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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

CHAPTER ONE:
“FAITHFUL KINGDOM HEIRS”

[“Transplanted Children”]
Key Word: Reconciled
Theme Verse: 12

Colossians 1:1-2 – From… to

CO1:1 Paul – a representative 1 of Christ Jesus according to God’s will – and our brother Timothy 2 –

1	Representative: Or, apostle. That is someone sent as a representative.

2	Timothy: Note other epistles of Paul where Timothy is either the co-writer or secretary.

CO1:2 to the Saints and faithful Christian brothers at Colossae – May you have God 3 our Father’s unmerited charity and serenity.

3	God: As is his custom Paul uses only a dual formula, omitting the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:3-6 – Thanks for Fruitage

CO1:3 Both of us continue to thank God 4 – the Father of our Master Jesus – when we pray for all of you.

4	God: The Greek is TO THEO, or “to The God.” Paul’s favored designation for the Almighty is “The God.”

CO1:4 Our reason is that we have heard of your deep conviction 5 in Christ Jesus, as well as your compassionate affection for all the Saints,

5	Deep conviction: Or, faith. The combination occurs often and these are the two essential elements of the Christian Bible. [Compare notes on 1 John 3:23 in Nazarene Commentary 2000.] See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on faith at Hebrews 11:1 and love at 1 Corinthians 13:5-8.

CO1:5 as well as and also because of the Hope being held in reserve for all of you in the Celestialum. 6 Of course, all of you have already heard about this by means of that truthful message of the Good News. 7

6

Hope laid up for you in the Celestialum: That is, your hope is reserved for you in Heaven. Or, TCN: which awaits its fulfillment in heaven. There is “one hope” for the Church and it is celestial existence in God’s presence. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Ephesians 4:4. [2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Peter 1:4]

7	The Good News: Part and parcel of the Good News or Evangel is the hope of heavenly life. [Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:1]

CO1:6 This Good News has reached all of you just as it has the whole world order of humanity. And it continues to grow and produce fruitage just as it does among all of you from the very first day you heard and comprehended the truthfulness of God’s unmerited charity. CO1:7 You learned about this Good News from our beloved fellow slave Epaphras 8 who is a loyal servant of Christ on our behalf.

8	From Epaphras: Evidently the original missionary who brought the Evangel to them. Some believe this is the shortened form of Epaphroditus. [Colossians 4:12; Philemon 23]

CO1:8 He has let us know about your inspired 9 benevolent empathy.

9

Inspired: Or, spirit, pneuma. The Greek is PNEUMATI and may be “spiritual” here. That is, “spiritual love.” This is the only occurrence of PNEUMA in the letter to the Colossians, the term “Holy Spirit” completely omitted. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on 1 Corinthians 2:16 and Error of the Trinity on the subject of the Spirit or Pneuma.

Colossians 1:9-12 – Prayers for Increased Wisdom

CO1:9 As soon as we heard of this we have not rested in prayer in your behalf. We continue to ask that all of you may be filled with the elevated knowledge 10 of God’s will in total spiritual wisdom and comprehension. 11

10

Filled with elevated knowledge: Or, BAR: continue to come to know God better and better. Paul’s prayer is for an increased EPI-GNOSIN [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1922] which literally means over + know, that is a heightened, knowing or elevated knowledge. [Or, clear knowledge, deeper knowledge.] [Philippians 1:9] This full knowledge here is associated with God’s will or purpose. [Matthew 7:21-23] The result of this is explained in verse 10 – pleasing God. The word may also imply an experience or relationship with an acquaintance.

11

Spiritual wisdom and understanding: Or, KJV: in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; TCN: insight. This heightened knowledge combines with spiritual comprehension and wisdom. This is not an ignorant reaction to God, but one filled with all the human faculties of mind. [Romans 12:2; Proverbs 2:1-7]

CO1:10 So you will conduct yourselves worthily of the Master, 12 completely pleasing him as you continue to produce fruitage in every kind of good work, 13 always increasing your complete and thorough knowledge of The God. 14

12	To lead a life worthy of the Master: Or, MOF: worthy of the Lord. The word “worthy” must not be overlooked. God’s pleasure is not unconditional even though his love is infinite. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Philippians 1:27 and 2 Thessalonians 1:5, 11.

13

Bearing fruit in every good work: “Good work” is attached to this worthiness and a complete knowledge of God’s will results in godly fruitage. [Ephesians 2:10; 1 Timothy 2:10] “Good work(s)” is often associated with charity and human kindness. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Timothy 2:21; 3:17.

14	Thorough knowledge: Knowledge of The God never ceases and never will, as His Being and Nature are infinite. [Ephesians 1:17; 2 Peter 1:2, 8] If EPIGNOSEI here were applied to an intimate relationship, then this also continues to grow and bloom the more one experiences The God.

CO1:11 [Our prayer] is that all of you continue to be strengthened by all the power of His glorious mightiness in order to endure patiently 15 in full satisfaction.

15	Endure patiently: BER: for the cheerful exercise of unlimited patience and perseverance. Endurance is the end result of the knowledge. [Romans 5:3]

CO1:12 We continue to thank the Father who has prepared us 16 to share in the inheritance of the Saints in that [divine] Light. 17

16

Prepared us: Or, qualified, meet, sufficient, fitted, entitled. [HIKANOSANTI - Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2427, to equip one with adequate power to perform duties of one to equip one with adequate power to perform duties of one]. Despite the good works and endurance it is God’s work which brings fulfillment.

17

To share in the inheritance of the Saints: Or, TCN: in the realms of Light; KNX: to share the light which saints inherit; PME: the share the lot of those who are living in the light; BAR: his dedicated people in the realm of light. The Greek for “lot” is CLEROU from which “clergy” erroneously is derived. Some see that Divine Light described at 1 Timothy 6:16 and Revelation 4:3. [1 John 1:5]

Colossians 1:13-20 – The Realm of the Son

CO1:13 It is [The God] who has delivered us 18 from the authority of the Darkness 19 and transferred us into the Realm of His beloved Son. 20

18	Delivered us: Or, BAR: rescued.

19	Darkness: Or, power, authority, tyranny, control. Compare Ephesians 2:2. [Luke 22:53; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19] In the Nazarene’s teachings there are three kingdoms: a] Satan’s; b] the Son’s; and, c] the Father’s. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Matthew 13:41, 43.

20

Realm of his beloved Son: Or, kingdom, dominion, territory. Christ took up his kingdom rule upon his ascension to heaven. [Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:13; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:20-23] This “kingdom” of the Son is the “realm of profession” – that is, the Church, or Christendom in which both wheat and weeds grow. [Matthew 13:41] See Nazarene Commentary 2000© and the book Nazarene Principles 2000.

CO1:14 It is by means of His Son that we experience liberation by ransom in the forgiveness of our sins. 21

21	Liberation by ransom: Or, release by ransom, deliverance, ransomed. Here “redemption” is defined as “forgiveness of sins.” [See notes on Ephesians 1:7] The KJV adds: “through his blood.”

CO1:15 He is the image of the invisible God 22 – the First-born of all creation 23 [Proverbs 8:22-30] –

22

He is the image of the invisible God: God the Father is described as AORTOU [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #517, unseen, or that which cannot be seen, that is, invisible]. Compare notes on 1 Timothy 1:17 and 1 Timothy 6:16. See notes on the subject in Biblical Articles. [John 1:18] The Son became manifest or visible at his human birth. [John 1:14] He became visible again upon his resurrection. [John 21:1; Acts 10:40] And, he will yet become visible again upon his foretold Return. [Daniel 12:1 JPS; Matthew 24:30; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 3:2] The Father will never become visible to humanity, as invisibility is part of His nature. On “image” compare notes on Hebrews 1:3 where the Son is the “reflection.” God is the sun, producing energy in light and warmth. The Son is the moon as he only reflects this Light. The holy Pneuma may be compared to the sun’s energy in the form of light.

23

The first-born of all creation: That is, the first one created by God. Or, KJV: the firstborn of every creature; TCN: head of all creation; NEB: primacy over all created things. This is a much-disputed phrase. The Greek is PROTO-TOKOS PASES KTISEOS. Jesus is called Mary’s “firstborn” inferring the first of others. [Luke 2:7; compare also Romans 8:29 with Hebrews 2:10, 11] There is a strong inference that this phrase is an allusion to Proverbs 8:22, “Yehowah create me the beginning of His ways.” [LXX = EKTISE ME ARCHEN HODON] The phrase confirms the Son was a created being who did not exist at some point in the cosmic past. [Note in the Hebrew Text that Messiah would have an ancient “origin.” (Micah 5:1, 2)] Compare notes on Revelation 3:14. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes in Error of the Trinity on Colossians 1:15. [Also, Biblical Articles] The Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, page 734, “firstborn… Genesis 25:25 (LXX)… Matthew 1:25… Luke 2:7… (Genesis 48:18)… = all the first-born… (Exodus 22:28; Numbers 18:15… Hebrews 11:28; cf. Exodus 11:5)… 2. fig. – a. of Christ, as the first-born of a new humanity which is to be glorified… Romans 8:29. (prototokos) is also to be found in some instance where it is uncertain whether the force of the element -tokos is still felt at all… Colossians 1:15….” Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon, page 555, “… the first-born whether of man or of beast, Heb 11:28… b. trop. Christ is called prototokos parses ktiseos… who came into being through God prior to the entire universe of created things.” For further details on Colossians 1:15 research the verse in De Trinitatis Erroribus in Nazarene Commentary 2000.

CO1:16 and by his agency everything in heaven and on earth was created, 24 whether visible or invisible, 25 whether thrones or lordships or rulerships or authorities 26 – everything was created through his agency and for his [inheritance]. 27

24	For by his agency all things were created: That is, as the agent of creation, not the Creator Himself. Compare the Greek DI or DIA at John 1:2, 3 and Hebrews 1:2, 3. Or, KJV: by him. [Proverbs 8:22-30]

25	In heaven and on earth, visible and invisible: Here what is visible is paralleled with “on earth”; and, what is “invisible” with heaven. Most understand the “invisible” to refer to the angelic creatures. [Job 38:7]

26	Thrones or lordships or rulerships or authorities: A phrase referring to the spiritual hierarchy in heaven. Compare notes on Ephesians 1:21 [The Godly powers] and Ephesians 6:12 [the satanic powers].

27

All things were created through his agency and for his inheritance: Nothing here calls the Son the Creator. That designation occurs only once in the Christian Bible and is applied to The God. [1 Peter 4:19] Compare 1 Corinthians 8:6 where it is clear God the Father is the source of all creation, while the Son is the agency through which such occurred. [Proverbs 8:22-30; John 1:1-3]

CO1:17 He existed before everything 28 and by means of him the whole Universe adheres and is held together.

28	He existed before everything: It is obvious that God the Creator is “before all things.” It is not so obvious that such is so regarding Christ. [John 1:1, 2 and John 17:5] As the Son it is obvious he is not “before” his Father.

CO1:18 He is the Head of his Body the Church. 29 He is The Beginning 30 – the First-born from among the dead. 31 So that in everything he might hold the first place. 32

29	Head of his Body the Church: See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Ephesians 1:22 and Ephesians 5:23.

30

He is The beginning: Or, primacy, begins with, origin. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #746. A Trinitarian bias often influences the Greek ARCHE here. The word may be “beginning” or “chief.” Some would make it “Beginner.” Proverbs 8:22, 23 in the Jewish Greek Septuagint uses ARCHEN and ARCHE in the context of creation. Compare ARCHE TES KTISEOS at Revelation 3:14. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on the subject in Error of the Trinity.

31

The First-born from among the dead: Here PROTO-TOKOS is used again in reference to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul teaches that Jesus was the “firstfruits” of the dead. [1 Corinthians 15:20-22] Compare also Revelation 1:5. As the firstborn from the dead he is the first of a type or kind – a resurrected person. Similarly, above “firstborn of creation” makes him first of a type – a created being or creature. See the Biblical Article Firstborn Means First-Created.

32

Might hold the first place: Or, stand first, foremost, supreme. [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4409] It is absurd for Paul to suggest that God is pre-eminent for such is obvious by definition. By the three acts: firstborn of creation, firstborn of the dead, and the instrument of reconciliation the Son of God becomes, after the Absolute God, the foremost of all creation. Such was foretold by Psalm 89:27, 28 where the LXX uses PROTO-TOKON.

CO1:19 For God was very pleased to have the complete fulfillment [of His purpose] to reside 33 in His Son.

33

The complete fulfillment [of His purpose] to reside: Or, KJV: it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; TCN: in him the divine nature in all its fulness should dwell; WEY: the whole of the divine perfections; PME: it was in him that the full nature of God chose to live. By examining the Greek it is clear that some of these Trinitarian paraphrases are severely affected. The Greek is HOTI EN AUTO EUDOCESEN PAN TO PLEROMA KATOIKESAI. Or, “Because in [the Son] [God] thought well all the fullness to dwell.” The meaning is likely: “For God was very pleased to have the complete fulfillment [of His purpose] to reside in His Son.” The Greek word group PLEROMA [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4139, a ship inasmuch as it is filled (i.e. manned) with sailors, rowers, and soldiers - of those things which a ship is filled, freight and merchandise, sailors, oarsmen, soldiers] is one of Paul’s favorite words. It comes from a root dealing with a ship’s complement. It can mean full, fullness, completion, complete.

CO1:20 And thus by the Son’s agency to reconcile to Himself the complete Universe 34 - whether on earth or in heaven 35 – resulting in peaceful harmony by means of his blood on the stake. 36

34	Reconcile to himself the complete Universe: Or, win back. Compare the notes on the parallel at Ephesians 1:9, 10 where the alternative is “gather together again.” The Son is the agency, as in creation, so in reconciling the Universe. [2 Corinthians 5:19]

35

Whether on earth or in heaven: Or, celestial and terrestrial. Compare the parallel at Ephesians 1:9, 10. It is the “restoration of all things” of Acts 3:21. In the Genesis 3 account we have both heaven and earth involved. The Serpent from the celestial part of the rebellion, which the Church restores as a heavenly rule. Adam and Eve as the terrestrial part, replaced by the New Earth. [2 Peter 3:13] Compare Matthew 6:9, 10.

36	His blood on his stake: The redemptive blood purchases the Church to restore the celestial imbalance as well as providing for the resurrection of righteous humanity to an Edenic paradise. [Acts 17:31; 24:15]

Colossians 1:21-23 – Non-Jews Reconciled

CO1:21 And now even all of you [non-Jews] 37 – formerly alienated and enemies [of God] with minds concentrated on evil and harmful deeds, 38 –

37	You: That is, the non-Jews, or Gentiles.

38	Formerly alienated: Compare the parallel in Ephesians chapter 2. [Ephesians 2:12]

CO1:22 God has now also reconciled by means of the death of [the Son’s] fleshly body. 39 And all of this so that all of you might be presented to God in a holy, innocent, and guiltless state. 40

39	Reconciled by means of the death: Proof that Jesus Christ the Nazarene was a human in a fleshly body. [Matthew 20:28]

40	Present to God: “Before him” is in Greek KAT-ENOPION, or down in front, that is, in His presence, under His sight. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on 1 John 2:28. [2 Corinthians 5:10]

CO1:23 Of course, this is provided you continue in the Faith 41 - steadfast 42 and unshakable – never abandoning the hope of the Good News. 43 This is something all of you heard, just as it has been declared to every creature under the sky, and regarding that I, Paul, became a servant.

41	Provided that you continue in the Faith: Reconciliation is condition on conviction and continuous faith. [Revelation 2:10]

42	Stable and unshakable: Or, grounded and settled, firm and unmovable; PME: this reconciliation assumes, of course, that you maintain a firm position in the faith. [Ephesians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 15:58]

43	Never abandoning the hope of the Good News: Or, not moved away, never abandoning, never dislodged. The Evangel has a particular and unique hope – spirit existence in the celestial realms. [John 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:44-51; 2 Corinthians 5:1]

Colossians 1:24-29 – Mystery Revealed to the Saints

CO1:24 And so now I continue to rejoice in all my sufferings in your behalf, 44 and by means of my own flesh I complete the remainder of the Christ’s afflictions in behalf of his Body, 45 that is, the Church.

44	My sufferings in your behalf: Or, afflictions I bear for your sake, it is now my happiness to suffer for you. [Ephesians 3:1; Philippians 3:10] Paul’s suffering in prison was because he was a minister of the Evangel to the non-Jews.

45

Christ’s affliction in behalf of his Body: Or, KJV: fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh; ASV: my part; RHM: filling up things that lack of the tribulations of the Christ in my flesh; TCNT: I supplement the afflictions endured; MOF: make up the full sum of all that Christ has to suffer in my person. There are a variety of views. It seems fair to conclude Paul refers to that final total of all the sufferings and martyrdoms of the Church. Compare Revelation 6:9-11. Another view may be expressed in the Nazarene’s words regarding Paul’s future sufferings: “Because I will reveal to [Paul] how many things he must suffer.” [Acts 9:16]

CO1:25 Of this [Church] I became a servant according to God’s stewardship granted to me in your behalf 46 so that I might fulfill God’s promises to all of you 47–

46	God’s stewardship granted to me: Or, dispensation, administration, stewardship, divine commission, trusteeship. Consider the parallel at Ephesians 3:2. [Acts 9:15] He refers to his apostleship to the non-Jews. [Galatians 2:8]

47	Fulfill God’s promises: Or, fulfill the word of God, a full presentation of God’s message, the universal message, complete the preaching.

CO1:26 that mystery hidden since time immemorial 48 from all generations, but now being revealed to His Saints.

48	Time immemorial: Or, KJV: the mystery which hath been hid from ages; RHM: sacred secret; WMS: the open secret, covered up from the people of former ages. Compare Ephesians 3:5.

CO1:27 To these Saints 49 The God wished to reveal the wealth of this glorious mystery among all the non-Jews – that is, Christ among you also with the hope of glory. 50

49	Now being revealed to His Saints: Or, shown openly, disclosed, uncovered. [Romans 16:26; Ephesians 3:5]

50	The hope of glory: Part of the mystery is the hope of Christ among the non-Jews. GDS: the promise of glorification; PME: the hope of all the glorious things to come. [Romans 8:18]

CO1:28 It is [Christ] we proclaim - admonishing everyone, teaching everyone in all wisdom 51– so that we might present every person completely full-grown and mature in union with Christ. 52

51	Admonishing everyone: Or, warning, teaching with all the wisdom we possess. [Colossians 3:16]

52	Completely full-grown and mature: Or, perfect, complete, full grown. The Greek is TELEION [end] and is used by Paul for that which is mature. Compare Ephesians 4:13. [1 Corinthians 2:6; 3:1; 13:10, 11]

CO1:29 It is for this reason that I continue in agonizing labor completely energized by His inner strength. 53

53

Energized by His inner strength: That is, “strengthened by the inner Power God gives us.” Or, KJV: worketh in me mightily; WMS: His active energy; RHM: his energy which is energising itself in me with power; BECK: struggling like an athlete. The Greek is ENERGEIAN AUTOU TEN ENERGOUMENE EN EMOI EN DYNAMEI. One form of this energy is from the Scriptures. See the related word ENERGES at Hebrews 4:12.

Review Questions on Chapter 1

Summary of Chapter One