… admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom …
Summary: In this short passage, Paul offers a 30,000-foot view of what wisdom is and where it comes from.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:28b – All Wisdom”Colossians 1:28a – Proclaiming Love
He is the one we proclaim …
Summary: We do a lot of proclaiming, but we don’t always realize that is what we are doing. What we proclaim tells us a lot about ourselves.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:28a – Proclaiming Love”Colossians 1:27c – Holy Hope
… the hope of glory.
Summary: Words are the foundation of language, yet they can be slippery and deceptive. Understanding the context and the intent behind the words helps us understand the message we were intended to receive.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:27c – Holy Hope”Colossians 1:27b – Every Costly Thing
… which is Christ in you …
Summary: As Paul continues his description of the Gospel, he defines the “glorious riches of this mystery” as Jesus Christ.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:27b – Every Costly Thing”Colossians 1:27a – The Short Straw
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery …
Summary: Who is “them?” “Them” are the “Lord’s people.” People like you and me.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:27a – The Short Straw”Colossians 1:26 – The Answer
… the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.
Summary: There are different kinds of mysteries: Some are entertaining and some are troublesome. Real-life mysteries are meant to be solved. For the greatest mystery of all, Jesus is the answer.”.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:26 – The Answer”Colossians 1:25 – Somebody Named Paul
I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—
Summary: The question of Paul’s authority is addressed in this passage. Paul received a commission from God. Discerning the validity of that commission rests with each believer.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:25 – Somebody Named Paul”Colossians 1:24b – The Everyday Believer
… and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
Summary: How should we understand this passage? Sometimes, understanding is hiding around the corner and can only be seen out of the corner of our eye.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:24b – The Everyday Believer”Colossians 1:24a – Decoding Paul
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you…
Summary: Language is a tricky thing. Paul uses the word “I” to describe two different parts of himself.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:24a – Decoding Paul”Colossians 1:23g – Two Kingdoms
… and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Summary: Paul sees himself as a servant which poses the question, “A servant of what?” As we review what Paul has written so far we find clues that help us understand his thinking.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:23g – Two Kingdoms”