The Strand Study Bible
Written From Rome During Paul’s First Roman Imprisonment
COLOSSIANS
1993
important thing in the Bible. Even prophecy, though a major theme, should not constitute the whole of one’s preaching. The spiritual life, which is, without question a high priority doctrine, can be overdone. The largest circle includes all Christians. We have a certain kind of fellowship with them regardless of their affiliations or beliefs 4
Secondary doctrines amongst Christians should be just that –secondary. 1:26 Some things, according to the Apostle Paul, were not made manifest (clear as day) to the Gentile world, until the SON OF GOD arrived on the scene and “lit” the world with His Person (Jn 1:1-9, Lk 2:25-32 and Acts 13:44-49 & 18:6 & 28:28). In fact, Paul made it sound as if the Gentile world was in some sort of “mist” or “fog” (vaporous blanket) for the first 4,000 years of human history concerning the work of God. The work of God, not the salvation of God, is the issue here. The salvation of God through the knowledge of the Gospel was readily available to every person who truly wanted to know about it (Mt 13:16-17 and Acts 3:20-24 & 7:51-52 & 10:42-43). Abel understood the Gospel and was martyred for it (Gen 4:1-7 and Lk 11:49-51). Abraham understood the Gospel (Gal 3:6- 8 and Jn 8:56), as did Moses (Heb 3:15-4:2), as did Isaiah (Rom 10:13-16). Again, “ the mystery which hath been hid… ” from the Gentiles was not how God saved, but how God worked . Before the SON arrived and gave to the world the Jewish/Gentile Church, God chose to perform His work through the nation of Israel (which, at the time, made up about 3% of the world’s population). The other 97% of the world’s population had to wait until the SON arrived to be included in God’s work. Now that the SON has arrived, 100% of the world can participate in God’s work ( Gal 4:1 ). NOTE - Up until the fourth day of creation the world was in a “vaporous blanket” ( Gen 1:14 a ), until the sun showed up. Just as the s-u-n on the fourth day melted away the lower atmosphere of its “hindering mist,” so the S - O - N 4,000 years after creation melted away the “vaporous blanket” the Gentiles were in when He came to show the world how God worked amongst men. 1:27 The “ mystery ” Paul spoke of here is in reference to the Gentiles becoming a part of the work God started with the Jewish Church ( Eph 3:3-6 ). 1:28 The goal of every pastor is to be to bring the people of God to “perfection” (maturity), the adult stage in the Christian life ( Mt 5:48b and Heb 6:1b ). 2:8 Paul warned Christians to steer clear of Grecian philosophy ( atheism , evolution , and humanism ), which permeated the world at that time ( Mt 12:12 and Acts 17:18 a,b,c ). Whereas science is defined as the study of observable facts and/or events ( I Tim 6:20 ), philosophy is the pursuit of human wisdom through avenues other than observation. 2:9 CHRIST displayed the possession of every known moral and natural attribute of deity ( all the fulness of the Godhead bodily ) while He walked the earth in human flesh. The attributes of God are those distinguishing characteristics of the nature of God which are inseparable from the idea of deity, and which constitute the basis and grounds for His conduct and revelation toward His creatures ( Rom 1:20 a and Psa 145:2 ). For example, * No created being possesses a self-affirming purity; holiness is resident in God alone. Yet, holiness was resident in Jesus (Exo 12:1-5, I Pet 1:18-19, Isa 53:9, Mt 26:59-60, Jn 8:45-46, II Cor 5:21, Heb 4:15 & 7:26 and I Pet 2:21-22). * No created being possesses that principle of God’s nature which affirms the certainty of the punishment of wrong-doing; justice/righteousness is resident in God alone. Yet, justice/righteousness was resident in Jesus (Mt 21:12-17 & 23:23-33). * No created being possesses that principle of God’s nature which leads Him to seek the temporal good and eternal welfare of those who have opposed themselves to His will; mercy is resident in God alone. Yet, mercy was resident in Jesus (Jn 8:1-11). * No created being possesses that eternal principle of God’s nature which leads Him to love the unlovely unreservedly; unconditional love is resident in God alone. Yet, love was resident in Jesus (II Cor 5:14). * No created being possesses that eternal principle of God’s nature which leads Him to always keep His word; truth is resident in God alone. Truth is any conception which coincides with fact. Yet, truth was resident in Jesus (Jn 14:6). * No created being possesses that eternal principle of God’s nature which leads Him to always be trustworthy; faithfulness is resident in God alone. Yet, faithfulness was resident in Jesus (Rev 19:11). * No created being possesses that eternal principle of God’s nature which leads Him to always be benevolent; kindness is resident in God alone. Yet, kindness/compassion was resident in Jesus (Jn 14:6-11). * No created being possesses all power; omnipotence is resident in God alone. Yet, omnipotence was resident in Jesus (Mt 28:18). * No created being possesses the power of unlimited sight and unrestricted knowledge concerning all things; omniscience is resident in God alone. Yet, omniscience was resident in Jesus ( Jn 1:49 & 2:24 -25). * No created being possesses imminence and ubiquity; omnipresence is resident in God alone, for God is not limited by the time- space concepts of a physical creation. Yet, omnipresence was resident in Jesus (Mt 18:19-20 & 28:20). * No created being possesses that eternal principle of God’s nature, which leads Him to always be unchangeable; immutability is resident in God alone ( Heb 6:13 - 18 ). Yet, eternal immutability was resident in Jesus (Heb 13:8). NOTE – There is no denying it – CHRIST is a part of the Triune Godhead and was thus God in flesh!
1 Dolphin, Lambert. “What Holds The Universe Together?” Idolphin.org . 18 Dec 2001. 14 Jan 2008
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker