Colossenses 1
John Wesley · Citado em PreceptAustin
Colossenses 1:1
Wesley wrote Jesus, Lover of My Soul with these great words (in bold below) which could have been the theme of Colossians - Thou, O Christ, art all I want, More than all in Thee I find. Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,, Heal the sick, and lead the blind. Just and holy is Thy name; I am all unrighteousness: False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace. (Play this great hymn to Him) Recommended Resources for a Overview of Colossians:: Background on Colossians - Hampton Keathley, III (excellent!) Colossians Overview - John MacArthur Analysis of Colossians - James Van Dine Book of Colossians Overview - Charles Swindoll (see chart in upper right) Colossians Overview - NIV Study Bible Keys to Colossians - William Orr Colossians - Synthetic Bible Studies - James Gray Keys to Colossians - Willam Orr Colossians - Through the Bible Book by Book - Myer Pearlman Paul...apostle (Ro 1:1, 1Cor 1:1, 2Cor 1:1, Gal 1:1, Eph 1:1, Col 1:1, 1Ti 1:1, Titus 1:1) - note the repetition of this key phrase in Paul's letters. Why was Paul an apostle? Was it because he chose to be? Look at the cross references above for the answer. Paul was a man with a mission ("missionary" is the word in Latin which corresponds to apostle) having been commissioned by Christ Himself, Whose will was made known in ((Acts 9:15+ Acts 22:14, 15, 21+ Acts 26:16, 17,18+). See in depth article on Paul the Apostle. Paul (3972) is from Latin, Paulos meaning "little, small". Before his Damascus Road experience he was known by his Hebrew name Saul (Greek Saulos) which means "desired" or "ask" (derived from Hebrew word for "ask") Paul further explained that he was "an apostle not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, Who raised Him from the dead." (Gal 1:1+) Paul was commissioned as Christ's "chosen instrument" (Acts 9:15+) and ambassador to the Gentiles with a message of reconciliation (Ro 5:11+, 2Co 5:18,19+), a message that he "neither received...from man, nor was... taught, but ... through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Gal 1:12+). In (Ro 1:5+) Paul added that "through (Jesus Christ our Lord) we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake. Peake explains why Paul used apostle in this opening - "The reference to his apostleship is not due to any attack on his apostolic authority or teaching, as in the case of the Epistles to the Galatians or Corinthians, but, as in the Epistle to the Romans, to the fact that he was unknown to those to whom he was writing. Similarly reference is made to it in the Epistle to the Ephesians, the letter being sent to Churches, to some of which, probably, Paul was unknown. In writing to the Macedonian Churches it is not mentioned, for they had been founded by him and remained loyal." (Colossians 1 - The Expositor's Greek Testament) ILLUSTRATION - In Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting of The Last Supper, our Lord’s hands are empty. And therein lies an inspiring story. Da Vinci dedicated 3 years to this painting, determined that it would be his crowning work. Before the unveiling, he decided to show it to a friend for whose opinion he had the utmost respect. The friend’s praise was unbounded. “The cup in Jesus’ hand,” he said, “is especially beautiful.” Disappointed at once Da Vinci began to paint out the cup. Astonished, the distinguished friend asked for an explanation. “Nothing,” Da Vinci explained, “must distract from the figure of Christ.” Da Vinci focused attention solely on Christ by removing the distraction of the cup. Having removed the cup, he had to do something with the hand. The left hand was already outstretched just above the table, lifting, as if to bless and command. Now the right hand, also empty, was also outstretched invitingly. This seems to have been Paul’s purpose in this postcard to the church of Colossae. (from Brian Bell) Related Resources: Paul - Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Paul the Apostle - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Paul the Apostle - Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Paul - Holman Bible Dictionary Paul - Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament Paul (2) - Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament Apostle (652) (apostolos from apostello = send in turn from apo = off from + stello = send) (Click for another discussion) which literally means "sent one". Apostolos was a technical word designating an individual sent from someone else with the sender's commission, the necessary credentials, the sender's authority and the implicit responsibility to accomplish a mission or assignment. In a word an apostle is a "sent one!" THOUGHT - Beloved, are we not all "SENT ONES" in a practical sense? Indeed, As far as your neighbors are concerned, YOU are Christ's ambassador, whether you like it or not. And who is your neighbor? Whoever is near (the root meaning of the word neighbor! See neighbor = plesion) We have a charge to proclaim the excellencies of Him Who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Pe 2:9-10+) We are to live in such a way before the fallen world that we "sanctify Christ as Lord in (our) hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks (us) to give an account for the hope that is in (us), yet with gentleness and reverence." (1Pe 3:15+) May God grant that our watchword be "Here I am Lord. Send me!" (Isa 6:8+, cp 1 Cor 1:17) Take courage, for you do not have to do it on your own...just follow the template of the faithful brethren and "filled with the Holy Spirit, (begin) to speak the Word of God (the Gospel) with boldness." (Acts 4:31+, cp Acts 1:8+, Acts 9:28+, Acts 14:3+, Acts 18:26+, Acts 19:8+, Eph 6:20+, 1Th 2:2+) Secular Greek writer Demosthenes gives a word picture of "apostolos" noting that it was used to describe a cargo ship sent out with a load. Demosthenes also described a naval fleet as "apostles" sent out to accomplish a mission. William
Colossenses 1:2
Wesley - "The first priority of my life is to be holy, and the second goal of my life is to be a scholar." C. S. Lewis - "Sainthood lies in the habit of referring the smallest actions to God." William