Bible Survey: Colossians
The theme of Colossians is the preeminence of Christ, that in all things he might have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18). Paul had never been to Colosse. Epaphras, who was always labouring fervently for you in prayers (Colossians 4:12), may well have brought them the gospel, and the church was sound in the fundamentals. But two errors were creeping in.
One was legalism, judging believers in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday (Colossians 2:16), with rules like Touch not; taste not; handle not (Colossians 2:21). The other was Gnosticism, a strange mixture of philosophy, mysticism and pride. The Gnostics claimed a higher knowledge that only a few possessed. They taught that matter was evil, worshipped angels, and made Christ a created being, one spirit among many.
That is why Colossians says so much about who Christ is. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible (Colossians 1:16). If He created all things, He created the angels, and He is no created being Himself. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him (Colossians 2:9–10).
These errors never died out. The Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jehovah created Jesus, and their New World Translation adds a word to Colossians 1:16 so that Christ created "all other things." Paul's warning still stands: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men (Colossians 2:8).
For the believer, the answer is to look up. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above (Colossians 3:1), and that if means since. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2). And toward those outside the church, Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man (Colossians 4:6).
Next in the series: 2 Thessalonians.
Taught by Brother James Barker in Sunday School at Naples Independent Baptist Church, April 11, 2021. Watch the lesson.
