COLOSSIANS – Lesson 2
Read:
Colossians 1: 1-23
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7 as ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 25 whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Learn:
who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Colossians 1:15-16
Study
1. What is Paul constantly doing since he heard of the Colossian’s faith in Christ, love for the saints, and hope of heaven? verse 9
‘For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;’ Colossians 1:9
2. Use the following verses to explain that a constant life of prayer is what God desires from all Christians and not only someone such as the apostle Paul.
‘above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 ‘And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;’ Ephesians 6:16-18
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
3. What is Paul asking the Lord for on behalf of the Colossian Christians in verse 9?
‘For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;’ Colossians 1:9
4. The following Scriptures give a partial list of what the will of God is:
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.’ I Timothy 2:3,4
‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;’ Ephesians 5:18
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; I Thessalonians 4:3,4
‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning’ I Thessalonians 5:18
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, or supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: I Peter 2:13-15
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. I Peter 2:19, 20
5. Once a believer begins to have the knowledge of what the will of God is, what is necessary in order for spiritual growth to occur?
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:22-25
6. According to verse 10a, what will be the outcome of knowing God’s will in wisdom and spiritual understanding? that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:10
7. What is to be our aim as Christians? v 10b
that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:10
NOTE: To be fruitful in every good work: not in some only, which are more easy, and suitable, and safe, but in all, and every instance of them. There must be a regular uniform regard to do all the will of God. 1
8. The more that we do God’s will, the more we will increase in the
knowledge of God
9. What does John 7:17 tell us?
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John 7:17
10. What gives us comfort as we determine to do God’s will? v 11
strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Colossians 1:11
11. How is God’s strength for service and strength to overcome the wicked one brought to us?
that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Ephesians 3:16
12. How does the Spirit convey the strength that he brings us?
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God Ephesians 6:17b
13. What does the Lord require on our part so that we will receive all the strength that we need to accomplish his will? praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Corinthians 12:8, 9
14. What three things are the result of God’s strength in our lives to meet every trouble that we face verse 11? strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Colossians 1:11
15. As believers we are always to be giving thanks to our heavenly Father. What are five reasons for thanksgiving?
v 12c
v 13a
v 13b
v 14a
v 14b
giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians 1:12-14
1 Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Moody Publishers. pg. 750 Edited By: Charles F. Pfeiffer, Everett F. Harrison. By: Charles F. Pfeiffer & Everett F. Harrison, eds. 1962.