Insights into the Book of Colossians Between newsletters showing the prophetic significance of current events and other Biblical perspectives, we proceed through the scriptures, a book at a time. Today, we are covering the book of Colossians. As we continue through the Word, please reference the Chapters in your Bible covered in this email. This email will not repeat the text but will add context, historical setting, and other significant meanings of the passages. It is highly recommended that you follow along with the most accurate Greek-to-English translation today, The Pure Word, but please feel free to use your preferred version of the Scriptures as well. We recently finished the book of Mark. If you missed any of it, or our most requested insights on the book of Ephesians, send us an email at update@onepathpublishing.com, and we'll be happy to send them. Introduction of Colossians The Ephesians focused on the church being the body of Christ, whereas the Colossians focused on Christ being the head of the church and that our first priority must be that every aspect of our lives be following Christ, and that under no conditions are we to walk outside of Christ, and He must consume every aspect of our lives. The first two chapters (1 and 2) provide doctrine, and the last two (3 and 4) show that Christ must be first in everything, and that a Christian’s life should reflect that priority. Paul has never been to this church, but Paul’s ministry in Ephesus is probably what spread to this city in Asia Minor. Paul wrote to them to correct them of the heresies that had entered this church. One of them was Gnosticism (meaning “to know”), which denies the deity of Jesus Christ, and another was Judaism, which added the mixture of works along with faith for salvation. This was written around 64AD when Paul was in prison in Rome the first time. Colossians 1 v. 1-8: Since Paul will be addressing issues of doctrine, he addresses them as an apostle, letting them know that he has authority in these matters. He addresses them as (1) saints, (2) faithful brethren, and (3) in Christ. Paul was a man of prayer, as we should always be, and he mentions praying for them in every prayer. He also declares at this time that the gospel has gone into the entire world (only 32 years after the death of Christ). v. 9-18: Paul’s first petition in prayer for the Colossians is that (1) they be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. He also asks that (2) they walk worthy of the Lord and be fruitful in every good work; and (3) increase in the knowledge of God (read the Word of God). We should give thanks to the Father who has qualified us to receive an inheritance and has delivered us from darkness and made us citizens of his kingdom through the Blood of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of our sins. By Christ were all things created in heaven and in earth, and all things were created through Him and for Him, and Christ is the head of the body (the church), who is the firstborn from the dead. In all things Christ has the preeminence, and he should reign first in our lives! v. 19-23: We were rebelling and warring against God, but Jesus Christ provided reconciliation through His death and resurrection so that we may, through our faith in and following, Jesus Christ, present ourselves blameless in His sight if we continue in the faith and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel. v. 24-29: Paul is pleased and feels it to be a privilege that he suffers for Jesus’ sake, as should we! The natural man hates Jesus, so when man hates you for living for Christ, they are really hating Jesus, and it is a joy to be associated with the company of Jesus and receive the abuse yourself. The great mystery that had been hidden until now is that Christ will come and dwell in you! We need to present ourselves perfectly before Christ Jesus, and to do that, we accept Him and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. Colossians 2 v. 1-10: Addressing Gnosticism (denies the deity of Christ): Paul loves this church even though he has never been there nor seen them. He was concerned because they were accepting heresy into their church. Heresies are always brought to and infiltrate the church to deceive Christians and move them off the path from following Christ (create a substitute path they follow). Paul wanted to (1) comfort their hearts that they might be (2) knit together in love; and (3) they might experience the riches of full assurance of their salvation. As we have received Christ Jesus our Lord, we must walk in Him! (Col 2:6) Be rooted in Christ Jesus and established in the faith. Always be aware of anything that would lead you away from your faith and from your established walk with the Lord, following after appealing deceptions of man. v. 11-23: Addressing Judaism (mixture of works with faith): You are complete in Christ, and you do not need to be physically circumcised as you have received the true circumcision, which is denouncing the works of the flesh to follow Christ. It isn’t the ritual that is important; the spiritual significance is. What happens in your heart and in your life is important. We have been made alive in Christ. Christ is the end of the law to those who believe. Our faith will produce actions. If our faith does not produce actions, then our faith is false! (James 2:14-26: Specifically, James 2:17; James 2:26). Colossians 3 v. 1-11: Since our life is in Christ, we are to put to death daily our flesh nature and not follow after our own lusts and desires. We are to put to death our own members and their desires (fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness). It is because of these things that God will pour out His wrath upon the unrepentant world. We are also not to be angry, have wrath, malice, blasphemy, or filthy language out of our mouths. What comes out of our mouth (what we say) is what condemns us, as that is what proceeds from our hearts. v. 12-17: As the elect of God, we are to be holy, be merciful, kind, humble, meek, and long-suffering while forgiving each other even as Christ forgave us. If we do not forgive others than God will not forgive us (Matt 6:14-15). Above all, we need to put on Love (avga,phn), which is the bond of perfection. No matter what we do, we need to do it for the Lord. v. 18-25: Social interaction directions are provided: Wives should submit themselves to their husbands; Husbands should love their wives; Children should obey their parents; Fathers must not provoke their children to anger; servants (employees) should obey their masters (bosses) sincerely. We will all receive our rewards for what we do, and there will be no partiality. There is a disconnect between what the scriptures say about the relationship between a husband and wife and how the world interprets it. The scriptures say “submit,” not “obey.” These are completely separate words with separate meanings, and Paul even uses “obey” here in the child and employee/boss context to show you it’s not the same as that between a husband/wife. "Obey" is one-sided as a servant obeys his master; but “submit/love” is a mutual loving bond between husband/wife. If you haven’t seen the insights on Ephesians chapter 5 that go into this subject, please ask, and we’ll email it to you. Colossians 4 v. 1-6: Always be diligent in prayer and always let your speech be graceful and seasoned with salt so you answer each one appropriately. Take advantage of every moment, as we don’t have that much time to minister to others. v. 7-18: Paul introduces to them Tychicus, a beloved brother who will transfer messages back and forth between the two of them, and Onesimus, who is probably whom the book of Philemon was written about. Paul also tells them that the following send their greetings: Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Aristarchus, Demas, and Nymphas. Paul concludes by urging them to take heed of the ministry they have received in the Lord and follow it (and not accept false doctrines such as Gnosticism and Judaism). Do you want to know God more? We Must Read His Word. The Pure Word is a word-for-word translation from the Textus Receptus Koine Greek (the exact text that the 1611 KJV scribes used) to English, and it also incorporates the original Greek Parsings, which the King James scholars completely ignored because they didn’t understand them. Don’t get me wrong - The King James Version is an amazing translation, but the scribes didn’t go far enough because they simply couldn’t because of a lack of knowledge. At the time of the 1600’s, no one understood the majority of the Koine Greek root words used in the New Testament. It took another 260 years before the Greek words were separated into their root components, which was published by Strong in 1890. Without identifying the root words, the meanings the KJV scribes assigned to the same word across different verses constantly varied. Without consistency, they couldn't convey the text's true meaning precisely. The Pure Word has taken each of the 5,624 Koine Greek root words, the single primary meaning of each at the time of Christ, and directly substituted it into each use of the same root word. In addition, the precise parsings of each of the 115,000 words that were mostly ignored by the KJV scribes and nearly all scholars since were applied to each word in The Pure Word. This process removed all known discrepancies and provided clarity of meaning never before possible. Every Christian should get a copy of The Pure Word for themselves and use it alongside their favorite Bible version to see the original meanings and open their eyes like never before. It is not a translation but a Pure extraction or substitution from Greek into English, using the original meaning of each root word as closely as possible, as it existed at the time of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Click Here for just a few of the thousands of reviews of The Pure Word Revealing the Original Depth of Meaning as Written by the Apostles Over 1,900 Years Ago! | 
Salvation Prayer; Remember ,You & I Are Not Of This World. Please Continue To Pray For America. For our time as a Free Nation has once...
