Saturday, June 13, 2026
The gospel message Col 1
A reading of Colossians 1: 1: 5-23.
Paul has assured his readers in the Lycus Valley that when they received the preaching of Epaphras, they had received the true grace of God in receiving his gospel which was Paul’s gospel. This was in the context of their being visited by teachers of other versions of “the gospel” who came with additional “knowledge, rites and seasons”. These were unnecessary because Christ was supreme in creation and redemption and they had been reconciled to God by his Christ.
Firstly, Paul reminded them that Christ is supreme in creation. As the Son of God, he is not only the image of the invisible God but also the whole fullness of God dwells in him. He is both the creator and the heir of all things. Through him all things were created, both on earth and in the heavens. This included what could be seen and not seen. It included all things earthly and all things spiritual. Angels and demons were created through him. Moreover, he is eternal when all other things have their time. He is not only creator, but also the sustainer of all things. He is absolutely supreme in creation (1:15-18).
Secondly, Paul reminded the Colossians that Christ is supreme in redemption. Christ is also the head of the new humanity, the church. By his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection the new humanity had its origin and it’s life. Such is his person, in which the fullness of God dwells, and such is his death on the cross not only have the believers become right before God but also the new creation has been born. All things in heaven and all things on earth have been affected so that the new heaven and the new earth have come into existence by his work, by his physical life crucified. The whole of creation has now the hope of being at peace with God (1:19-20).
Thirdly, Paul reminded the Colossians that although once they used to be enemies with God in their minds because of their evil behaviour, they now are at peace with God because of Christ’s death and resurrection. However, God’s work doesn’t stop there. The ultimate goal is that they will be “holy, without blemish and free from accusation” before God at the day of judgement. The proviso is that they continue in the faith that has been delivered to them by Paul through Epaphras, so they are to stand firm in it.
They are not to add to that gospel the offerings of the false teachers who are visiting the province. The gospel which was delivered to them by Epaphras is the gospel which has been delivered to the Roman world by the apostle Paul, by the 12 apostles of Christ, by the believers on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem and is the gospel which is proclaimed by the whole of creation itself (Rom. 1: 19 –20). Like the God who preaches it, it is eternal!
Paul has assured his readers in the Lycus Valley that when they received the preaching of Epaphras, they had received the true grace of God in receiving his gospel which was Paul’s gospel. This was in the context of their being visited by teachers of other versions of “the gospel” who came with additional “knowledge, rites and seasons”. These were unnecessary because Christ was supreme in creation and redemption and they had been reconciled to God by his Christ.
Firstly, Paul reminded them that Christ is supreme in creation. As the Son of God, he is not only the image of the invisible God but also the whole fullness of God dwells in him. He is both the creator and the heir of all things. Through him all things were created, both on earth and in the heavens. This included what could be seen and not seen. It included all things earthly and all things spiritual. Angels and demons were created through him. Moreover, he is eternal when all other things have their time. He is not only creator, but also the sustainer of all things. He is absolutely supreme in creation (1:15-18).
Secondly, Paul reminded the Colossians that Christ is supreme in redemption. Christ is also the head of the new humanity, the church. By his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection the new humanity had its origin and it’s life. Such is his person, in which the fullness of God dwells, and such is his death on the cross not only have the believers become right before God but also the new creation has been born. All things in heaven and all things on earth have been affected so that the new heaven and the new earth have come into existence by his work, by his physical life crucified. The whole of creation has now the hope of being at peace with God (1:19-20).
Thirdly, Paul reminded the Colossians that although once they used to be enemies with God in their minds because of their evil behaviour, they now are at peace with God because of Christ’s death and resurrection. However, God’s work doesn’t stop there. The ultimate goal is that they will be “holy, without blemish and free from accusation” before God at the day of judgement. The proviso is that they continue in the faith that has been delivered to them by Paul through Epaphras, so they are to stand firm in it.
They are not to add to that gospel the offerings of the false teachers who are visiting the province. The gospel which was delivered to them by Epaphras is the gospel which has been delivered to the Roman world by the apostle Paul, by the 12 apostles of Christ, by the believers on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem and is the gospel which is proclaimed by the whole of creation itself (Rom. 1: 19 –20). Like the God who preaches it, it is eternal!
# posted by Groseys messages @ 8:48 AM 
