Bible Study: Book of Colossians

My oh my! His Word truly never disappoints! By now I should know that when I think I'm "quickly" going to read through a book in the Bible - I should know that I'm in for an in depth treat! My recent study of the book of Colossians was my latest treat in the school of His Spirit! With Abba's Word there is ALWAYS more! I guess the only question is whether we are willing to actually dig into it?

Whenever we're doing Bible study, we should always determine what the context is. Part of that is discovering who wrote the Book, when was is written and to whom was it written. Knowing this before you dive into the chapters will ensure that you don't make assumptions based on our own limited understanding and possible misunderstandings.

The book of Colossians was written by Paul during the time he spent in prision. It's considered to be written somewhere between 58-62 AD. The community of Collosae is situated close to the city of Honaz in Turkey.

The community consisted of Jews and non-Jews who followed Abba's instructions. Many of them were "new Christians." There were also people from other religions who lived in the area.

The letter that Paul wrote to the community of Colossae might have been written many years ago, but the message he brought is still just as applicable to us today as it was in the time which He wrote it.

It came to Paul's attention that the people of Colossae had lots of rituals & ceremonial practices (traditions) which had it's origin from men and not from Biblical instruction. When Paul wrote to them, he reminded them on Who Yeshua (Jesus) Is and that we are called to follow Yeshua's example. He also reminded them that as born-again believers, they are redeemed and therefore they should live like they have been redeemed. Being born-again comes with a responsibility to live according to Abba's instructions. It's especially important how we, as born-again believers, live in front of unbelievers and those who claim to believe but do not walk according to Abba's instructions. We cannot afford for our lives to look the same as the lives of unbelievers nor the lives of lukewarm believers!

It's almost as if Paul first took the time to remind them of their identity in Christ - before he adressed other matters.

Paul's letters are very often misinterpreted / quoted out of context in modern day churches. The day after I finished my study of the Book of Colossians, I saw a post from @humbledisciple on Instagram which was so well said - I just had to share it here. He wrote:

Many misunderstand Paul, and even Peter warned that Paul’s writings can be hard to understand and often twisted by "ignorant and unstable" people (2 Peter 3:15-16). Today, many use Paul’s letters to promote an anti-Torah theology, claiming that we are no longer required to follow God’s commandments. But is that really what Paul taught?

Paul was a Torah-observant Jew who loved God’s instructions. In Acts 21, we see him making an offering at the Temple to show he still lived according to the Torah (Acts 21:24). He never rejected it, and neither did Yeshua. Paul was addressing specific issues in the early congregations, often related to Gentile believers who were unfamiliar with the Torah. His goal was to guide them in faith, not to abolish God’s Law (Torah).

For example, in Romans 6:14, when Paul says we are "not under law but under grace," he’s speaking about being free from the Law’s condemnation—not the Law itself. He affirms in Romans 3:31, "Do we then nullify the Torah through faithfulness? May it never be! On the contrary, we uphold the Torah" (TLV).

Paul primarily addressed the misapplication of God's commands, particularly when man-made traditions (also known as the 'traditions of men') were imposed on believers in a rigid, legalistic manner. These traditions often lacked love and were treated as a checklist of rules that burdened followers, creating barriers between them and God. One notable example of this legalism is discussed in Galatians, where some insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation. However, Paul clarified that salvation comes by faith, not by works of the Law (Galatians 5:6).

Paul’s writings don’t dismiss the Torah; they uphold it. He reminds us that while we are saved by grace, we are called to live in obedience to God’s commandments. Let’s read Paul’s letters with understanding, following Yeshua’s example of love and Torah observance, not twisting his words to promote lawlessness."

Paul wrote this letter to born-again believers - to people who KNEW the truth. In chapter 1, he confirmed their salvation and the fact that they knew Yeshua. John 14:6 says that Yeshua is the Truth, the Way and the Life. Knowing Yeshua means knowing the Truth and therefore we have to walk in it. Knowing the Truth brings forth fruit.

In Chapter 1 verse 6 we read:

"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..."

In other words: When we truly KNOW (Greek: epiginosko) Yeshua, without confusion & deception (Greek: aletheia), the fruit (not root) of our salvation (Greek: charis) will be clearly visibe in our lives!

Paul's prayer for them (and us still today as well) is for them to be filled to full measure; filled to the brim; completely; to fully bring into effect (Greek: pleroo) with the knowledge of Abba's will - to the tiniest detail! He prays for them for wisdom and spiritual understanding (Greek: synesis =the full picture; flowing together of understanding). He prayed that they (and we) would be able to carry fruit that is well-pleasing to Abba.

The more we walk in the truth, the more our knowledge (Greek: epiginosko) of God would increase. As we walk in truth and wisdom, He takes us in deeper and starts to reveal more and more to us!

When we "know the grace of God in truth" as mentioned in verse 6, it strengthens us and enables us to bring forth the fruit of our salvation - despite the circumstances we might face. But more than that! It also enables us to do so with joy!

The moment we first truly grasp the weight of our salvation; we would experience continuous joy from receiving that inheritance!

He (Yeshua) delivered us from the kingdom of darkness. He transferred (Greek: methistemi = transpose / transfer / translate / remove from one place to another) us from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light, through His Son, Yeshua the Messiah. His Blood redeemed us! Nothing can compare to Him! Nothing we could ever do could "gain" the salvation we have freely received through His Blood.

In chapter 1 verse 17 we read:

"And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist."

Which reminds us of Proverbs 8:22 that says:

'''The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old."

The word translated as "possessed" in our English Bibles comes from the Greek word "qana" which means bought / redeemed.

We have been redeemed, bought for a price - we do not belong to ourselves. The way we live should testify of it! He deserves first priority in ALL areas of our lives!

Verse 20-23 is our reminder that it's through His Blood that we are represented as holy, unblameable and unreprovable in His sight! Wow!

What we often fail to see is that verse 23 starts with the word "if"... Being able to stand before YHVH (God) as holy & unblamable is conditional! The message in verse 23 is clear that we have to continue in our faith - which should be grounded (Greek: themiloo = foundation) and settled (Greek; hedraios = firm, immovable, steadfast) and not "moved away from the hope of the gospel." What is the hope of the gospel? Yeshua!

From verse 26-27 we know that when we remain steadfast in Yeshua, the Truth - He will reveal hidden mysteries to us; the things that are not obvious to understanding. He will make His truth known to both the Jews as well as the Gentiles.

There has already been so much to ponder on and that was only chapter 1! Which brings us then to chapter 2...

From this letter which Paul wrote, we can see that his heart's desire was for each and every person (including me and you) to get to know God as Father, Son & Holy Spirit and to have an intimate relationship with Him - SO that we would be able to understand the hidden mysteries of His Word and His will.

Paul's desire is that because he knew that if we know God like that - we would not be deceived and led astray through false doctrines. If you know the truth, you won't be mislead by the counterfeit!

If we want to remain steadfast in our faith (like we should), we have to realise that it takes discipline from our side - it's NOT going to happen automatically! Hence his reminder in verse 6 that if we have been redeemed - we have to live like it!

Before we go any further, I just want to remind you again that Paul wrote this letter to born-again believers who lived according to Abba's instructions. In verse 8 Paul warns them to not be "led away" through:

1. philosophies;

2. deceit / empty deception;

3. manmade tradition;

4. nor the principles of the world

He warns them to not be led astray instead of being led by Yeshua.

In verse 11 Paul reminds them (and us) that a physical circumcision is no longer required and that the circumcision that he refers to is not one in the physical, but one in the spirit. It's about the cicumcision of the heart through Yeshua and not of the body through hands.

Verse 12 is our beautiful reminder that as born-again believers, we have access to the same Power that rose Yeshua from death!

Verse 13 reminds us that sin makes us spiritually dead and that we are uncircumcised in our flesh because we are carnal minded and not spirit-led. This verse is so often quoted out of context claiming that we are now dead to sin as if once we are born-again we are suddenly sinless. We are not suddenly dead to sin, sin makes us dead!

We then get to the well used out of context verses, which is verse 16-17:

"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."

In other words... Paul wrote this letter to people who:

1. ate according to Abba's instructions (not eating things that are not considered to be food);

2. did not abuse strong drinks;

3. kept His feasts;

4. determined their seasons, days & years according to the moon as instructed (and not according to the sun as the worldly principle - Greek: stoicheion);

5. and kept Shabbat (Saturday, not Sunday).

Paul reminded them (what they already know since they were walking in the truth) that all of the above is a shadow of things to come. There's a spiritual principle behind it and that is what it's all about.

Paul told them to not pay attention to it when people judged / mocked them for living according to Abba's instructions. He did NOT say it by means to tell anyone to no longer keep Abba's instructions like many believers claim these days.

In verse 18, Paul confirms the above by saying that we should not pay attention to those who attempt to declare us unworthy through "purposeful humiliation and having an opinion about things they know nothing of / don't understand, but they walk proudly in the flesh" - thinking that they are fine. He's reminding us to not bother when people are saying things like we are trying to workout our own salvation through keeping Abba's instructions. In verse 19, Paul says that the people who do that (make the false accusations due to a lack of understanding) don't stand in a real relationship with Yeshua. Sheesh! (PS it's not my words, but Paul's. No wonder the poor guy was hated so much.)

Still in chapter 2, verses 20-21 reminds us; that as born-again believers who are walking in the truth - we are no longer bound by the wordly principles. We are bound by Abba's principles and instructions and not by that of the world! Paul warned them (us) to not adhere to the worldly principles, nor partake in it, nor have anything to do with it!

Paul first adressed the fact that we are no longer bound by worldly doctrine and principles. Then in chapter 3 he kicks it off by saying that we should shift our focus to the things above! Once we are born-again, our focus cannot look like the rest of the world. With being born-again comes a set-apart lifestyle.

In verse 2 we read:

"set your affection on things above & not things on earth."

In verse 3 we read:

"... your life is hidden with Christ in God."

The original Greek used for "set your affection" was the word "phroneo" which means your mind / like-minded/ to have understanding / to be wise.

The Greek word that's translated to "hidden" was the word "krypto" which means to be hidden / kept secret / be set apart.

Our fleshly lives are dead / slain / have perished / no longer exists once we are born-again. We have to ask ourselves if our lives testify of it?

In verse 5, Paul tells them (us) that they (we) should "put to death / destroy / slay" (Greek: nekroo) all forms and strongholds of:

1. fornication (Greek: porneia);

2. uncleanness (Greek: akatharsia = physical & in a moral sense: lustful / luxurious / extravagant / reckless / wasteful in the use of resources);

3. inordinate affection (Greek: pathos = unnatural affection or desire / lust);

4. evil (Greek: kakos = bad nature / not as intended / wicked) concupiscence (Greek: epithymia = desire / lust / craving / desire for what's forbidden); and

5. covetousness (Greek: pleonexia = greedy desire to have more / discontent).

All of the above are forms of idolatry! Those who partake in the above are called "the children of disobedience" (Greek: apeitheia = unbelief / disobedient / rebellious / opposition to God's will).

Now that we are born again, we have no more part in the above idolatrous practices (verse 9). The old man (who we used to be) and the deeds of the old man (what we used to do) have been put off / ended / are no longer part of us according to verse 10. The new man / new creation in Yeshua is renewed in knowledge. When we know better, we should act better!

Once we are born-again, there's no more distinction between Jew & Gentile - no more distinction between those who have always walked according to Abba's instructions and those who have recently turned to follow His instructions. Verse 11 says:

"but Christ is all and in all.."

Paul reminds us in verses 12-15 that as born-again believers we should pursue:

• compassion;

• kindness;

• humbleness;

• meekness (gentleness); and

• longsuffering (patience / preserverance / steadfastness).

We should forebear (Greek: anecho = endure but also to hold up / sustain) and forgive one another easily. When quarrels & misunderstandings occur, we should be quick to forgive. Paul didn't say that quarrels & misunderstandings cannot / may not happen. We have to be peacemakers and not peacekeepers (Matt 5:9).

Whatever we do must always be done in love, because that is the very thing which holds us together in the body of the Messiah.

In verse 15 we read:

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..."

In verse 16 we read:

"let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another..."

The word translated as dwell is the Greek word "enoikeo" which means to dwell / influence / inhabit.

The word translated as teaching is the Greek word "didasko" which means to impart instruction / explain.

The word translated as admonishing is the Greek word "noutheteo" which means to warn / exhort / reprove (John 7:24, Matt 7:1, Luke 6:37).

Paul reminded the community in Colossae (and us today) in verse 17, that whatever we say and do must be done in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Yeshua. When we do things in His Name, we cannot live contrary to His instructions!

In verses 18-22, Paul addresses family relations - confirming what he also wrote to the church in Ephesis in the book of Ephesians 5:21-6:9.

• Wives: "submit yourselves to your own husbands; as it is fit in the Lord." The word translated as submit is the Greek word "hypotasso" = subordinate / obey / yield to advice (Rom 10:3, Eph 5:21-22, James 4:7). It does NOT mean that women are "less than" men. It does also not say that women should submit under all men - only under your own husband; because you trust in his leadership when he is rooted in God. Marriage is His image on earth. The way we submit (trust his advice) under our husbands is a picture to the world of how the Bride submits to her Husband, Yeshua.

• Hubands: "love your wives, and be not bitter against them." The word translated as love is the Greek word "agapao" which means to love / entertain / be content with / be well pleased (Matt 22:37, Luke 10:27, John 3:16). The Greek word translated as bitter is the word "pikraino" which means irritated / grieved / angry / annoyed. Abba knows our design and our hearts. He tells husbands to love their wives like He loves us (dying on the cross). It's a sacrificial love! He doesn't get annoyed / angry / irritated with us for all our talking and questions. God knew men would have taxing jobs and commitments althroughout time and He knew women's desire for connection and quality time. Therefore He instructed husbands to treat their wives the way He treats us as His children - without getting annoyed / irritated.

• Children: "obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord." The word translated as obey is the Greek word "hypakouo" which means to listen / harken to / obey / submit. Children are the fruit of marriage. If marriage is His Image on earth, children are an extention of that Image.

• Fathers: "provoke not your children to anger, less they be discouraged." The word translated as provoke is the Greek word "erethizo" which means to stir up / to anger. The word translated as discouraged is the Greek word "athymeo" which means to be disheartened / dispirited / broken in spirit / dismayed. This is a massive responsibilty that God has placed on father figures in all aspects of life. The way fathers act should never cause children (physical & spiritual) to become broken in spirit. When a child's spirit is broken and the father figure failed to portray the true Image of God the Father to them, they will have trouble to have a relationship with God through seeing Him as a faithful Father whom they can trust.

• Servants: "obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with the eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart; fearing God." The word translated as flesh is the Greek word "sarx" which means carnal. The word translated as eye-service is the Greek word "ophthalmodoulia" which means only under the master's eyes / greater diligence when watched / sluggish when no one is watching. The word translated as singleness is the Greek word "haplotes" which means free from pretence / in simplicity / not self-seeking / mental honesty (Rom 12:8, 2 Cor 1:12).

In verses 23-25 Paul reminded them that no matter what we do - whether it's big or small - that we must do it with all our might to bring joy and honour to God and not for the approval of mankind. YHVH (God) is the rewarder of our faith. Our commitment to Him and His Word will not to return to us empty! Our reward is eternal and not simply temporarily as with mankind's rewards.

YHVH is a respector or faith, not a respector of persons. No matter who you are, where you have been - if you don't live according to His instructions, you are going to face the consequences. Luckily the opposite is also true! When we live according to His instructions, we are also going to experience the blessings that flows from it!

Lastly but not least, we get to chapter 4...

Here Paul addresses the relations between fellow workers.

• Masters: "give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven." The word translated as just is the Greek word "dikaios" which means right / righteous / acceptable of God / upright (Matt 5:45). The word translated as equal is the Greek word "isotes" which means fair. We are to give a man what is due - anything less is stealing! We are servants of God. We cannot expect Him to be fair and just with us when we are not willing to treat others fair and just.

Paul starts to finish off his letter by reminding them (and us) to be viligant and steadfast in prayer - always remembering how fortunate we are because of our salvation in Yeshua! He warns them to not become lukewarm. When you truly realise how fortunate and undeserving of His salvation we are, there's no way one would be able to become lukewarm!

Paul then also reminds them that we have a responsibilty to pray for our spiritual leaders and those who are spreading His Word - that God would prepare the ground (the ears of those they will teach) and also that He would increase spiritual understanding (of both the leaders as well as the communities).

When we know better (being born-again), we should act better! Time is running our for people to return to God. The way we live our lives and interact with others should pull others closer to the Truth, Who is Yeshua our Messiah!

In verse 6 we read:

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt..."

How beautiful is that? Then verse 7 says:

"Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it."

We all have a ministry - a purpose and a calling! It is our responsibility to ensure that we fulfill it!