CELEBRATING OUR TRUE FAITH AND HERITAGE IN CHRIST: LESSONS IN THE STUDY OF COLOSSIANS 1:1-8
By Ezekiel Kimosop
INTRODUCTION
Today we embark on our first lesson in the study of the Letter of Colossians.
This letter opens with Paul's apostolic salutation in Colossians 1:1-2.
UNDERSTANDING TIMOTHY
Notice that the letter was written by apostle Paul in the presence of Timothy, whose mention here is significant.
Timothy was one of the key companions of Paul and his key emissary or envoy to the Gentile churches in Asia Minor (cf. 1Thess. 3:6-7).
Paul had mentored Timothy in ministry right from the moment he picked him up in Lystra and Derbe (Acts 16:1-3) and he rose to serve as Paul's principal assistant.
Early Church sources say that Timothy later served as Bishop of Ephesus after Paul's death.
The two letters of 1 & 2 Timothy reveal the spiritual intimacy and rich tradition that Paul shared with Timothy. They were both raised under strong Judaism and were well learned in the Hebrew Scriptures. Unlike Paul who was Jewish, Timothy was of dual heritage: his mother was Jewish and his father Greek.
His grandmother Lois was instrumental in shaping his spiritual worldview and so did his mother Eunice.
Paul completed Timothy's mentorship through practical field ministry. He was truly Timothy's spiritual father in Christ.
Paul was forced to circumcise Timothy to avoid controversy in his missionary work among the Jews which required them to enter into Jewish synagogues.
Lois, Eunice and Timothy were probably Paul's converts during his first missionary journey and they grew in the faith.
Timothy is identified in Acts 16:1 as "a certain disciple", leaving no doubt that he had earlier been converted to Christ .
The purpose of Timothy's visit to Rome is not specifically revealed in the Letter to the Colossians but we later learn from Colossians 4 that he was among a larger team of Paul's ministers and associates who Paul probably summoned for an apostolic address.
It is also possible that Timothy had gone to report to Paul about the status of the churches in the region of Ephesus and to encourage him because of his imprisonment.
Who would not be touched by a brother or sister who seeks our comfort during our moments of grieve and pain?
If there are moments that people will never forget, it is those moments they needed someone to be there beside them and someone stood close to them.
The fact that Timothy is here introduced as a brother affirms his shared fellowship in Christ with Paul and other believers.
All believers irrespective spiritual offices or positions in the church are primarily brothers and sisters in Christ. We all have a shared fellowship that should be cherished.
In other Letters by Paul, Timothy is introduced as "a beloved and faithful son in the Lord" "(1 Cor. 4:17), "a true son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:1), and "a beloved son" (2 Timothy 1:2).
These adjectives underscore and illustrate not only Paul's mentorship of Timothy but his confidence in the men he had raised in ministry.
OTHER MINISTERS PRESENT WITH PAUL
Note further that there were several other companions of Paul who were present in Rome at the time and who are later mentioned in Colossians 4:7-15.
Notable among these are Tychicus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke and Demas.
This possibly confirms that Timothy was first among equals given his special mention in the salutation address.
THE OUTSTANDING FAITH OF THE COLOSSIANS
After the salutation in Colossians 1:1-2, Paul moves on to commend the church of Colosse for their vibrant faith in Christ and their love for all the saints Christ.
Notice that Paul's immediate reaction to the good report was to give thanks to God and pray for the Colossians!
Our prayers should foremost consist of thanksgiving for what the Lord has done for us. Never overlook the "usual things" of life that we often take for granted.
If ever we cannot recall any specific item for which to thank God for, why not even thank him for the hope of glory that we share in Christ,?
What about His daily sustenance, His divine peace that we enjoy, our good health, the immeasurable grace in His divine providence?....
Let us now return to Colossians 1:4 which spoke of their love for "all the saints."
Paul does not qualify what exactly he meant here. Could he be referring to their love for the saints at Colosse or even those beyond?
It is most probable that Paul had both contexts in mind.
True love for God's people always oozes beyond our immediate confines, touching the people of God as well as the lost who are far beyond.
The Colossians probably stretched their love beyond Colosse. They could have reached out to other congregations. This stood them out as a church worthy of apostolic commendation.
One of the marks of a vibrant church community is their impact on their immediate community of context.
Someone said that people don't care about our testimony until they are convinced that we truly care for them in their circumstances of need.
Genuine and practical faith in a Christian community livens the society around them and draws people to Christ (cf. 1 Peter 3:1-7).
In Colossians 1:6, Paul recognizes that the ministry effort among the Colossians was never in vain. There were probably two sets of outreach missions to Colosse in the past.
The first was by Paul's companions which is remotely mentioned in Acts 19:10.
Paul held a ministry camp in Ephesus during his two year stay and there was a powerful explosion of the word of God that stretched out to the entire region of Asia Minor.
Bible scholars believe that Epaphras may have been among those who were converted at this time by Paul and that he later took the gospel to his home region of Colosse where he founded the church.
There is further evidence from the Bible that Paul may have previously lodged with Philemon at Colosse during one of his missionary journeys and may have ministered in Colosse (see Philemon 1:22).
Now back to Colossians 1:5-6, Paul speaks of "the hope which is laid up for you in heaven".
This is the spiritual heritage that we have in Christ and which must be proclaimed by any faithful Christian community (see Titus 2:11-14).
Paul attributes this hope to the spiritual transformation that was shaping out among the Colossians and which was impacting other regions where the gospel was being preached. It had born fruit!
The lesson here is that the gospel effort will always result in some spiritual impact, however insignificant it may appear to be at the beginning.
What we witness today in a mature Christian community is the aggregate effort of several ministry workers at different times.
It is primarily the working of God through various vessels of honor (2 Timothy 2:15-21).
Paul admonished the Corinthians for their pride and divisiveness and told them that even though he founded the church in Corinth and Apollos and other ministers later served there, only God could cause the ministry to grow.
Paul declares in 1Corinthians 3:6: "I planted, Apollos watered but God the increase."
The story is told of how Dr David Livingstone, the great missionary and explorer, once found an old lady in southern Africa who had been evangelized decades before but who did not receive any discipleship teaching.
The old lady was glowing in faith and remained true to the truths she had heard despite her difficult circumstances.
We should never ignore the opportunity to present the gospel message to people even if they are stubborn. It will, in God's time, germinate in their hearts and grow into a large spiritual canopy!
EPAPHRAS THE FAITHFUL MINISTER
Our final Scripture for today and which concludes our passage is Colossians 1:7-8, focuses on Epaphras.
Paul mentions Epaphras as one of the ministers who faithfully taught the Colossians the way of Christ and had also delivered a good report to Paul on their spiritual standing.
Again, Paul employs beautiful adjectives to describe Epaphras as a "our dear fellow servant who is a faithful minister of Christ."
The Bible declares that those who serve God faithfully in teaching the word of God with dedication are worthy of double honor (cf. 1 Timothy 5:17).
However, ministers should not be looking for recognition or acclaim for their ministry effort.
They should instead stay focused on serving God and rest assured that our Father in heaven will reward our diligence (Hebrews 6 :10-12).
CONCLUSION
This passage has exposed to us powerful spiritual truths regarding the fellowship and practical ministry work of a true Christian community that walks in biblical truth.
Such works of faith and love for God's people will never goes unnoticed by God.
Secondly, we learn that the gospel effort is not a one man show. It is the aggregate result of the combined efforts of various actors in the Christian community; from its leaders to the rank and file.
Thirdly, those who serve with diligence should be commended by the church leadership so that they may set practical examples for others to emulate.
Finally, we learn that when our time to depart this world comes, we shall access our spiritual heritage which God has laid up for us in heaven.
Our faith and service and hope in Christ is never in vain.
In our next study we shall examine the passage of Colossians 1:9-15 which deals with proper christology.
Shalom
© Ezekiel Kimosop 2017
21st June 2017
For more articles by this writer visit www.ezekielkimosop.blogspot.com
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