As we begin our journey through the letter to the church in Colossae, it is worth noting some details about it. Colossae, located some 10 miles southeast of Laodicea, was once a “flourishing commercial community” {Michael Weed, commentary on Colossians). It was Epaphras, a “dear fellow servant” (v7) of Paul’s, who first brought the gospel to this area resulting in the establishment of the church there, and as some others surmise, also to Laodicea (note Colossians 4:15). Traditionally speaking, the church consisted mainly of Gentile converts but was not void of Jewish influences. Although the apostle Paul had not gone there personally (2:1), he had an intimate connection with them, most likely through the work of Epaphras.
So, we come to the salutation, a part often overlooked. Paul writes, “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse” (1:2). In several of Paul’s letters, as he prepares to encourage and challenge his readers, some who have wandered from the truth, he begins with affirming words. To the church in Corinth, which was so misguided, he begins, “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” (1st Corinthians 1:2). The point is simple, affirming words are often the gateway towards helping someone remember who they are and better realize why change may be needed. And so, the affirming words continue.
“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints.”
Colossians 1:3
Paul gave thanks to the “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Epaphras’s report was the basis of that thanksgiving. That report “declared to us your love in the Spirit” (1:8). Word had gotten out that the church in Colosse was loving. Later on, Paul would go on to talk about his desire that “their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ” (Colossians 2:2) and that they “put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:14). As we will see later in this series, there is always room for growth; change is critical to one’s well-being. Still, it is good to hear the things you are doing right. So, where did this love come from?
“…because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven,
of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel…”
Colossians 1:5
Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Without Christ, there is no hope.” RC Sproul wrote, “Hope is called the anchor of the soul because it gives stability to the Christian life. But hope is not simply a ‘wish,’…it is that which latches on to the certainty of the promises of the future that God has made.” The writer of Hebrews wrote long ago, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Real hope looks to the future with great anticipation while giving purpose to the life we now live. Paul wrote later to the church in Rome saying, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) We find the message of hope in the gospel (1:5-6, 23) of Christ Jesus. It becomes “the hope of glory” (1:27) for those who accept it and continue to grow through the work of the Holy Spirit.
In the weeks ahead, we will consider the challenges the church in Colosse faced, and the urgent plead for them to stay the course and not get distracted. But for today, let’s consider the impact the gospel had on them and the love displayed because of it. It may be true that Colosse had lost its commercial influence, but they have come to know something of far greater value and made it a point to share it with others. Have a blessed day.
Dennis
Biddeford Church of Christ 