Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 16

Paul fights and contends in Prayer and Teaching for the Truth to the Colossian Believers

Colossians 2:1-3 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. KJV

Now Paul turns briefly to tell these Colossian believers (even though it is thought by many, myself included, that he had never met them personally) how much he longed to see them only walking in the truth and wisdom that comes from Christ Jesus our Lord only so he says, “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;” (Colossians 2:1) (KJV). The English word ‘conflict’ Paul uses here to describe his state or condition is translated by the Greek word agon meaning here figuratively an effort or anxiety: - conflict, contention, fight, race. In other words, Paul was fighting for these Colossian believers to see only the truth and wisdom that comes from Christ alone and nothing else outside of Him, so he fights or contends for them by prayer and by teaching them through this letter (as well as the epistle written to the Church @ Laodicea (Colossians 4:16) which we do not have only known why by the Divine Purpose of Christ Jesus our Lord). It was Paul’s purpose to see every man presented ‘perfect’ or spiritually mature in Christ Jesus our Lord, so he did what he could only do for these Colossian believers and for every believer in Christ that he had not taught face to face and that was by way of letter. Note: “It appeared Paul’s fighting, struggling, and contending for these believers was very well needed and Divinely inspired by God the Holy Spirit knowing what was to become of the Church @ Laodicea seeing these words of rebuke directed to them by our Lord Jesus Christ many years after the Apostle Paul had already gone up to Heaven to be with our Lord, “And to the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write, These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing --- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked --- I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:14-19) (NKJV).”

The Apostle Paul considered himself to be a debtor (Romans 1:14-15) to all the Gentiles because this was his primary mission given to him by Christ Jesus our Lord Himself (Acts 9:15), so he was most eager to see these non-Jews who knew nothing of YAHWEH be fully taught in all of the truth of His Ways or that they might have the entire conviction of the truth clearly laid out for them as he said to the Ephesian Church elders when he departed from them for the last time in the flesh, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:26-27) (NKJV). Paul was very desirous for them to find all they needed for their day to day life, for their spiritual battles and fights with the invisible devil and devils and the two legged devils, and for all the internal conflicts that were within themselves or in their old man or old woman or old nature in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ strengthening them by His Spirit in the inner man or inner woman and so he now says, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;” (Colossians 2:2) (NKJV). When Paul says here, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love”, he simply means he fights in intercessory prayer for them that they might all be united in the truth of the Gospel and be given moral and emotional strength coming from God’s Love to them and God’s Love for them in all of their trials and persecutions as they continually grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. When Paul says here, “unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding”, he is desiring for them to know this comfort from God by virtue of their being fully and completely certain first of their own personal salvation, and that they would believe all things that he Paul (through the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit) is teaching them in his letter about all the truths of Christianity as the Prophet Jeremiah said the similar things in this manner, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24) (NKJV).

When referring to the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ, Paul uses the English word ‘acknowledgement’ which is translated by the Greek word epignosis meaning recognition, that is, (by implication) full discernment, or to become fully acquainted with, in this case presented here by Paul, who the One True God (YAHWEH) really and truly is, in that He is One, yet He represents Himself in three (3) Persons; The Father, The Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, this understanding of God being so great and so far beyond our finite minds and beings to fully comprehend, then we see why the Divine Godhead has chosen to make Himself known to us through Jesus Christ our Lord whom the first Apostles handled Him, touched Him, ate with Him, lived with Him in the flesh, therefore we now find Paul uses this language to describe to us who and what our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ means to us now, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3) (NKJV). Christ is God and in Him only is all that God is and ever will be as Paul said most Heavenly with these words written to the believers in Ephesus, “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the Church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” (Ephesians 3:8-12) (NKJV).

“It was their spiritual welfare about which he was solicitous. He does not say that they may be healthy, and merry, and rich, and great, and prosperous; but that their hearts may be comforted. Note, The prosperity of the soul is the best prosperity, and what we should be most solicitous about for ourselves and others.” Matthew Henry

“Let us learn the lesson, that, for all Christian people, sympathy in the battle for God, which is being waged all over the world, is plain duty. For all Christian teachers of every sort, an eager sympathy in the difficulties and struggles of those whom they would try to teach is indispensable. We can never deal wisely with any mind until we have entered into its peculiarities. We can never help a soul fighting with errors and questionings until we have ourselves felt the pinch of the problems, and have shown that soul that we know what it is to grope and stumble. No man is ever able to lift a burden from another’s shoulders except on condition of bearing the burden himself.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

“But how could he, in Rome, wage conflict on behalf of the Church at Colossae? No external conflict can be meant. He could strike no blows on their behalf. What he could do in that way he did, and he was now taking part in their battle by this letter. If he could not fight by their side, he could send them ammunition, as he does in this great Epistle, which was, no doubt, to the eager combatants for the truth at Colossae, what it has been ever since, a magazine and arsenal in all their warfare. But the real struggle was in his own heart. It meant anxiety, sympathy, an agony of solicitude, a passion of intercession. What he says of Epaphras in this very Epistle was true of himself. He was ‘always striving in prayer for them.’ And by these wrestling’s of spirit he took his place among the combatants, though they were far away, and though in outward seeming his life was untouched by any of the difficulties and dangers which hemmed them in. In that lonely prison cell, remote from their conflict, and with burdens enough of his own to carry, with his life in peril, his heart yet turned to them and, like some soldier left behind to guard the base while his comrades had gone forward to the fight, his ears listened for the sound of battle, and his thoughts were in the field. His prison cell was like the focus of some reverberating gallery in which every whisper spoken all round the circumference was heard, and the heart that was held captive there was set vibrating in all its chords by every sound from any of the Churches.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 15

Paul Declares his Ministry to these Gentile Colossians Part 3

Colossians 1:28-29 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. KJV

As we shed light upon in the previous study/commentary by virtue of Paul’s last verse, it was Jesus Christ that Paul exalted, exemplified, and expounded to all who would here of this Gospel of Grace as the One and Only way for someone to be right with God. Paul concludes this first Chapter of his letter to these Colossian believers by continuing to pound home this point and fact in order that he would discredit every false teacher that would come to these new believers in Colosse with another view of God or another way to God as we will see him in the very next Chapter condemning angel worship, therefore, he declares here that is only Christ, “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” (Colossians 1:28) (KJV). Paul uses the English word ‘warning’ here which is translated by the Greek word noutheteo meaning to call someone’s attention to; to put in mind, that is, (by implication) to caution or reprove gently. In other words, Paul wanted to tell every human creature he encountered that he and they have a debt owed to God that cannot be paid by any man no matter how much he engages himself in doing good deeds or good works because all of our good things done before God are in his sight like a woman’s tampon after it has been used during her menstrual cycle (Isaiah 64:6), therefore, this could never satisfy the Wrath of God against man’s sin and so Paul warns every man against trying anything or any way to get to or appease God outside of Jesus Christ.

So, then part of the Apostle Paul’s mandate from God the Father was ‘teaching’ every man and this English word is translated by the Greek word didasko a prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb dao simply meaning (to learn); to teach (in the same broad application): - teach. This Paul did in all ‘wisdom’ and this English word is translated by the Greek word sophia meaning (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual): - wisdom. In other words, the Apostle Paul taught man that true worldly and spiritual wisdom comes only from the understanding of man being enlightened by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus. The purpose of Paul’s warning and teaching was that every man would be presented for acceptance to God the Father as ‘perfect’ and this English word is translated by the Greek word teleios meaning to set out for a definite point or goal; the conclusion or the result of an act or state or its purpose; to be made complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.). In other words, just like there is zero acceptance of any human efforts made by man that will please God, in contrast, Paul is declaring that every man that comes to Christ Jesus our Lord and learns from Him will grow up in grace and knowledge of Him as a baby grows into an adolescent, then a young adult, then a full grown man or woman, so in like manner Paul teaches and warns with all divinely inspired wisdom from above in order that ‘babes in Christ’ would grow up to be full grown mature spiritual adults in Christ as Paul explained to the Hebrew believers with these words, “Therefore, let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings {and} doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness {and} perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance {and} abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God, With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment {and} punishment. [These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.] If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to advanced teaching].” (Hebrews 6:1-3) (Amplified Bible). See also (1 Corinthians 2:6-16).

Paul concludes this Chapter by declaring to these Colossian believers how much the true Gospel of Christ meant to him personally and also how much he wanted every sinner to know its redeeming power, therefore, he says, “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” (Colossians 1:29) (KJV). Paul uses the two English words ‘labor’ and ‘striving’ to describe his efforts exuded in the proclamation of the Gospel of Grace to every man. The first word ‘labor’ is translated by the Greek word kopiao meaning to feel fatigue; by implication to work hard: - to toil, be wearied. The second word ‘striving’ is translated by the Greek word agonizomai (which is where we get our English words agony and agonize) meaning to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or generally (to endeavor to accomplish something): - fight, labor fervently, strive. In other words, the Apostle Paul worked and toiled in the study of the Word of God (the Old Testament at that time) and prayer in order that his teaching of it would be in line with the Holy Spirit of God as he fought spiritually (not physically) with his adversary and our adversary (the devil and his principalities and powers) in order that every man would be warned and taught the truth of God, not fables (2 Peter 1:16) so that he could present every man perfect in Christ alone as he declared with these words to the Corinthian believers, “For I am zealous for you with a godly eagerness {and} a divine jealousy, for I have betrothed you to one Husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted {and} seduced from wholehearted {and} sincere {and} pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2-3) (Amplified Bible). Paul’s eagerness, earnestness, and energy to declare the whole truth of God and of the Gospel of Christ was not something he worked up within himself or pumped himself up for, but it was a result of God the Holy Spirit working in him with force or miraculous power in his study of the Word of God, his preaching of the Word of God, his teaching of the Word of God, and his writing of the Word of God just also as he declared to the Corinthian believers with these words, “For I am the least [worthy] of the Apostles, who am not fit {or} deserving to be called an Apostle, because I once wronged {and} pursued {and} molested the Church of God [oppressing it with cruelty and violence]. But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them [the Apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10) (Amplified Bible).

“Paul was not one to debate others over the truth of the Word of God, but instead he just presented it in its uncut, unadulterated, and uncompromised form (which was his only mission) and allowed God the Holy Spirit to convict, convince, and then convert sinful men and women to Christ Jesus our Lord.” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

“This does not mean warning of danger, but ‘admonishing all of the claims of the Gospel to attention.’ Our word warn is commonly used in the sense of cautioning against danger. The Greek word here means to put in mind; to admonish; to exhort. The idea of the Apostle is, that he made it his great business to bring the offers of the Gospel fairly before the mind of every man. As it had the same claims on all; as it might be freely offered to all, and as it furnished the only hope of glory, he made it the object of his life to apprize every man of it, as far as he could.” Albert Barnes

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 14

Paul Declares his Ministry to these Gentile Colossians Part 2

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: KJV

It was the disciple Paul that God the Father revealed this Gospel to in order that it would be declared everywhere on the earth. Paul now continues and finishes his declaration of his ministry to these Colossian believers by saying, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” (Colossians 1:27) (KJV). The English word ‘would’ Paul uses here is translated by the Greek words thelō and ethelō its means to determine; to choose or to prefer, that is, to be inclined to gladly; a Hebraism to delight in: - desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, or will to. The English phrase ‘make known’ is translated by one Greek word gnorizo meaning to certify or provide evidence for, declare, or give understanding to something. So, we see then, that Paul was chosen by God to be a steward of the true Gospel of Grace and willed to take it out into all the world and given evidence and understanding of the purpose of the declaration of this Gospel, firstly, by his own conversion having his religious darkness removed to see the wonderful beauty of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, therefore, Paul was disposed and determined to allow nothing or no one to deter him from bringing it to every human being he encountered and for determination he was now in prison in Rome as he told the Corinthian believers in the opening of his first letter written to them with these words, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5) (NKJV).

When Paul says, “the riches of the glory of this mystery” (speaking of the Gospel of Christ or the Gospel of Grace), he is reaching out well beyond his own human capability and of human language to describe to these Colossian believers and we believers today the greatness of God the Father’s design to reconcile sinful men and women to Himself. The English word ‘riches’ is translated by the Greek word ploutos meaning as used here (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specifically) valuable bestowment: - riches. This is a favorite word of Paul’s throughout his letters in trying to describe the tremendous gift bestowed upon us underserving sinners by such a loving, gracious, kind, forgiving, and forbearing God as Paul also declared to the Roman believers early on in his letter with these words, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4) (NKJV). Even the Gentiles, whom the Jews referred to, thought of, and believed to be dogs, that is, sub-human or in-human, were being made partakers of this glorious mystery or hidden truth (now revealed) to every human creature by the Gospel of Christ and we see now from these words written by Paul what the conclusion or end result of any sinner accepting and receiving this Gospel of Grace preached to them was and is and that is as Paul declares at the end of this verse, “Christ in you, the hope of glory”, and these words here are so unfathomed, unplumbed, and unsounded, yet they are easily and clearly understood by all with ears to here.

The Gospel does not discriminate amongst sinners, because our Lord Jesus does not discriminate between sinners, that is, there are no good people on the earth Jews or Gentiles and all are the same to our Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, He enters the heart of every truly repentant sinner (no matter their sin and no matter what the world thinks of them and their sin), and at the same time He remains on the outside of every sinner that continues to harden their hearts to this Gospel of Grace being the only way of reconciliation to God the Father. Christianity is not a religion, but it is the very God, the One True and Only God who made all things visible and invisible coming to live in the inner man or inner woman of a sinner which immediately and singularly reconciles that sinner to God as our Lord Jesus warned the high and mighty Jewish religious rulers with these words in the Parable of the two (2) sons, “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. ‘Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said to Him, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.’” (Matthew 21:28-32) (NKJV).

In this Parable, the first son is every sinner on the earth in the past, the present, and the future who sees not religion, or a Church, or a Denomination, or any spirituality that will get them to God or to Heaven, but they hear the Gospel of Grace (Ephesians 2:1-10) and God the Holy Spirit opens their blind spiritual eyes to see Jesus as God and as the Only way to God, however, in sad contrast, the second son is every sinner on the earth in the past, the present, and the future who refuses, rejects, or resist their being only One Way to God and by and through only One Person (Jesus Christ) and goes their own ways, i.e. Scientology, Mormonism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Churchism, Denominationalism, Spirituality, or any other ism or anything that leaves out and off that Jesus Christ is God and He is the Only way to reconciliation with God Period. Christ is the only hope of Glory and outside of Him there is no hope for any sinner, big sinner or small sinner, and this is why right now as I write these words as commanded me over ten years ago by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to write through the entire New Testament (Romans – Jude), that there are multitudes of Church members, spiritual people, and earthly good people in the holding tank of ‘Hell’, but there are also multitudes of great sinners, rapist, serial killers, pedophiles, thieves, etc. in heaven in the arms of a loving Savior Jesus Christ because they like the first son in this Parable regretted/repented and were redeemed, regenerated, and reborn by Christ, this is the mystery hidden in God now revealed by the Gospel of Grace.

“There is no such thing as working for one’s salvation, that is, a gift freely given by God the Father through our Lord Jesus’s Bloody Sacrifice by the Power of God the Holy Spirit, therefore, then we see that Christianity is no religion, but instead a Person, namely Jesus Christ of Nazareth and only those who see Him as God and the Only Way to God will enjoy the Glories of Heaven, no one else will no matter how good it may sound or seem to the flesh of sinful humanity.” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

“The meaning is, that the whole of that truth, so full of glory, and so rich and elevated in its effect, is summed up in this - that Christ is revealed among you as the source of the hope of glory in a better world. This was the great truth which so animated the heart and fired the zeal of the Apostle Paul. The wonderful announcement had burst on his mind like a flood of day, that the offer of salvation was not to be confined, as he had once supposed, to the Jewish people, but that all men were now placed on a level; that they had a common Savior; that the same heaven was now opened for all, and that there were none so degraded and vile that they might not have the offer of life as well as others. This great truth Paul burned to communicate to the whole world; and for holding it, and in making it known, he had involved himself in all the difficulties which he had with his own countrymen; had suffered from want, and peril, and toil; and had finally been made a captive, and was expecting to be put to death. It was just such a truth as was fitted to fire such a mind as that of Paul, and to make it; known as worth all the sacrifices and toils which he endured. Life is well sacrificed in making known such a doctrine to the world.” Albert Barnes

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 13

Paul Declares his Ministry to these Gentile Colossians Part 1

Colossians 1:24-26 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His Body’s sake, which is the Church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the Word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints. KJV

At the very end of the last verse written here by the Apostle Paul, we found him declaring his ministry, he even said, he ‘became’ a minister, meaning that this was not by his doing but our Lord Jesus Christ appointed Paul an Apostle and primarily to declare the Gospel of Grace to all the known Gentile world. Therefore, we find Paul now testifying to these Colossian Gentiles how he now ‘rejoices’ in ‘sufferings’ for them. The first word ‘rejoice’ Paul uses here in speaking of his own personal actions is translated by the Greek word chairo which is a primary verb denoting action meaning to be full of cheer, that is, calmly happy or well off. The second word ‘sufferings’ Paul uses here declaring what he rejoices in is translated by the Greek word pathema which means something undergone, that is, hardship or pain. So, in other words, Paul’s proclamation of the true Gospel of Grace was met with much opposition (not only by the Jews he formally served with to destroy the Gospel), but by many Gentile people and nations for many different reasons and this caused Paul actual physical pain being beaten in many of these places and even stoned to actual physical death (Acts 14:19), but these things caused Paul to rejoice over these former Colossian unbelievers seeing now how they have been enabled to believe by the Power of the Gospel worked in them by God the Holy Spirit. When Paul writes “and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His Body’s sake, which is the Church”, he means that although our Lord Jesus has finished His work of redemption, He has yet to finish His work of protecting, preserving, and persevering the saints which are a part of His Mystical Body (the Church) here on the earth (even as He sits at the Right Hand of the Father), therefore, our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ stills suffers through the suffering’s of His Mystical Body the Church.

When Paul suffers persecution for declaring the true Gospel of Grace, then he is ‘filling up’ the sufferings of Christ in his flesh and so is every true believer everywhere of every generation when they are persecuted for Christ sake and for His Gospel’s sake, as we clearly remember this very same Apostle Paul before he was converted was doing to our Lord Jesus’ Body as recorded for us by Dr. Luke, “Meanwhile Saul, still drawing his breath hard from threatening and murderous desire against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and requested of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus [authorizing him], so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way [of life as determined by faith in Jesus Christ], he might bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem. Now as he traveled on, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, and he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me [harassing, troubling, and molesting Me]?’ And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, ‘I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. {It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance].}’” (Acts 9:1-5) (Amplified Bible). Therefore, we now see that in like manner as Saul/Paul persecuted our Lord Jesus Christ before he was saved, so now Paul himself is suffering persecution from Jews and Gentiles for declaring Jesus Christ to be God and the Gospel of Grace to be the only way to God.

Paul has been constantly and continually attacked by the Jews trying to kill him because he is now declaring to them that God wants these Gentile (Colossians and others) to have the same relationship with Him as the Jews in One Body (the Church) and Paul’s reward for being faithful to his calling has him now imprisoned in Rome, our Lord Jesus wanted him to be in Rome to declare the Gospel there and his declaration of the Gospel has caused him this physical persecution as he declared to the believers in Galatia with these words, “From now on let no person trouble me [by making it necessary for me to vindicate my Apostolic authority and the divine truth of my Gospel], for I bear on my body the [brand] marks of the Lord Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions--these testify to His ownership of me]!” (Galatians 6:17) (Amplified Bible). Paul again repeats what he said a couple of verses earlier but adds some additional clarifications, “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the Word of God;” (Colossians 1:25) (KJV). Again Paul declares his ministry to be not of his own accord, or assertions, or attempts, but that I ‘am made’ a minister and this English phrase ‘am made’ is translated by the Greek word ginomai which is a prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be (generate), that is, (reflexively) to become (come into being), or in other words just as Paul declared to Brother Timothy with these words when he wrote, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” (1 Timothy 1:12-16) (NKJV).

The English word dispensation is translated by the Greek word oikonomia which literally means the economy, administration, or stewardship of a household or estate. In other words, by virtue of God the Father’s design, desire, and determination the man Paul was made/ginomai a minister to handle this great purpose and plan of God the Father here on the earth. Paul was made a steward of the Gospel of Grace by the Designer and Chief Steward Himself, God the Father. Therefore, with such great responsibility given him Paul’s main purpose was to fill up to the rim or to fill the earth with the Word of God or the Gospel of God during his lifetime as he asked the Thessalonian believers to pray for, “Furthermore, Brethren, do pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed on (spread rapidly and run its course) and be glorified (extolled) {and} triumph, even as [it has done] with you, And that we may be delivered from perverse (improper, unrighteous) and wicked (actively malicious) men, for not everybody has faith {and} is held by it. Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] {and} set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one].” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3) (Amplified Bible). This was a mystery to both Jews and Gentiles that God would bring them together in One Body (the Church) through the Blood Sacrifice or Atonement of Jesus Christ on the Cross. God the Father kept this secret and hidden from mankind until as Paul declared to the Galatian believers these words, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:4-7) (NKJV).  

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 12

Paul Declares these Colossian Believers Reconciled to God in Christ Part 3 (The Condition)

Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; KJV

Just as we discovered that the Body of Christ in the last verse of this first Chapter of this letter to the believers in Colosse is the cause of their/our salvation, so now we discover that Paul declares unto them and to us the ‘condition’ of their/our salvation by saying, “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” (Colossians 1:23) (KJV). Note: “Let us be clear that Paul is not saying here that someone must work for their salvation, that is impossible to do, for salvation is by grace through faith which is the gift of God to sinners (Ephesians 2:8-9), but let us unpack this verse to get a clear picture of what this great Apostles does mean.” First, Paul begins with the use of the tiny phrase ‘ye continue’ which is translated by the Greek word epimeno which means to stay over, that is, remain (figuratively persevere): - abide (in), continue (in). In other words, Paul here is doing what he was compelled to do with every one of the Churches in his day (because of false teachers, especially Judaizers) and that is to produce in them and in us a single mindedness in Christ alone for our salvation adding nothing to His finished work on the Cross @ Calvary just as he lamented over the struggle of faith by many in the Galatian Church having been seduced by these false teachers when he said to them at the beginning of his letter these words, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different Gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other Gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9) (KJV).

Note: “What Paul means when he says, ‘If ye continue in the faith’ is literally ‘If ye continue in your faith’ meaning every individual’s personal trust in Jesus Christ as their sin bearer.” Next Paul says that they/we be ‘grounded’ and this English word is translated by the Greek word themelioo which comes from the Greek word themelios meaning something put down, that is, a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively): - foundation. In other words, personal faith in Jesus Christ alone is the rock solid spiritual foundation for every sinner to rest upon knowing that even as we shift and move and waiver on the solid Rock that is Christ, He (the Rock) never moves as it is perhaps best said with these words, “On Christ, the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” (Matthew 7:24-25) and as this Apostle Paul himself said with these words to the Corinthian believers, “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11) (KJV). Next Paul says to them and to us to be ‘settled’ and this English word is translated by the Greek word hedraios meaning (to sit); sedentary, that is, (by implication) immovable: - settled, steadfast. In other words, Paul wants to reiterate his desire for these Colossian believers and we believers today to make ourselves at home ‘in Christ’ not moving but staying firmly, fully, and finally seated in Him for all time and eternity (it is a metaphor of being seated in a chair trusting it to support your full weight without waiver or breaking) just as he said also with these words to the Corinthian believers, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) (KJV).

When Paul says, ‘be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard’, he simply means for them to trust him as an appointed Apostle of Christ Jesus our Lord, that he is declaring to them the one and only true Gospel and in turn to shun or stay away from the seduction of the false teachers and their works gospel, which is again no gospel at all. The ‘hope’ or confident expectation of the true Gospel is these Colossian believers and we believers today receiving the end of their/our faith the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:9) having a new glorified resurrected body to live in the presence of Christ and of God the Father for all eternity. Paul declares to them that this true Gospel is being preached in all the known world at that time (not by himself only) but by him and many other faithful servants of Christ as He (Christ) commanded with these words before His Ascension, “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.’” (Mark 16:15) (KJV).

“A Hebraism for the whole human race, and particularly referring to the two grand divisions of mankind, the Jews and Gentiles; to both of these the Gospel had been preached, and to each, salvation by Christ had been equally offered. And as none had been excluded from the offers of mercy, and Jesus Christ had tasted death for every man, and the Jews and Gentiles, in their great corporate capacity, had all been invited to believe the Gospel; therefore, the Apostle concludes that the Gospel was preached to every creature under heaven, as being offered without restrictions or limitations to these two grand divisions of mankind, including the whole human race.” Adam Clarke

“If we are lashed to the unchangeable Christ by the ‘cords of love’ and faith, we too shall, in our degree, be steadfast. And, says Paul, that Christ-derived steadfastness will make us able to resist influences that would move us away from the hope of the Gospel. That process which their steadfastness would enable the Colossians successfully to resist is described by the language of the Apostle as continuous, and as one which acted on them from without. Intellectual dangers arose from false teachings. The ever-acting tendencies of worldliness pressed upon them, and they needed to make a distinct effort to keep themselves from being overcome by these.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

“Salvation is free from God to us through the sacrifice of His Son our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and there is no good living, or good works, or good deeds that would ever be able to earn for us our salvation, but there is spiritual work that must be done after receiving this free gift and that is waging warfare with the world, our flesh or old nature, and the devil as the Apostle Peter put it using these words, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:8-11) (KJV). Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 11

Paul Declares these Colossian Believers Reconciled to God in Christ Part 2 (The Cause)

Colossians 1:22 In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight: KJV

In the last verse, we were told by the Apostle Paul of the reconciliation back to God of these Colossian Gentile sinners, now Paul declares to these reconciled believers in Christ in Colosse the one and only cause of their reconciliation with these words, “In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight:” (Colossian 1:22) (KJV). It was/is only by the Power of God that any sinner can ever be redeemed and reconciled back to Him, therefore, God had to shed His Blood and die to redeem sinful humanity. Wait, but it is impossible for God to die, yes that is correct, therefore, He (God) had to take on human flesh and blood while at the same time still being God, for His Divine Nature could never suffer even pain let alone death. This is exactly what Paul means here by the ‘body of His flesh through death’, because God was and is Jesus Christ, then God could bleed and die for the sins of these Colossians and for our sins as Paul declared in another place with these words recorded for us by Dr. Luke, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28) (KJV).

The Man Christ Jesus died on the Cross (Hebrews 2:14), but God/YAHWEH/Jehovah/Elohim was in the Man Christ Jesus thereby making Him not only Man, but also the Everlasting God and only through His death are these Colossian Gentiles and we Gentiles today and in every generation redeemed, reborn, and reconciled back from our fallen sinful nature/humanity back to God the Father forever, never can this reunion be broken, not by the devil, not by other wicked men/women, not by anything or anyone as Paul declared to the Roman believers with these words, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the Right Hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:33-39) (KJV).

Note: “It is the Body of Jesus Christ that died and shed blood that can reconcile sinners back to God, therefore, when anyone speaks of ‘God’ without declaring Jesus Christ to be ‘God’ they are speaking of, they are devoid, destitute, and deprived of any knowledge, relationship, love, comfort, or care from the Only True God, because to say one knows ‘God’ without personal love for and love to Jesus Christ is like someone saying a dog or a cat can understand opera as does a human being, it is literally impossible to know ‘God’ unless you know Jesus as we wrote in a recent study/commentary these words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ to the Apostle Philip we will declare them yet once again that there be no confusion or mix-up as to who ‘God’ truly is, “Philip saith unto Him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, ‘Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake.’” (John 14:8-11) (KJV).”

When these Colossian Gentiles were born again and we today were born again, our Lord Jesus Christ will ‘present’ us to God the Father as a love offering to Him and this English word ‘present’ is translated by two Greek words paristemi  paristano meaning to stand beside, that is, (transitively) to exhibit, proffer (Present for acceptance), (specifically) recommend, (figuratively) substantiate. In other words, we are accepted by God the Father only through our Lord Jesus Christ bringing us to Him free from our sin and the contamination which sin yields (having made us holy or consecrated to the Father by His Blood) as the Apostle Peter declared with these words, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Peter 3:18) (KJV). The second (2^nd) result of our Lord Jesus Christ ‘presenting’ us to God the Father is that we are ‘unblameable’ and this English word is translated by the Greek word amomos meaning unblemished (literally or figuratively): - without blame or faultless. In other words, because these Colossian believers and we believers today are ‘in Christ’ and ‘in Christ’ God the Father is well-pleased because He (Christ) was and is sinless, pure, holy, righteous, and separate from sin, then so are we who belong to Him as Paul wrote to the Hebrew believers with these words speaking of Christ our Great High Priest, “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for His own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.” (Hebrews 7:25-27) (KJV).

Thirdly, this reconciliation back to God through the death of Christ Body and His shedding of His Blood allows these Colossian believers and we believers today to be ‘unreproveable’ and this English word is translated by the Greek word anegkletos which means unaccused, that is, (by implication) irreproachable: In other words, the accuser of the brethren (the devil) can never accuse these reconciled Colossian believers and we believers today and of every generation with success because we are free of guilt and without further blame before our Heavenly Father because we are ‘in Christ’ and as the Apostle John writes that our Lord Jesus Christ is our Defense Attorney for us, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (1 John 2:1) (KJV). Note: “The word ‘advocate’ means lawyer.” It is in God the Father’s sight that we are without blemish or without a trace or spot of all our sins, as Paul declared with these words when he opened his letter to the Ephesian believers saying, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:” (Ephesians 1:3-4) (KJV).

“There was such a value in the Blood of Christ that, on account of Christ’s shedding it, God was willing to deal with men upon new terms to bring them under a covenant of grace, and for His sake, and in consideration of His death upon the Cross, to pardon and accept to favour all who comply with them.” Matthew Henry

“There will be none to accuse them before God; or they will be free from all accusation. The law will not accuse them - for the death of their Redeemer has done as much to honor it as their own punishment would have done; God will not accuse them - for He has freely forgiven them; their consciences will not accuse them - for their sins will all have been taken away, and they will enjoy the favor of God as if they had not sinned; holy angels will not accuse them - for they will welcome them to their society; and even Satan will not accuse them, for he will have seen that their piety is sincere, and that they are truly what they profess to be.” Albert Barnes

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 10

Paul Declares these Colossian Believers Reconciled to God in Christ Part 1

Colossians 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled; KJV

After the last verses declaring the undisputed Deity of Jesus Christ, Paul now turns his attention back to these Colossian believers and to we believers today and of all time declaring, defining, and describing our reconciliation back to God through Christ sacrifice beginning with these words, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled” (Colossians 1:21) (KJV). Two of the important words used by Paul in this verse are ‘sometime’ and ‘alienated’: First the English word ‘sometime’ is translated by the Greek word pote which means in the old time or in times past; once. Second the English word ‘alienated’ is translated by the Greek word apallotrioo which means to be foreign to something or someone; to be hostile; to estrange away, that is, (passively and figuratively) to be non- participant: So, then we see here Paul declaring these Colossian Gentiles and every Gentile sinner to have been strangers to any knowledge of the True God known only by the Jews as YAHWEH (the One True God). Gentiles before Christ incarnation were left to worship false gods or deities that were no gods at all as Paul rebuked the Galatian believers for going back into unbelief with these words, “Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.” (Galatians 4:8-10) (KJV).

Two other important words used by Paul in this verse is the English word ‘enemies’ and the English phrase ‘in your minds’: First the English word ‘enemies’ is translated by the Greek word echthros which means (to hate); hateful (passively odious, or actively hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary or foe. Second the English phrase ‘in your minds’ is translated by one Greek word dianoia which means deep thought, properly the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication its exercise: - imagination, mind, understanding. So, then we see that these Colossian Gentile sinners and every sinner of every era have a deep seated and deep rooted hostility, anger, hatred toward the One True God which has its roots in the imagination of the mind and understanding as Paul declared with these words to the believers in Rome when he wrote, “Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot. So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please {or} satisfy God, {or} be acceptable to Him.” (Romans 8:6-8) (Amplified Bible).

This hostile carnal mind then produces only and at all times works that will gratify the carnal nature or the nature of the flesh that every person is born with as a result of the first man Adam’s disobedience and this is what Paul means here by his adding the two words ‘wicked works’ near the end of this verse which simply mean works or actions that are hurtful, harmful, vicious, lewd, degenerate, diseased, derelict, and mischievous to the person committing the works or actions and to others who may be on the receiving end of such actions like murder, rape, or assault, as Paul warned the believers in Ephesus to avoid with these words, “So this I say and solemnly testify in [the name of] the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the heathen (the Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds. Their moral understanding is darkened {and} their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the willful blindness) that is deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature]. In their spiritual apathy they have become callous {and} past feeling {and} reckless and have abandoned themselves [a prey] to unbridled sensuality, eager {and} greedy to indulge in every form of impurity [that their depraved desires may suggest and demand]. But you did not so learn Christ! Assuming that you have really heard Him {and} been taught by Him, as [all] Truth is in Jesus [embodied and personified in Him], Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts {and} desires that spring from delusion; And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:17-24) (Amplified Bible). 

However, Praise God that Paul declares these Colossians whom he’s writing to be reconciled to God through Christ, therefore, having now a change of mind and a change in their/our minds solely because of what Christ has done for them/us and in them/us. Paul uses the English phrase ‘hath He reconciled’ which is translated by the Greek word apokatallasso we discovered in our last study/commentary which means to reconcile fully: and completely, as Paul described and declared to the believers in Rome with these words, “Likewise, my brethren, you have undergone death as to the Law through the [crucified] Body of Christ, so that now you may belong to Another, to Him Who was raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. When we were living in the flesh (mere physical lives), the sinful passions that were awakened {and} aroused up by [what] the Law [makes sin] were constantly operating in our natural powers (in our bodily organs, in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh), so that we bore fruit for death. But now we are discharged from the Law {and} have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained {and} held us captive. So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life].” (Romans 7:4-6) (Amplified Bible). Note: “Here in Romans 7:4-6, Paul when speaking of the ‘Law’ is not speaking about the Ten Commandments, but instead the Law of Moses or the Jewish Ceremonial Laws (Ephesians 2:12-22), which the Rabbis had ballooned up to over 600 laws that must be followed to the letter. Also from the moment a sinner believes, this enmity and hostility toward God that is inherent in every sinner is immediately broken down and replaced by love to God and love for God, no longer His enemy, but now His friend.”

“It is we who are reconciled. It is God who reconciles. It is we who are enemies. The Divine patience loves on through all our enmity, and though perfect love meeting human sin must become wrath, which is consistent with love, it never becomes hatred, which is love’s opposite.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

“It has been for centuries and continues to be right up to this very moment the debate over whether we choose God in salvation by our faith to Him or whether He has chosen those for salvation (neglecting or damming others) before He ever made the earth and all the stars and other planets and galaxies in the many universes He created for Himself. No matter how a person wants to side in this debate is not for me to determine, but what I can say with a concrete and rock solid assurance is what Paul declares here in this one verse and that is that every man and woman is an enemy of God before Christ reconciles them by His Blood. No one can ever say that they love God and mean it until they know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…