ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Colossians 1

Col. 1:1–2 Greeting. As he often does, Paul begins by asking God to pour out his grace and peace upon the Colossians.

Col. 1:1 Paul, an apostle. Paul has likely never been to Colossae, but he feels a pastoral responsibility for this church. (See note on v. 7.) He wants to help them deal with the dangerous teaching threatening their health.

Col. 1:2 Colossae. A city in Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia. It was on the Lycus River just over 100 miles (161 km) east of Ephesus.

Col. 1:3–8 Thanksgiving. Paul thanks God for the Colossians and their expressions of faith, hope, and love.

Col. 1:3 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes the lordship of Jesus Christ in this letter. He states that Jesus is not a separate God, yet he has a uniquely close relationship with the Father. He is the Son and works on behalf of God.

Col. 1:4–5 faith . . . love . . . hope. Paul wrote often about these three Christian virtues (see Rom. 5:1–5; 1 Cor. 13:13; Gal. 5:5–6; 1 Thess. 1:3).

Col. 1:6 in the whole world. The gospel has spread from Jerusalem into Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, Italy, and probably into Egypt, North Africa, and Persia as well.

Col. 1:7 Paul did not start the church at Colossae. The people heard the gospel from Epaphras (a shortened form of “Epaphroditus”), a fellow Colossian (4:12). on your behalf. The esv footnote indicates that some manuscripts read “on our behalf.” If this is the original meaning, then Epaphras had been a faithful ambassador, representing Paul among the Colossians.

Col. 1:9–14 Prayer. Paul reports how he regularly prays for the Colossians.

Col. 1:9 Spiritual means given by the Holy Spirit.

Col. 1:10 so as. The “wisdom and understanding” (v. 9) would then lead to changed lives, for it would enable these Christians to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. “To walk” is a metaphor for conducting or behaving oneself (compare Ps. 1:1). Paul calls believers “to walk” in a way fully pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ. Christians are completely justified from the moment of initial saving faith, but they can do things that either please or displease God every day. bearing fruit . . . and increasing. See Mark 4:1–9, 13–20.

Col. 1:11 being strengthened with all power. God, not idols and demons, has “all power.” for all endurance and patience with joy. God gives this power to help believers continue in the faith, resist temptation and deceitful teachers, and know the joy of the Lord.

Col. 1:12 share in the inheritance. God’s promise to Israel under the old covenant (see Gen. 13:14–17; Num. 26:52–56); Paul applies it to Gentiles under the new covenant. saints. “Holy ones” or “consecrated people.”

Col. 1:13 He has delivered us. Just as God rescued his people from slavery in Egypt under the old covenant (Ex. 6:6; 14:30), he has now delivered them from the domain of darkness, that is, from Satan and the powers of evil (see Acts 26:18). the kingdom of his beloved Son. This is the same as the “kingdom of God” (or “kingdom of heaven”) that Jesus spoke of (Matt. 3:2; Mark 1:15).

Col. 1:14 redemption. Deliverance or release from captivity. Believers have been rescued from condemnation and have received forgiveness of their sins.

Col. 1:15–20 Praise to Christ. In moving poetic language, Paul praises the lordship of Christ over creation and redemption. These verses may be part of an early Christian hymn.

Col. 1:15 the image of the invisible God. Paul describes Christ in terms similar to the presentation of “wisdom” in Proverbs 8. firstborn of all creation. Paul does not claim that the Son was somehow created rather than existing eternally with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Paul has in mind the rights and privileges of a firstborn son, especially a king’s son who would inherit a kingdom (compare Ps. 89:27).

Col. 1:16 by him all things were created. Jesus cannot be the first thing created, since he himself created “all things.” thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. Paul uses Jewish terms for various rankings of angels. He probably refers to evil angels, since they play a significant part in this letter (2:8, 10, 15, 20).

Col. 1:17 in him all things hold together. Christ continuously sustains his creation, preventing it from disintegrating (compare Heb. 1:3).

Col. 1:18 he is the head of the body. This metaphor conveys Christ’s leadership over the church (see 1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 1:22–23; 5:25).

Col. 1:19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. The term “fullness” here and throughout the letter recalls its use in the OT, where God “filled” the temple with his presence. Jesus not only bears God’s glory, but all that God is also dwells in him. He is fully God (see also 2:9).

Col. 1:20 to reconcile to himself all things. As “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6), Jesus will ultimately defeat all rebellion against God. For believers, this means reconciliation to God as his friends. For nonbelievers and the demonic powers, this means defeat by Christ, the conquering king (see 1 Cor. 15:24–28; Rev. 19:11–21; 20:7–10). The basis for Christ’s reign of peace is the blood of his cross. The cross truly is the turning point in human and cosmic history.

Col. 1:21–23 Reconciliation to God. Paul explains the meaning of reconciliation for the church.

Col. 1:21–22 once . . . now. Paul presents a strong contrast between the Colossians’ pre-Christian status and their favorable situation now as Christians. to present you holy and blameless. This is the same language the OT uses to describe the unblemished animals that priests brought for a sacrifice.

Col. 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith. The specific Greek phrase Paul uses here indicates that he fully expects the Colossian believers will continue in the faith. in all creation. To both Jews and Gentiles throughout the Greco-Roman world (compare v. 6).

Col. 1:24–2:3 Paul’s Labor for the Gospel. Paul describes his own work for the gospel generally, and then more specifically for the Colossians.

Col. 1:24 Filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions does not mean there is any deficiency in Christ’s atoning death and suffering on the cross (see Heb. 9:12; 24–26; 10:14). What was “lacking” in Christ’s afflictions was the future suffering that Paul and others will experience for the sake of the gospel. (Compare Phil. 2:30, where Paul tells the Philippians that Epaphroditus risked his life “to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”)

Col. 1:25 the stewardship from God. Paul views himself as a divinely chosen “steward” or “administrator.” This word was used widely in the Roman world for the administrator of a large household or estate. Paul’s responsibility was to make the word of God fully known.

Col. 1:26–27 The mystery refers to God’s unfolding plan for the world and for redemption through the Messiah (see 2:2; 4:3; Eph. 1:9; 3:9; 6:19). Key aspects of God’s plan were hidden for ages and generations. They were a mystery that had to be revealed by God. Similar language occurs often in the book of Daniel. At the heart of the mystery is the amazing result of the new covenant, Christ in you, the hope of glory. God himself, in the person of Christ, will be directly and personally present in the lives of his people. His presence assures them of a future life with him when he returns.

Col. 1:29 Paul is struggling with all his [Christ’s] energy to help the Colossians grow and mature in Christ.