Archive / Commentary on Colossians

Steward of the Gospel

A Wicked Servant Hides his Talents Can I be totally honest about the blog posts that I write? I have to admit that I write them to myself. I read my Bible, journal it out in my notebook, think through it, pray through it, study through it, then eventually blog it and all this work is for the benefit of my understanding what I’ve read and desiring to apply it to my life. If I kept my understanding to myself though it would be like the wicked servant in Matthew 25 who buried the talents given to him by his Master. So my aim is to be faithful with what I’ve been given and to be a good steward of it through this blog. You can know though that I’m right here with you listening to all that the Word is teaching through whatever passage it is that’s being shared. […]

How to Follow Through with Your Resolutions

Making a Resolution Have you ever resolved to do something? Like really set your mind to do something great? Several weeks ago I was greatly inspired by a good friend who, with hard work and resolve, lost close to 60 pounds in a matter of a few months and is looking amazing and feeling great. I decided it was time I started exercising regularly and snacking less. So, my ever encouraging husband and I hit the trails and worked hard three times a week walking/jogging with our 3 kids strapped into the strollers. Two weeks later it started to rain (we live in Vancouver, B.C. so, NOT uncommon) and company from out of town arrived, before I knew it I was eating ice cream and fish and chips and drinking frappucino’s. Now the company’s gone and I’m thinking about how to get back into the exercise routine that was so […]

A Plan for Peace: From Creation to the Cross

What Peace? When God created the world he created it with peace in mind. From the moment he breathed the words, “Let there be light” he had a plan, a plan for peace. When I think of all the ways I’ve heard people talk about the concept of peace (world peace, Greenpeace, peace of mind, etc.) I wonder how on earth the people who wrote Webster’s dictionary could narrow down a definition of the word. And in fact, they didn’t. They have five definitions listed for the word peace. I remember my dramatic debut as the angel in our church Christmas pageant who proclaimed, “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men!” (See Shane’s post “Jesus brings Division” for more on this verse). This is a favorite Christmas verse and frequently misquoted to mean that God desires peace among men. What kind of peace were the angels really announcing? They were declaring […]

How Did You Receive Jesus?

Looking Inside the Pages I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover”. The lesson that is usually being taught when this old adage is used is that what might appear to be unattractive from the outside could very well be brilliant, beautiful, and worthwhile on the inside. However, the opposite angle could also readily be applied to the varying and vast amounts of teaching that takes place on the subject of “receiving Jesus”, the gospel, and salvation. Sometimes what might appear to be brilliant, beautiful, and worthwhile on the outside is really quite unattractive, misinformed, and even downright deceitful on the inside. False teaching on the basic fundamentals of the Christian faith has been happening since the very beginnings of the church that Jesus started through the apostles. The book of Colossians contains one example of this type of strike against the church by […]

Praying for Power

Praying for Power – Colossians 1:11 Power. Wars have been fought for it, lies have been told to gain it, many have desired it. Is it ever okay for a Christian to hope for power? Well, yes. The apostle Paul even prayed that the Colossian church would be strengthened with “all power”. So, is there more to it? Of course. We’re not just talking about any power here, or the power to do anything you please like reaching your dreams, this is ultimate and divine power for a glorious ambition. Before we get into it, here is a portion of Paul’s prayer for the believers at Colossae. Colossians 1:11 ESV … May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy… Now it’s true that these words were intended by Paul for the Colossians, but they were also intended by God for […]

Knowing God’s Will

How Can You Know God’s Will for your Life? The topic of God’s will for your life is a popular one among Christians. I know that I myself, many times in the past, have wondered about it and even once considered taking a class on it. I used to think, “If only I knew what God’s will was for my life then I would really be focused on him.” I know this is a common train of thought because I’ve often heard people talk about God’s will for who they will marry, what job they should take, where they should live, even whether or not they should tell someone about the gospel. So, how can you know the will of God for your life? I think the most obvious, but most overlooked place to start is in the Bible. If God has a will for your life and mine, isn’t […]

The Nature of the Gospel

Colossians 1:1-8 Commentary – The Gospel That Produces Epaphras: Fruit of the Gospel Colossae was a small city and the hometown of Epaphras who became an evangelist-pastor after he heard the proclamation of the gospel from Paul in Ephesus. Most commentators agree that Epaphras had likely traveled there, heard Paul preach, and responded to his message. As a new believer he returned home and planted a church. Paul, himself, never visited the Colossians because of his imprisonment in Rome. Colossians 1:3-8 ESV .. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole […]