Bible History
Picture Study Bible with Maps and Background Information
2. Translate, "That their hearts may be comforted." The "their,"
compared with "you"
(Col 2:4),
proves that in
Col 2:1
the words, "have not seen my face in the flesh," is a general
designation of those for whom Paul declares he has "conflict,"
including the particular species, "you (Colossians) and them at
Laodicea." For it is plain, the prayer "that their hearts may be
comforted," must include in it the Colossians for whom he expressly
says, "I have conflict." Thus it is an abbreviated mode of expression
for, "That your and their hearts may be comforted." ALFORD translates, "confirmed," or allows "comforted" in
its original radical sense strengthened. But the Greek
supports English Version: the sense, too, is clear:
comforted with the consolation of those whom Paul had not seen,
and for whom, in consequence, he strove in prayerful conflict the more
fervently; inasmuch as we are more anxious in behalf of absent, than
present, friends [DAVENANT]. Their hearts would be
comforted by "knowing what conflict he had for" them, and how much he
is interested for their welfare; and also by being released from doubts
on learning from the apostle, that the doctrine which they had heard
from Epaphras was true and certain. In writing to churches which he had
instructed face to face, he enters into particular details concerning
them, as a father directing his children. But to those among whom he
had not been in person, he treats of the more general truths of
salvation.
being--Translate as Greek in oldest manuscripts, "They being
knit together."
in love--the bond and element of perfect knitting together; the
antidote to the dividing schismatical effect of false doctrine. Love to
God and to one another in Christ.
unto--the object and end of their being "knit together."
all riches--Greek, "all the riches of the full
assurance
(1Th 1:5;
Heb 6:11; 10:22)
of the (Christian) understanding." The accumulation of phrases,
not only "understanding," but "the full assurance of understanding";
not only this, but "the riches of," &c., not only this, but
"all the riches of," &c., implies how he desires to impress them
with the momentous importance of the subject in hand.
to--Translate "unto."
acknowledgment--The Greek implies, "full and accurate
knowledge." It is a distinct Greek word from "knowledge,"
Col 2:3.
ALFORD translates, "thorough . . .
knowledge." Acknowledgment hardly is strong enough; they did in
a measure acknowledge the truth; what they wanted was the
full and accurate knowledge of it (compare Notes, see on
Col 1:9, 10;
Php 1:9).
of God, and of the Father and of Christ--The oldest manuscripts omit
"and of the Father, and of"; then translate, "Of God (namely), Christ."
Two very old manuscripts and Vulgate read, "Of God the Father of
Christ."
JFB.
The Book of Colossians
Colossians 1:16 - For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Colossians 2:15-17 - [And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ.
Colossians in The New Testament - A Brief Overview
Painting of Paul the Apostle by Rembrandt - 1657
Introduction to The Book of Colossians
Brief Summary. Paul had been imprisoned at Rome and received messages about heresies at the church in Colossae. Paul defended the faith by exalting the person of Jesus, and clarifying the true doctrine of Jesus Christ.
Summary of The Book of ColossiansPurpose. The purpose of Paul's epistle to the Colossians is to instruct the believers that salvation is only in Jesus Christ. The person of Jesus Christ must be understood accurately and that "He is the image of the invisible God and in Him all the fulness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form (Colossians 1:15, 19). When Jesus died on the cross he put an end to the civil and ceremonial laws of Judaism. Believers can trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, our God and creator.
Contents. The epistle to the Colossians contains Paul's instruction about the new life in Christ which comes through a spiritual union with Christ in heaven. This new life produces a Christlike character: brotherly affection, forgiveness, peace, worship and ministry, devotion to Christ, and thankfulness in everything.
Colossae. The city of Colossae was in the heart of New Testament Asia about a hundred miles east of Ephesus, in the Lycus River Valley, in southern Phrygia Colossae was situated on the great highway which ran from Ephesus to the Euphrates Valley, near Hierapolis and Laodicea. According to Colossians 4:12-15 the church had been established in Colossae some time earlier and was Paul sternly warns the church regarding angel-worship, especially that of Michael the Archangel.
The Church at Colossae. Paul does not name himself as the founder of the church at Colossae, yet since he passed through the region of Phrygia (Acts 16:6; 18:23) which the city of Colossae was a part of, it may be assumed that Paul came there and preached Christianity.
The Heresy. The Church at Colossae was being severely attacked by false teachers. The heresy contained many false teachings which included: a false view of the universe, matter is evil, a distortion of man, sin is physical not spiritual, abstaining from foods and asceticism, a misunderstanding of the person of Jesus Christ and the Logos, the worship of angels, and elements of Judaism mixed with Christianity.
Authorship. The epistle to the Colossians was written by Paul the Apostle and included with his prison epistles.
Date. Colossians was written from Rome during Paul's first imprisonment, about 61-62 AD.
Outline of the Book of Colossians
Jesus Christ Exalted - Chapter 1
Christianity Exalted - Chapters 2
Union with Christ Exalted - Chapter 3-4
The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus"
would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or
consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A).
Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means
"The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".
Colossians Maps and Resources
Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus, in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary Journey's. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he returned to the cities he had first visited on his first missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19). (Color Map)
Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the "Nations" within the ancient world during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Asia - This map shows the cities within
Asia Minor during the first century A.D., the time of the New
Testament. The map includes the principal cities of Asia
including Tarsus, Ephesus, and Colossae, and provinces like
Galatia and Pamphilia. (Color Map)