The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV

by John MacArthur

  14rhaving wiped out the 9handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

  15sHaving disarmed tprincipalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

  16So let no one ujudge you in food or in drink, or regarding a 10festival or a new moon or sabbaths,

  17vwhich are a shadow of things to come, but the 11substance is of Christ.

  18Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has 12not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

  19and not holding fast to wthe Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, xgrows with the increase that is from God. Titles of Christ

  2013Therefore, if you ydied with Christ from the basic principles of the world, zwhy, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—

  21a“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”

  22which all concern things which perish with the using—baccording to the commandments and doctrines of men?

  23cThese things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and 14neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

  Colossians 3

  Not Carnality but Christ

  1If then you were araised with Christ, seek those things which are above, bwhere Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

  2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the cearth.

  3dFor you died, eand your life is hidden with Christ in God.

  4fWhen Christ who is gour life appears, then you also will appear with Him in hglory.

  5iTherefore put to death jyour members which are on the earth: kfornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, lwhich is idolatry.

  6mBecause of these things the wrath of God is coming upon nthe sons of disobedience,

  7oin which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

  8pBut now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

  9Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

  10and have put on the new man who qis renewed in knowledge raccording to the image of Him who screated him,

  11where there is neither tGreek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, ubut Christ is all and in all.

  Character of the New Man

  12Therefore, vas the elect of God, holy and beloved, wput on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

  13xbearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

  14yBut above all these things zput on love, which is the abond of perfection.

  15And let bthe peace of God rule in your hearts, cto which also you were called din one body; and ebe thankful.

  16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another fin psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

  17And gwhatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

  The Christian Home

  (cf. Eph. 5:21—6:9)

  18hWives, submit to your own husbands, ias is fitting in the Lord.

  19jHusbands, love your wives and do not be kbitter toward them.

  20lChildren, obey your parents min all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

  21nFathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

  22oBondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

  23pAnd whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

  24qknowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; rfor1 you serve the Lord Christ.

  25But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and sthere is no partiality.

  Colossians 4

  Christian Graces; Final Greetings

  1Masters,a give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

  Christian Graces

  2bContinue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it cwith thanksgiving;

  3dmeanwhile praying also for us, that God would eopen to us a door for the word, to speak fthe 1mystery of Christ, gfor which I am also in chains,

  4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

  5hWalk in iwisdom toward those who are outside, jredeeming the time.

  6Let your speech always be kwith grace, lseasoned with salt, mthat you may know how you ought to answer each one.

  Final Greetings

  (cf. Eph. 6:21, 22)

  7nTychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

  8oI am sending him to you for this very purpose, that 2he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

  9with pOnesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

  10qAristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with rMark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),

  11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

  12sEpaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always tlaboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand uperfect and 3complete in all the will of God.

  13For I bear him witness that he has a great 4zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

  14vLuke the beloved physician and wDemas greet you.

  15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and 5Nymphas and xthe church that is in 6his house.

  Closing Exhortations and Blessing

  16Now when ythis epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

  17And say to zArchippus, “Take heed to athe ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

  18bThis salutation by my own hand—Paul. cRemember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

  Colossians Commentaries

  Colossians 1

  1:1 Paul. For details on the Apostle Paul, see Introduction to Romans: Author and Date; see note on Acts 9:1. Timothy. Paul’s co-laborer and true child in the faith (see Introduction to 1 Timothy: Background and Setting; see note on Acts 16:1) was able to be with him because, although Paul was a prisoner, he had personal living quarters (Acts 28:16–31).

  Col. 1:1

  The Glories of Christ

  “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God…” (2 Cor. 3:5)

  One of the great tenets of Scripture is the claim that Jesus Christ is completely sufficient for all matters of life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3, 4)! He is sufficient for creation (Col. 1:16, 17), salvation (Heb. 10:10-12), sanctification (Eph. 5:26, 27), and glorification (Rom. 8:30). So pure is He that there is no blemish, stain, spot of sin, defilement, lying, deception, corruption, error, or imperfection (1 Pet. 1:18-20).

  So complete is He that there is no other God besides Him (Is. 45:5); He is the only begotten Son (John 1:14, 18); all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him (Col. 2:3); the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him (Col. 2:9); He is heir of all things (Heb. 1:2); He created all things and all things were made by Him, through Him, and for Him (Col. 1:16); He upholds all things by the word of His power (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3); He is the firstborn of all creation (Col. 1
:15); He is the exact representation of God (Heb. 1:3).

  He is the only Mediator between God and man; He is the Sun that enlightens; the Physician that heals; the Wall of Fire that defends; the Friend that comforts; the Pearl that enriches; the Ark that supports; and the Rock to sustain under the heaviest of pressures; He is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3; 8:1); He is better than the angels (Heb. 1:4-14); better than Moses; better than Aaron; better than Joshua; better than Melchizedek; better than all the prophets; greater than Satan (Luke 4:1-12); and stronger than death (1 Cor. 15:55).

  He has no beginning and no end (Rev. 1:17, 18); He is the spotless Lamb of God; He is our Peace (Eph. 2:14); He is our Hope (1 Tim. 1:1); He is our Life (Col. 3:4); He is the living and true Way (John 14:6); He is the Strength of Israel (1 Sam. 15:29); He is the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16); He is Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11); He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:1, 2); He is the Captain of our Salvation (Heb. 2:10); He is the Champion; He is the Elect One (Is. 42:1); He is the Apostle and High-Priest of our confession (Heb. 3:1); He is the Righteous Servant (Is. 53:11).

  He is the Lord of Hosts, the Redeemer—the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth (Is. 54:5); He is the Man of Sorrows (Is. 53:3); He is the Light; He is the Son of Man (Matt. 20:28); He is the Vine; He is the Bread of Life; He is the Door; He is Lord (Phil. 2:10-13); He is Prophet, Priest and King (Heb. 1:1-3); He is our Sabbath rest (Heb. 4:9); He is our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6); He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6); He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4); He is Lord God of hosts; He is Lord of the nations; He is the Lion of Judah; the Living Word; the Rock of Salvation; the Eternal Spirit; He is the Ancient of Days; Creator and Comforter; Messiah; and He is the great I AM (John 8:58)!

  1:2 saints. Those who have been separated from sin and set apart to God—the believers in Colosse (see note on 1 Cor. 1:2). faithful. A word used in the NT exclusively for believers. Cf. v. 4. Colosse. One of 3 cities in the Lycus River valley in the region of Phyrgia, in the Roman province of Asia (part of modern Turkey), about 100 mi. E of Ephesus (see Introduction: Background and Setting). Grace…and peace. Paul’s greeting in all 13 of his epistles (see note on Rom. 1:7).

  1:3 God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This designation was often used to show that Jesus was one in nature with God, as any true son is with his father. It was an affirmation of Christ’s deity (cf. Rom. 15:6; 2 Cor. 1:3; 11:13; Eph. 1:3; 3:14; 1 Pet. 1:3).

  1:4 faith in Christ Jesus. For discussion of saving faith see notes on Rom. 1:16; 10:4–17; James 2:14–26. love for all the saints. Cf. v. 8. One of the visible fruits of true saving faith is love for fellow believers (John 13:34, 35; Gal. 5:22; 1 John 2:10; 3:14–16).

  1:5 the hope which is laid up. The believer’s hope is inseparable from his faith. See notes on Rom. 5:2; 1 Pet. 1:3–5. the gospel. See note on Rom. 1:1. The Gr. word lit. means “good news,” and was used in classical Greek to express the good news of victory in a battle. The gospel is the good news of Christ’s victory over Satan, sin, and death.

  1:6 in all the world. Cf. v. 23, “every creature under heaven.” The gospel was never intended for an exclusive group of people; it is good news for the whole world (Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Rom. 1:8, 14, 16; 1 Thess. 1:8). It transcends all ethnic, geographic, cultural, and political boundaries. fruit. Refers to the saving effect of gospel preaching and to the growth of the church. See notes on Rom. 1:13; Phil. 1:22; cf. Matt. 13:3–8, 31, 32.

  1:7 Epaphras. The likely founder of the church at Colosse (see Introduction: Background and Setting).

  1:9 the knowledge of His will. The Gr. word for “knowledge” is the usual one, with an added preposition that intensifies its meaning. This is not an inner impression or feeling, but a deep and thorough knowledge of the will of God that is finally and completely revealed in the Word of God (3:16; Eph. 5:17; 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:18; 1 Tim. 2:4; 1 Pet. 2:13, 15; 4:19). wisdom and spiritual understanding. “Spiritual” modifies both “wisdom” (the ability to accumulate and organize principles from Scripture) and “understanding” (the application of those principles to daily living).

  1:10 walk worthy. This is a key NT concept which calls the believer to live in a way that is consistent with his identification with the Lord who saved him. See notes on Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:27. being fruitful in every good work. See notes on Rom. 1:13; Phil. 4:17. Spiritual fruit is the by-product of a righteous life. The Bible identifies spiritual fruit as leading people to Christ (1 Cor. 16:15), praising God (Heb. 13:15), giving money (Rom. 15:26–28), living a godly life (Heb. 12:11), and displaying holy attitudes (Gal. 5:22, 23). increasing in the knowledge of God. Spiritual growth cannot occur apart from this knowledge (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18). The evidences of spiritual growth include a deeper love for God’s Word (Ps. 119:97), a more perfect obedience (1 John 2:3–5), a strong doctrinal foundation (1 John 2:12–14), an expanding faith (2 Thess. 1:3; cf. 2 Cor. 10:5), and a greater love for others (Phil. 1:9).

  1:11 strengthened with all might. See notes on Eph. 3:16–20. patience and longsuffering. These terms are closely related and refer to the attitude one has during trials. “Patience” looks more at enduring difficult circumstances while “longsuffering” looks at enduring difficult people.

  1:12 qualified us. The Gr. word means “to make sufficient,” “to empower,” or “to authorize.” God qualifies us only through the finished work of the Savior. Apart from God’s grace through Jesus Christ, all people would be qualified only to receive His wrath. inheritance. Lit. “for the portion of the lot.” Each believer will receive his own individual portion of the total divine inheritance (see note on Rom. 8:17), an allusion to the partitioning of Israel’s inheritance in Canaan (cf. Num. 26:52–56; 33:51–54; Josh. 14:1, 2). See notes on 1 Pet. 1:3–5. in the light. Scripture represents “light” intellectually as divine truth (Ps. 119:130) and morally as divine purity (Eph. 5:8–14; 1 John 1:5). The saints’ inheritance exists in the spiritual realm of truth and purity where God Himself dwells (1 Tim. 6:16). Light, then, is a synonym for God’s kingdom. Cf. John 8:12; 2 Cor. 4:6; Rev. 21:23; 22:5.

  1:13 delivered us. The Gr. term means “to draw to oneself” or “to rescue,” and refers to the believer’s spiritual liberation by God from Satan’s kingdom, which, in contrast to the realm of light with truth and purity, is the realm of darkness (cf. Luke 22:53) with only deception and wickedness (1 John 2:9, 11). See note on Acts 26:18. kingdom. In its basic sense, a group of people ruled by a king. More than just the future, earthly millennial kingdom, this everlasting kingdom (2 Pet. 1:11) speaks of the realm of salvation in which all believers live in current and eternal spiritual relationship with God under the care and authority of Jesus Christ (see note on Matt. 3:2). the Son of His love. Cf. Matt. 3:17; 12:18; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 9:35; Eph. 1:6; 2 Pet. 1:17; see notes on John 17:23–26. The Father gave this kingdom to the Son He loves, as an expression of eternal love. That means that every person the Father calls and justifies is a love gift from Him to the Son. See notes on John 6:37, 44.

  1:14 redemption. The Gr. word means “to deliver by payment of a ransom,” and was used of freeing slaves from bondage. Here it refers to Christ freeing believing sinners from slavery to sin (cf. Eph. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:30; see note on Rom. 3:24). through His blood. Cf. v. 20. A reference, not limited to the fluid as if the blood had saving properties in its chemistry, but an expression pointing to the totality of Christ’s atoning work as a sacrifice for sin. This is a frequently used metonym in the NT (see Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 1:19). The word “cross” (as in v. 20) is used similarly to refer to the whole atoning work (see 1 Cor. 1:18; Gal. 6:12, 14; Eph. 2:16). See note on Rom. 5:9. the forgiveness of sins. The Gr. word is a composite of two words that mean “to pardon” or “grant remission of a penalty.” Cf. Ps. 103:12; Mic. 7:19; Eph. 1:7; see notes on 2 Cor. 5:19–21.

  1
:15–20 One component in the heresy threatening the Colossian church was the denial of the deity of Christ. Paul combats that damning element of heresy with an emphatic defense of Christ’s deity.

  1:15 image of the invisible God. See note on Heb. 1:3. The Gr. word for “image” is eiko¯n, from which the Eng. word “icon” derives. It means, “copy” or “likeness.” Jesus Christ is the perfect image—the exact likeness—of God and is in the very form of God (Phil. 2:6; cf. John 1:14; 14:9), and has been so from all eternity. By describing Jesus in this manner, Paul emphasizes that He is both the representation and manifestation of God. Thus, He is fully God in every way (cf. 2:9; John 8:58; 10:30–33; Heb. 1:8). the firstborn over all creation. Cf. v. 18. The Gr. word for “firstborn” can refer to one who was born first chronologically, but most often refers to preeminence in position, or rank (see note on Heb. 1:6; cf. Rom. 8:29). In both Greek and Jewish culture, the firstborn was the ranking son who had received the right of inheritance from his father, whether he was born first or not. It is used of Israel who, not being the first nation, was however the preeminent nation (cf. Ex. 4:22; Jer. 31:9). Firstborn in this context clearly means highest in rank, not first created (cf. Ps. 89:27; Rev. 1:5) for several reasons: 1) Christ cannot be both “first begotten” and “only begotten” (cf. John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9); 2) when the “firstborn” is one of a class, the class is in the plural form (cf. v. 18; Rom. 8:29), but “creation,” the class here, is in a singular form; 3) if Paul was teaching that Christ was a created being, he was agreeing with the heresy he was writing to refute; and 4) it is impossible for Christ to be both created, and the Creator of everything (v. 16). Thus Jesus is the firstborn in the sense that He has the preeminence (v. 18) and possesses the right of inheritance “over all creation” (cf. Heb. 1:2; Rev. 5:1–7, 13). He existed before the creation and is exalted in rank above it. See notes on Ps. 2:7; Rom. 8:29.