many of us were ridiculed if we admitted we believed in “ghosts.” Ridicule is a powerful social tool. It shames us for being afraid to express thoughts the “group” doesn’t want to hear.

Whether you see them or not, the problem with “ghosts” is that they are, in fact, spirits. Admitting to the reality of spirits is an important step toward believing in God because, after all, God is Spirit (John 4:24).