Coachlight Bible Study – Colossians Chapters 3-4

The Holy Walk

The group at Colosse, like other groups even today, is in a battle against twisting good sound doctrine. 

In chapter one, Paul sets forth the antidote to the poison of false doctrine – A big dose of “Who Christ Is”.  Christ is preeminent or before all things. Christ is the Creator in the Old Testament, Christ is the Redeemer, Who, by shedding His blood on the cross, purchased salvation for mankind dispensing His Grace to all who will follow Him. Christ is the head of the Church.  Christ was before the Gospel message and the Gospel message is all about Christ.  Even the Mystery of Christ, in which the Gentile as well as the Jew may be presented perfect in Christ, with Christ performing the works in each person.

In chapter two, Paul uses military metaphors, demonstrating that Christians are at war.  The enemy is false doctrines based on man’s tradition, and not the Word of God. Paul demonstrates that striking out roots into Christ or being grounded in the knowledge of Who He is, is the way to have an orderly and solid front line in the battle.  If the person builds on the foundation of Christ, he is established in the faith, and sets him free from the seduction of false damnable teachings.

Chapter three and four demonstrate the fruits or works need to be pursued and that will follow a true “epignosis” of Who Christ Is..  The “fruit” or “works” is taught to be a Holy Walk before the Lord.

The Christological Letter To The Colossians
Intension	To give the antidote (Christology) for false teachings
Reference	1:1----------1:15-------------2:4----------3:1-----------3:5----------4:7-------4:18
Plan	Introduction	Preeminence of Christ  Who He Is	The War Freedom In Christ	The “Mind Set” of the Christian	The Holy Walk  Fruit of Knowing Who He Is	Conclusion
Focus	Doctrine			Application
Topic	Supremacy of Christ			Submission to Christ
	What Christ Did For Us			What Christ Does Through Us
Location	A Prison In Rome
Time	AD 60-61

I. The Mind Set of the Christian

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek<2212> those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection<2212> on things above, not on things on the earth. {affection: or, mind}

Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

A. Seek those things

2212 zhtew zeteo dzay-teh’-o - of uncertain affinity;  v

seek 100, seek for 5, go about 4, desire 3, misc 7; 119

1) to seek in order to find

1a) to seek a thing

1b) to seek [in order to find out] by thinking, meditating, reasoning, to enquire into

1c) to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after

2) to seek i.e. require, demand

B. Set your affection on

5426 fronew phroneo fron-eh’-o - from 5424; v

think 5, regard 4, mind 3, be minded 3, savour 2, be of the same mind + 846 2, be like minded + 846 2, misc 8; 29

1) to have understanding, be wise

2) to feel, to think

2a) to have an opinion of one’s self, think of one’s self, to be modest, not let one’s opinion (though just) of himself exceed the bounds of modesty

2b) to think or judge what one’s opinion is

2c) to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious

3) to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for

3a) to seek one’s interest or advantage

3b) to be of one’s party, side with him (in public affairs)

C. Both verbs are commands – meaning to continue seeking, setting your mind on:

“Present, active, imperative” – Not an invitation

1. Present tense

The present tense represents a simple statement of fact or reality viewed as occurring in actual time.  In most cases this corresponds directly with the English present tense.

Some phrases which might be rendered as past tense in English will often occur in the present tense in Greek.  These are termed "historical presents," and such occurrences dramatize

the event described as if the reader were there watching the event occur.  Some English translations render such historical presents in the English past tense, while others permit the

tense to remain in the present.

2. Active Voice

The active voice represents the subject as the doer or performer of the action.  e.g., in the sentence, "The boy hit the ball," the boy performs the action.

3. Imperative   Mood              

The imperative mood corresponds to the English imperative, and expresses a command to the hearer to perform a certain action by the order and authority of the one commanding. 

Thus, Jesus’ phrase, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15) is not at all an "invitation," but an absolute command requiring full obedience on the part of all hearers.

D. The Meaning – “Keep on thinking about and directing your mind

1. On heavenly things where Christ sits – eternally minded

2. Not on or worrying about earthly things – temporally minded

E. The Result: - Appearing with Him in Glory

II. Put off the “Old Man” – Because The Affection is Above - Buried

Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Colossians 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Colossians 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

A. Metaphor of making an old man impotent – The Old Nature – received from Adam’s sin - must be kept in the burial place – The New Nature From Dying With Christ

B. Mortify – You began to destroy the power of the old man, and continually making him of none effect.

3499 nekrow nekroo nek-ro’-o - from 3498; v - be dead 2, mortify 1; 3

1) to make dead, to put to death, slay

2) worn out

2a) of an impotent old man

3) to deprive of power, destroy the strength of

This verb is aorist, active, imperative – The last two are like above verbs:

Tense-Aorist

The aorist tense is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time.  There is no

direct or clear English equivalent for this tense, though it is generally rendered as a simple past tense in most translations.

The events described by the aorist tense are classified into a number of categories by grammarians.  The most common of these include a view of the action as having begun from a certain point and continuing on.

C. The fleshly “mind sets” to kill – (Fleshly desires)

1. The Past - “things which the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience”

a. Uncleanness – Impurity in mind or speech

b. Inordinate affection – Uncontrolled lust, or evil desire

c. Evil concupiscence – Wicked craving and sensualness

d. Covetousness which is idolatry – Being led by greed – never enough

2. Now – Put off or lay aside these

a. Anger – uncontrolled temper, deep seated ill-will, revengeful resentment

b. Wrath – Boiling agitation, fiery outburst of a fit of vengeance

c. Malice – Vicious disposition, willful desire to to injure, rejoicing in evil to others

d. Blasphemy – Slanderous talk, railing insults, reckless and bitter abuse

e. Filthy communication – Obscene speech, foul mouthed abuse

f. Lie not – Quit lying

III. Put on the New Man

Colossians 3:10 And have put on<1746> the new man, which is renewed in knowledge<1922> after the image<1504> of him that created him:

Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. {quarrel: or, complaint}

Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

A. Metaphor of taking off filthy clothes and putting on clean clothes (New Nature)

1746 enduow enduo en-doo’-o - from 1722 & 1416 (in the sense of sinking into a garment); v

put on 18, clothed with 2, clothed in 2, have on 2, clothe with 1, be endued 1, arrayed in 1, be clothed 1, vr put on 1; 29

1) to sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one’s self

B. The New Nature is renewed by – Guess what Greek word is used!

Knowledge of “Who He Is”

1922 epignwsiv epignosis ep-ig’-no-sis - from 1921; n f

knowledge 16, acknowledging 3, acknowledgement 1; 20

1) precise and correct knowledge

1a) used in the NT of the knowledge of things ethical and divine

C. The New Nature is renewed in Knowledge of “Who The Creator Is”

1504 eikwn eikon i-kone’ - from 1503; n f  - image 23; 23

1) an image, figure, likeness

1a) an image of the things (the heavenly things)

1a1) used of the moral likeness of renewed men to God

1a2) the image of the Son of God, into which true Christians are transformed, is likeness not only to the heavenly body, but also to the most holy and blessed state of mind, which Christ possesses

1b) the image of one

1b1) one in whom the likeness of any one is seen

1b2) applied to man on account of his power of command

1b3) to Christ on account of his divine nature and absolute moral excellence

D. New Wardrobe for the New Nature - Put On The New Nature The Clothes of:

1. Bowels of Mercy – A Heart of Compassion, mercy in action

2. Kindness – Thoughtfulness of others, unselfishness

3. Humbleness of mind – Modesty, placing ones self last and others first

4. Meekness – Consideration of others, not arrogance or pride

5. Long suffering – Patient when under attack, not resorting to retaliation

6. Forbearing One Another – Putting up with falts to get along

7. Forgiving one another – Forgive others complaints

E. Like the Overcoat, put on top of all other garments – charity

1. Charity is the binding factor of perfectness – Spiritual perfection

2. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts

a. Realize we are called into one body

b. Be thankful

3. How do we do these things?

a. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly with wisdom

b. Teach and admonish with the Word

1. With Psalms

2. With hymns

3. With Spiritual songs

4. What ever you do – Do as unto the Lord – In Christ’s name

IV. The Holy Walk

A. Holy walk between Wives And Husbands

Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

B. Holy Walk between Children and Parents

Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

C. Holy Wak between Employees and Employers

Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

D. Knowing From Where the inheritance comes

Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

E. Holiness in Public Life

Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

F. Holiness in Witnessing

Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Colossians 4:4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

V. The Sending of Tychicus and Onesimus

Colossians 4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

Colossians 4:8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

Colossians 4:9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

VI. Personal Greetings

Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

Colossians 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. {labouring…: or, striving} {complete: or, filled}

Colossians 4:13  For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

Colossians 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

VII. Salutation

Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Colossians 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Colossians 4:18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. <<Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.>>