Month: September 2021

September 30, 2021

Buried and rise with Christ (Col. 2:12)

“When you were buried

With Christ

In Baptism,

You were also raised

With him

Through faith

In the power

Of God,

Who raised Christ

From the dead.”

συνταφέντες αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ βαπτίσματι, ἐν ᾧ καὶ συνηγέρθητε διὰ τῆς πίστεως τῆς ἐνεργείας τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ἐγείραντος αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν·

Paul said, “When you were buried with (συνταφέντες) Christ (αὐτῷ) in baptism (ἐν τῷ βαπτίσματι), you were also raised with (καὶ συνηγέρθητε) him (ἐν ᾧ) through faith (διὰ τῆς πίστεως) in the power (τῆς ἐνεργείας) of God (τοῦ Θεοῦ), who raised him (τοῦ ἐγείραντος αὐτὸν) from the dead (ἐκ νεκρῶν).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word συνταφέντες, that means to bury along with, and the word συνηγέρθητε, that means to raise together with, as well as this word ἐνεργείας, that means working, action, productive work, or superhuman activity.  Notice the Greek preface “συν” that means together with.  Paul indicated that we were buried with Jesus Christ in our baptism.  However, we also rose with Christ through our faith in the power of God.  God has raised Jesus Christ from the dead.  Jesus Christ made all this happen.  As long as we are associated with Jesus Christ in baptism, God would associate us with Jesus Christ and raise us from the dead like him.  Attachment to Jesus Christ was all important.  A faith filled baptism was the entry step to our union with Jesus Christ.  Are you united with Jesus Christ?

September 30, 2021

Spiritual circumcision (Col. 2:11)

“In Christ also,

You were circumcised

With non-human hands circumcision.

You put off

The body

Of the human flesh

In the circumcision

Of Christ.”

ἐν ᾧ καὶ περιετμήθητε περιτομῇ ἀχειροποιήτῳ ἐν τῇ ἀπεκδύσει τοῦ σώματος τῆς σαρκός, ἐν τῇ περιτομῇ τοῦ Χριστοῦ,

Paul said, “In Christ also (ἐν ᾧ), you were circumcised (καὶ περιετμήθητε) with non-human hands circumcision (περιτομῇ ἀχειροποιήτῳ).  You put off (ἐν τῇ ἀπεκδύσει) the body of the human flesh (τοῦ σώματος τῆς σαρκός) in the circumcision (ἐν τῇ περιτομῇ) of Christ (τοῦ Χριστοῦ).”  Only this unique word ἀπεκδύσει, is found here in Colossians, that means stripping off, putting off, or casting off.  Paul returned to one of his favorite topics, circumcision, with this battle over the value of Jewish human circumcision.  Paul talked about a circumcision not done with human hands, a non-human or spiritual circumcision.  There was no need to use the human fleshy body in this new spiritual circumcision of Jesus Christ.  Paul continued to wail against those who demanded that Christian males have a bodily circumcision just like the Jewish males.  Christ brought a spiritual circumcision that no longer needed a human body penis circumcision.  Are you circumcised?

September 30, 2021

The fullness of Christ (Col. 2:10)

“You have come

To fullness

In Christ.

He is the head

Of every ruler

And authority.”

καὶ ἐστὲ ἐν αὐτῷ πεπληρωμένοι, ὅς ἐστιν ἡ κεφαλὴ πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας,

Paul said, “You have come to fullness in Christ (καὶ ἐστὲ ἐν αὐτῷ πεπληρωμένοι).  He is the head (ὅς ἐστιν ἡ κεφαλὴ) of every ruler (πάσης ἀρχῆς) and authority (καὶ ἐξουσίας).”  Paul told the Colossian Christians that they had the fullness of the cosmic Jesus Christ, who was over all the rulers and authorities here on earth and in heaven.  They had come to know the head of all the universe, Jesus Christ, in all his full greatness.  They were fully Christians in Colossae.  Do you believe that Jesus Christ rules over all humans?

September 30, 2021

Christ is fully God (Col. 2:9)

“In Christ,

The whole fullness

Of the deity

Dwells bodily.”

ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ κατοικεῖ πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τῆς Θεότητος σωματικῶς,

Paul said, “In Christ (ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ), the whole fullness (πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα) of the deity (τῆς Θεότητος) dwells (κατοικεῖ) bodily (σωματικῶς).”  Only this unique word Θεότητος, is found here in Colossians, that means deity or Godhead, plus the word σωματικῶς, that means bodily, corporeally, or belonging to the body.  Although the word for God and body is often used in the canonical biblical writings, this use of deity and bodily is unique to Colossians.  Paul indicated that Jesus Christ was a truly fully divine person who lived in a truly fully human body.  Jesus Christ was God incarnate.  He was God made man.  Jesus Christ was fully divine and at the same time fully human, in his incarnation.  Do you believe that Jesus Christ was truly God and truly human?

September 30, 2021

Do not be led astray (Col. 2:8)

“See to it

That no one

Takes you captive

Through philosophy

And empty deceit,

According to human tradition,

According to the elemental spirits

Of the universe,

And not according to Christ.”

Βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς ἔσται ὁ συλαγωγῶν διὰ τῆς φιλοσοφίας καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τῆς στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστόν·

Paul said, “See to it (Βλέπετε) that no one takes you captive (μή τις ὑμᾶς ἔσται ὁ συλαγωγῶν) through philosophy (διὰ τῆς φιλοσοφίας) and empty deceit (καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης), according to human tradition (κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων), and according to the elemental spirits of the universe (κατὰ τῆς στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου), and not according to Christ (καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστόν).”  Only this unique word συλαγωγῶν, is found here in Colossians, that means to carry off as spoils, plunder, lead captive, or a victim by fraud, and the word φιλοσοφίας, that means the love or pursuit of wisdom, or philosophy.  This is the only place in the canonical biblical literature where the word philosophy (φιλοσοφίας) is used.  Only the Pauline letters used this word στοιχεῖα, that means one in a row, a letter, the rudimentary elements or principles.  Paul warned the Christian Colossians that they should not be captured by false philosophical thought or false deceits that come from human traditions and the cosmic elemental spirits.  Instead, they should continue to live according to Jesus Christ.  Paul condemned Greek philosophical traditions, Jewish legal teachings, and pagan worship.  They all were not in agreement with Jesus Christ.  Do you think that philosophy is against Jesus Christ?

September 29, 2021

You are established in the faith (Col. 2:7)

“You are rooted

And built up

In Christ.

You have been established

In the faith,

Just as you were taught,

Abounding in thanksgiving.”

ἐρριζωμένοι καὶ ἐποικοδομούμενοι ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ βεβαιούμενοι τῇ πίστει καθὼς ἐδιδάχθητε, περισσεύοντες ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ.

Paul said, “You are rooted (ἐρριζωμένοι) and built up (καὶ ἐποικοδομούμενοι) in Christ (ἐν αὐτῷ).  You have been established (καὶ βεβαιούμενοι) in the faith (τῇ πίστει), just as you were taught (καθὼς ἐδιδάχθητε), abounding (περισσεύοντες) in thanksgiving (ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word ἐρριζωμένοι, that means to cause to take root, planted, fixed firmly, or established, and the word ἐποικοδομούμενοι, that means to build upon a foundation.  Paul explained that the Colossian Christians had been rooted in and built up from Jesus Christ, who was their root and the cause of their growth.  They have been firmly established in their Christian faith as they were taught.  Thus, they abound and overflow with thanksgiving to God.  Do you give thanks to God?

September 29, 2021

Live your lives in Christ! (Col. 2:6)

“Therefore,

You have received

Christ Jesus,

The Lord.

Continue

To live your lives

In Christ!”

Ὡς οὖν παρελάβετε τὸν Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν τὸν Κύριον, ἐν αὐτῷ περιπατεῖτε,

Paul said, “Therefore, you have received (Ὡς οὖν παρελάβετε) Christ Jesus (τὸν Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν) the Lord (τὸν Κύριον).  Continue to walk and live your lives (περιπατεῖτε) in Christ (ἐν αὐτῷ).”  Paul indicated that the Colossians had received Jesus Christ, the Lord.  He wanted them to continue to walk and live their lives in Christ.  This was a simple message.  Love and live like a Christian, one who follows the Lord Jesus Christ.  Do you live like a Christian?

September 29, 2021

I rejoice in your firm faith (Col. 2:5)

“Even though

I am absent

In body,

Yet I am with you

In spirit.

I rejoice

To see

Your good morale

And the firmness

Of your faith

In Christ.”

εἰ γὰρ καὶ τῇ σαρκὶ ἄπειμι, ἀλλὰ τῷ πνεύματι σὺν ὑμῖν εἰμι, χαίρων καὶ βλέπων ὑμῶν τὴν τάξιν καὶ τὸ στερέωμα τῆς εἰς Χριστὸν πίστεως ὑμῶν.

Paul said, “Even though I am absent in a human body (εἰ γὰρ καὶ τῇ σαρκὶ ἄπειμι), yet I am with you in spirit (ἀλλὰ τῷ πνεύματι σὺν ὑμῖν εἰμι).  I rejoice (χαίρων) to see (καὶ βλέπων) your good morale (ὑμῶν τὴν τάξιν) and the firmness (καὶ τὸ στερέωμα) of your faith (πίστεως ὑμῶν) in Christ (εἰς Χριστὸν).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word ἄπειμι, that means to be away or to be absent.  Only this unique word στερέωμα, is found here in Colossians, that means a solid body, a support, strength, firmness, steadfastness, or constancy.  Paul once again indicated that he was not with the Colossians.  Although absent, he was still with them spiritually.  He rejoiced at their morale or the good order of things in Colossae.  He was very happy about their strong steadfast constant faith in Jesus Christ.  These Greek words about morale and strength have a military tone, since Paul often saw the Christian struggle as a spiritual military battle.  Do you have a strong faith in Jesus Christ?

September 29, 2021

Do not be deceived! (Col. 2:4)

“I am saying this

So that no one

May deceive you

With plausible arguments.”

Τοῦτο λέγω ἵνα μηδεὶς ὑμᾶς παραλογίζηται ἐν πιθανολογίᾳ.

Paul said, “I am saying this (Τοῦτο λέγω) so that no one may deceive you (ἵνα μηδεὶς ὑμᾶς παραλογίζηται) with plausible arguments (ἐν πιθανολογίᾳ).”  Only this unique word παραλογίζηται, is found here in Colossians, that means to miscalculate, to reason falsely, deceive, beguile, or mislead, as well as the word πιθανολογίᾳ, that means persuasive speech.  Paul was warning the Colossians not to be deceived by someone with persuasive or plausible arguments.  Paul, as usual, cautioned this early Christian community to watch out for those sweet-talking people who were trying to confuse them or deceive them.  Has anyone ever tried to deceive you?

September 29, 2021

The treasures of wisdom (Col. 2:3)

“In Christ

Are hidden

All the treasures

Of wisdom

And knowledge.”

ἐν ᾧ εἰσιν πάντες οἱ θησαυροὶ τῆς σοφίας καὶ γνώσεως ἀπόκρυφοι.

Paul said, “In Christ (ἐν ᾧ) are (εἰσιν) hidden (ἀπόκρυφοι) all the treasures (πάντες οἱ θησαυροὶ) of wisdom (τῆς σοφίας) and knowledge (καὶ γνώσεως).”  Paul indicated that all the hidden treasures of wisdom and understanding were hidden in Jesus Christ.  In other words, knowing Jesus Christ would unleash all the hidden treasures that come with true wisdom, knowledge, and insight.  Are you seeking true wisdom?