11. Where--Translate, "Wherein," namely, in the sphere of the renewed
man.
neither . . . nor . . . nor . . . nor--Translate as Greek, "There
is no such thing as Greek and Jew (the difference of privilege
between those born of the natural seed of Abraham and those not, is
abolished), circumcision and uncircumcision
(the difference of legal
standing between the circumcised and uncircumcised is done away,
Ga 6:15)
--bondman, freeman." The presentChurch is one called out of the
flesh, and the present world-course
(Eph 2:2),
wherein such distinctions exist, to life in the Spirit, and to the
future first resurrection: and this because Satan has such power now
over the flesh and the world. At Christ's coming when Satan shall no
longer rule the flesh and the world, the nations in the flesh, and the
word in millennial felicity, shall be the willing subjects of Christ
and His glorified saints
(Da 7:14, 22, 27;
Lu 19:17, 19;
Re 20:1-6; 3:21).
Israel in Canaan was a type of that future state when the Jews, so
miraculously preserved distinct now in their dispersion, shall be the
central Church of the Christianized world. As expressly as Scripture
abolishes the distinction of Jew and Greek now as to religious
privileges, so does it expressly foretell that in the coming new order
of things, Israel shall be first of the Christian nations, not for her
own selfish aggrandizement, but for their good, as the medium of
blessing to them. Finally, after the millennium, the life that is in
Christ becomes the power which transfigures nature, in the time
of the new heaven and the new earth; as, before, it first transfigured
the spiritual, then the political and social world.
Scythian--heretofore regarded as more barbarian than the barbarians.
Though the relation of bond and free actually existed, yet in relation
to Christ, all alike were free in one aspect, and servants of Christ in
another
(1Co 7:22;
Ga 3:28).
Christ is all--Christ absorbs in Himself all distinctions, being to
all alike, everything that they need for justification, sanctification,
and glorification
(1Co 1:30; 3:21-23;
Ga 2:20).
in all--who believe and are renewed, without distinction of person;
the sole distinction now is, how much each draws from Christ. The unity
of the divine life shared in by all believers, counterbalances all
differences, even as great as that between the polished "Greek" and
the rude "Scythian." Christianity imparts to the most uncivilized the
only spring of sound, social and moral culture.
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)