Colossians 1:24

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

-Colossians 1:24

I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.

-Colossians 1:24 (NLT)

Whenever I read this verse in my bible, I find it hard to understand.  That's why I wrote in the margins: "NLT, AMP".  That's a note to tell myself to go read the NLT or the AMP versions.  Those versions help me to understand this verse a bit better.  The first part is easy where Paul is basically saying that he's happy for his sufferings for their sake.  It is a weird thing to say since it's weird to be happy for sufferings.  Usually, sufferings are bad things.  Perhaps it's important to note that the sufferings are for their sake.  So, he's not suffering for no reason or for a stupid reason.  The other part is the more confusing part, but I guess it's not that confusing.  What confuses me is that Paul is somehow "filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions", which is a weird thing for me to understand.  It's easier for me to understand that it says in NLT, that he is participating in Christ's sufferings.  Now, the NLT version probably misses a bit out of the understanding of this verse, but that is at least something to help me understand what Paul is saying here.  He is suffering for them and his sufferings are in some nature the sufferings of Christ.  How he is "filling up" in Christ's afflictions, I don't understand.  More importantly, I don't understand how it can be lacking in any way.  Perhaps since Jesus has died and been raised, Jesus can't suffer in the same way that Paul is currently suffering for them.  I'm not to saying that what Jesus did wasn't sufficient.  However, perhaps the "lacking" would be referring to the current task and work at hand which Paul is taking up.  It is still because of Christ that Paul suffers and Jesus is preeminent, so Paul is really doing Christ's work of suffering in the current things in some sense.  So, maybe that's why NLT just said "participating".  In any case, Paul is glad for his sufferings that he experiences for them and it is also Christ's sufferings too, which probably also makes Paul happy.

Colossians 1:23

if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

-Colossians 1:23

[and He will do this] if you continue in the faith, well-grounded and steadfast, and not shifting away from the [confident] hope [that is a result] of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which [gospel] I, Paul, was made a minister.

-Colossians 1:23 (AMP)

We know that it is not according to works that we are saved, but by grace through faith.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

-Ephesians 2:8-9

So, when we come to passages like this one in Colossians, it may seem like salvation by works.  It does say that Jesus' reconciling and presenting us blameless hinges on whether or not we continue in the faith.  It sounds like a work we need to do in order to be saved.  So, how do we reconcile these two opposite things?  On one hand, salvation is by grace through faith.  On the other hand, it seems as if we will only be saved if we continue in faith.  I've been listening to a lot of music lately, so some of the words are fresh in my mind:

"But I thought salvation's through faith alone?
Yes, but this faith is shown by those who make it home
Because Christ words are clear
Those who are saved endure to the end and persevere"

-Pressing Into the Kingdom, Timothy Brindle

"Killing Sin is not a prescription of how to be forgiven.It’s a description of the Christian who is forgiven by trusting in the risen Christ who took our wrath and affliction.
Killing Sin is not a prescription of how to be forgiven but it’s a description of the Christian who is forgiven and the Spirit now convicts them to put off and kill their sick sin"

-Fruit Inspection, Timothy Brindle

If you are saved, you are one who will persevere.  The endurance is not how to be saved, but it's what saved people do.  Saved people persevere to the end.  Let's be reminded of the hope of the gospel and endure to the end.

Colossians 1:22

he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

-Colossians 1:22

What's interesting is that in NLT and AMP this verse begins with the word "yet".  In spite or in contrast of what was said in verse 21, "he has now reconciled".  I find that pretty cool.

Looking further in this verse, we see why or the reason: "in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him".  The reason for this reconciling is a spotless presentation before him.  This reminds me of the illustration of Christ and the Church through husbands and wives in Ephesians 5:

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

-Ephesians 5:25-33

This describes how Christ lived the church.  He sanctifies her and cleanses her.  Verse 27 is very similar to our verse in Colossians, "so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish".  The purpose is a spotless presentation to himself.

I noticed another interesting thing.  Here in Ephesians, the church is being presented to himself (Christ).  However, if you look at Colossians, the Amplified version takes the liberty to say that we are being presented to the Father.  I find that very interesting.

In any case, we are being sanctified and reconciled in order to be presented spotless before him.  His sacrifice shows he loves and cares for us.  For his purpose of presenting us reminds me of his preeminence and how great he is.  It also makes me think about how much he delights in us.  For the purpose to focus on God (presenting us to himself) might sound like a bad thing, but I find great comfort in it.

Colossians 1:21-22

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

-Colossians 1:21-22

We have just read how God has reconciled all things to himself through Jesus.  Now, Paul focuses on the reader by addressing them directly "and you".  Not only has God reconciled all things, but you have been reconciled too.  To paint a bigger picture of the gravity of that, we (the reader and believer) are reminded of what we once were.  We "once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds".  I am reminded of Ephesians 2:

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

-Ephesians 2:1-3

We have been reconciled.  We needed to be reconciled.  Thank God that we were.

Colossians 1:19-20

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
-Colossians 1:19-20

For God in all his fullness
    was pleased to live in Christ,
and through him God reconciled
    everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
    by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
-Colossians 1:19-20 (NLT)

For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son), and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven.
-Colossians 1:19-20 (AMP)

Since this verse begins with the word "For", there is some sort of link or connection.  I believe it is directly related to the previous verse.  It's either that or it is connected to the beginning of a larger idea in verse 18.  I guess you could say that's also true in some sense, but it's probably more closely and directly related to the previous verse.  So, Jesus being "the beginning, the firstborn from the dead", which leads to the idea "that in everything he might be preeminent" is connected to the next set of ideas.  There are actually two ideas in verse 19 and verse 20.  The first is "in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" and the second is "through him to reconcile to himself all things".

Thinking about it some more, I think it's actually linked to "the firstborn from the dead".  God dwelling in Jesus and reconciling all things hinges on Jesus' death and resurrection.  Him being the firstborn from the dead is how all things are reconciled.  The reconciling is happening through Jesus and I guess that's why God dwelling in Jesus is important too.  In any case, Jesus is the firstborn from the dead and is first in everything.  Jesus, who created all things and exists before all things, is now the reconcile-er of all things.  Or rather, you might argue that God is the reconcile-er of all things and it is done through Jesus.  It still leaves Jesus ad first in everything.  Taking a step back, this shows the centrality of Jesus (duh) and leads me to praise him all the more (as most of this passage does).

Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

-Colossians 1:18

Christ is also the head of the church,
    which is his body.
He is the beginning,
    supreme over all who rise from the dead.
    So he is first in everything.

-Colossians 1:18 (NLT)

Earlier, Paul said that Jesus is "the firstborn of all creation".  Now, Paul says that he is "the firstborn from the dead".  How are these two different?  What does it mean?

"The firstborn of all creation" doesn't mean that Jesus was the first created being/thing.  Though I don't know fully, I know it relates to the fact that Jesus created all things, existed before all things and hold all things together.  Now, moving on to "the firstborn from the dead", we can look ahead and see that it relates to, "that in everything he might be preeminent".  Jesus being "the firstborn from the dead" (and perhaps also the fact that Jesus "is the beginning") logically leads to or results that "in everything he might be preeminent".  I get that from the word "that" in the verse.  So, whatever "firstborn from the dead" means, it is linked to Jesus being preeminent in everything.

NLT easily shows where they stand on the meaning of the phrase by putting it plainly: "supreme over all who rise from the dead".  Why was Jesus supreme over all who rise from the dead?  That question has so much depth to it and as I think about the answer, I am overwhelmed by Jesus and his death and resurrection.  I'm afraid to do the question injustice by my answer.  Maybe I'll just say that Jesus is awesome and I don't have to think hard to see why he should be preeminent in everything.

Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

-Colossians 1:18

In this verse begins a slight break in the idea of the passage.  Not all bible translations have it here and its location is actually still up for debate.  But, I will place my vote that "He is the beginning..." is the start of this slight break.

More importantly, what does it mean and why is it being said?  Earlier, Paul says that he is "the firstborn of all creation" and "he is before all things".  How does this statement relate to what Paul has already said?  How is it any different than what Paul has already said?  Is it the same thing to say that Jesus is "before all things" and "he is the beginning"?  If they are the same, why say it?  Well, it probably doesn't mean quite the same thing.  Everything has a purpose and is placed there for a reason.  "before all things" probably makes reference to Jesus' existence before all things.  However, to say that Jesus is the beginning is a little bit different.

What's interesting is the word in Greek is also translated as "principalities" or "authorities".  If we look back a few verses, we find that it's the same word used in verse 16: "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."  So, Jesus created authorities, and he IS the authority.  I just thought that was a neat little connection.

This interesting phrase is found in Revelation 22:13: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end".  This is another place where Jesus is being referred to as "the beginning".  In this case, he is also being called "the Alpha" and "the Omega" and "the last".  I guess saying that Jesus "is the beginning" is something great and it leaves me in awe of him.

Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

-Colossians 1:18

He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.

-Colossians 1:18 (AMP)

I guess this one isn't too complicated.  Jesus "is the head of the body, the church".  The body is the same thing as the church, so it is saying that Jesus is the head of the church.  In what way is he the head, or what does it mean to be the head?  I like how the Amplified version gives its opinion: "the life-source and leader".  I guess it's also no coincidence that the idea of a head with respect to a body is placed here.  Maybe the simplest way I'd put it is to say that what Jesus is to the church is what a head is to a body.  Does a body live without a head?  What does the head do for the body?  The head has eyes, ears, mouth and nose.  So, most senses are taken from the head.  More importantly, a head has a brain.  We are the church, are we not?  Jesus is our head and it is important that we value and treat him as such.

Colossians 1:17

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

-Colossians 1:17

He existed before anything else,
    and he holds all creation together.

-Colossians 1:17 (NLT)

And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.]

-Colossians 1:17 (AMP)

How is it that "in him all things hold together"?  What does that even mean?  We see the term "all things" again, but now it's being applied to whatever "hold together" means.  Obviously, Jesus is still the primary actor in this, since it begins with "in him".  Jesus created "all things", existed before "all things" and now it says that he holds "all things" together.  Perhaps it means that he keeps things in order and motion, like keeping the earth spinning and the sun shining.  That certainly isn't impossible and I wouldn't put it past him since he did created it all.  If that's the case (or something like it), I guess it somewhat points to his current action in the state of all things.  Not only does he create all things, but he steps into the current existence of all things instead of stepping aside and leaving it alone.  The Amplified version would point in that direction in any case since it adds "[His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.]".  It comforts me to know that Jesus isn't just taking a back seat in his creation.  Perhaps it also implies that if Jesus were to stop holding together all things, it would all collapse or explode.  In any case, I will put my trust in him.

Colossians 1:17

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

-Colossians 1:17

What does it mean that Jesus is before all things?  Once again, we see the words "all things" being used, so maybe the word "before" should deserve our focus.  I'm not exactly sure what "before" means in this verse, but I found some of the other translations to help see what their point of view was.

He existed before anything else,

-Colossians 1:17a (NLT)

And He Himself existed and is before all things

-Colossians 1:17a (AMP)

According to those translations, they tend to lean towards having the word "before" be used in reference to Jesus' existence.  To say that Jesus is "before all things" is to say that he existed before all things.  I guess that makes sense if he created everything.  However, my question is: why did Paul say that Jesus existed before everything if he has just finished saying that Jesus created everything?  Perhaps to me, Paul didn't need to add that Jesus existed before everything since he just said that Jesus created everything.  However, the inspired word of God was not written by me, but each and every word has been placed there by God.  Even if I think it's redundant and not necessary, God obviously thought it important to be included.  Though, it's possible that it means something more than just that Jesus existed before all things.

I'm not an expert in Greek, but the word "before" is used also in 1 Peter 4:8

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

-1 Peter 4:8

The word "Above" in 1 Peter 4:8 is the same word as "before" in Colossians 1:17.  Perhaps, could this be more in reference to the fact that Jesus is above all things?

I'm not quite sure, though I'd probably lean towards Jesus existing before all things.  Regardless, I will still stand in awe and amazement of Jesus, our Lord.

Colossians 1:16

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:16

What's really interesting to me is how in this verse it is said that all things were created by, through and for Jesus.  There's even a footnote in both ESV and AMP that says the first "by" can be "in" instead.  So, all things were created by, in, through and for Jesus.  Jesus seems to be the creator or the initiator in this creation process of all things.  What's most interesting to me is that all things were created for him.  Not only does he create all things, but the creation purpose or the purpose of these things are ultimately for Jesus himself.  I am a created thing and the reason why I was created was for Jesus.  Many people go about their lives living for themselves.  It's a common mentality to have.  Some may deny it, but secretly they may still live this way.  You can argue that some people live for other things if you want.  Unfortunately, most do not live for Jesus, even professing Christians.  Let us live for what we were created for and fulfill our purpose.

I guess some people might argue that living for Jesus is ridiculous or stupid.  They might think that Jesus is selfish or wrong to claim or determine our purpose.  Some might think that living for Jesus is boring and an unfulfilling way to live.  Even though they may not agree, I will still have a few things to say to them:

"What is the cheif end of man?  The cheif end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever."

-Westminister Catechism, Question and Answer #1

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."

-Desiring God

I find it to be true that the more I follow Jesus, the more joy I have.  Conversely, the more I disobey and turn away from Jesus, the less joy my life has in the end.  He made me and he made me for a purpose.  When I aim to fulfill that purpose, it ends better for me, and that's the way he made me.

Colossians 1:16

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

-Colossians 1:16

So, what does it mean for Jesus to be "the image of the invisible God" and for him to be "the firstborn of all creation"?  It means that all things were created by him, through him and for him.  Paul even goes on to start listing some categories that fall within "all things".  Just in case you thought "all things" was limited to earth or heaven, he lists both.  "All things" also includes things you can see and things you can't see.  I don't know if it would've been helpful for Paul to be more specific about what he meant by "all things", because he helps to describe that "all things" really does mean all things.  Now I understand that some will say that it's implied that Jesus himself is excluded from the definition of "all things" by way to mean that Jesus was created before "all things" were created.  I don't think that Jesus was created and I do believe that Jesus is God.  By him and through him and for him were all things created.  This little verse is a small window into helping us understand what Paul meant by saying that he is the "image of the invisible God" and that he is "the firstborn of all creation".  Part of that means that he created everything.  I don't think it means that he was the first created being, which some may think "the firstborn of all creation" means.  I don't see how saying that Jesus was the first created thing is supported by the fact that Jesus created everything (or everything else, if that's the case).

Colossians 1:15

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

-Colossians 1:15 (ESV)

What does it mean that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God" and what does it mean that he is "the firstborn of all creation"?  I think these two are linked somehow.  I take that from the way the verse is structured with the comma in the middle of it.  Yes, I know that when it was originally written, it wasn't written in the English language.  However, this is my limitation and from my understanding and careful study of the verse, that is my conclusion.  I think that these two things are somewhat linked and somewhat describing similar, if not, the same thing.  More importantly, we must ask what they mean.  What does it mean to be "the image of the invisible God" and what does it mean to be "the firstborn of all creation"?  Lucky for us, there is the word "for" at the beginning of the next verse.  This link shows us that immediately following verse 15, Paul goes on to help us understand what he means by saying that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God" and "the firstborn of all creation".  Unfortunately, some people are too quick to see verse 15 and conclude that Jesus is not God since he is merely "the image" of God.  Perhaps some might conclude that Jesus was created or separate from God because he is described here as "the firstborn of all creation".  Let's hold on to our hats and look deeper into what Paul is saying here about Jesus.  Though I am no expert in any sense of the word, I do like the Amplified version and perhaps a read over of this might help us in our understanding of this passage.  It doesn't hold all the answers, but it's still enjoyable for me to read.  The word is so rich and beautiful, but it still holds many mysteries.  We will read it for a lifetime and still find God's truth surprising us again and again.

He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.

-Colossians 1:15 (AMP)

Colossians 1:15-20

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

-Colossians 1:15-20

This is a really cool passage of scripture.  Jesus, "his beloved Son", is the one "in whome we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins".  Paul now goes in some great and beautiful detail about Jesus.  I think it's silly for people who deny the deity of Christ to look at this passage and think it supports their case.  Unfortunately, they will continue to do so and it's sad.  Regardless, let us see him for who he truly is and glorify him all the more.  I really do enjoy this passage and thank God for him and his word.  I'll continue on next time going into detail about the different parts of this passage.

Colossians 1:13-14

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

-Colossians 1:13-14

The first "He" in these verses is, of course, still referring to God the Father.  He qualifies us and has delivered us and has transferred us.  At the end, the focus shifts towards the Son.  First of all, the kingdom we're being transferred to is the kingdom of the Son.  Paul then focuses us on the fact that we have redemption and forgiveness in him.  It's very interesting that Paul makes it clear that God the Father qualifies, delivers and transfers us, but we're also told that we have redemption and forgiveness in the Son.  I'm not always sure and often get confused about specific roles between the Father, the Son and the Spirit, but here we see some distinction.  Unfortunately, it's still not all that clear to me.  Though I may not be all that smart or clear about these different roles, I know that I can still be thankful to the Son who has purchased my freedom.  I am forgiven, and to him I give my praise.  Paul will next go on to this really great section about Christ, but we'll save that for next time.