Bible in one year 3/10/2022 Colossians 1-4
By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce
Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts &Gospel music;
Pastoral ministry & Counseling
Introduction to the letter of Paul to the
Colossians
Author: Paul Date: 61
The church at Colossae
– About 100 miles east
of Ephesus, and near Laodicea and Hierapolis (4:13), Colossae was an ancient
but declining commercial center. The gospel may have been taken there during
Paul’s ministry at Ephesus (Acts19:10), though it was Epaphras who played the
major role in the evangelism and growth of the Colossians. Paul was personally
unacquainted with the believers there (2:1), but Epaphras either visited Paul
in prison or was imprisoned with him (Philem.23) and reported on conditions in
this church.
Place of Writing – Like Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon,
Colossians was written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome (see the
introduction to Titus and the introduction to Philippians for other suggestions
as to the place of writing). The many personal references common to Colossians
and Philemon and the many similarities of ideas in Colossians and Ephesians
link these letters. Tychicus was apparently the bearer of the letter
(Eph.6:21;Col.4:7).
The Colossian Heresy – From Paul’s counter emphases in the
epistle, we can discern come of the features of the false teaching at Colossae.
It was syncretistic, fusing Jewish legalism, Greek philosophic speculation, and
Oriental mysticism related to Gnosticism. Specifics included dietary and
Sabbath observances and circumcision rites (2:11,16), the worship of angels
(2:18), and the practice of asceticism, which stemmed from the belief that the
body was inherently evil (2:21-23). In combating this heresy, Paul emphasizes
the cosmic significance of Christ as Lord of creation and Head of the Church.
Any teaching, practice, or intermediary that detracts from the uniqueness and
centrality of Christ is against the faith.
Contents - The theme is the supremacy and all
–sufficiency of Christ. Import subjects include Christ’s person and work
(1:15-23), heresy (2:8-23), and believers’ union with Christ.(3:1-4).
Colossian Chapter 1
(KJV)
Introduction: gratitude for the Colossians’
faith; Christ’s Character
1 Paul, an apostle of
Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
2 To the saints and
faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace,
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to
God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 Since we heard of
your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
5 For the hope which
is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth
of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto
you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in
you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
7 As ye also learned
of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of
Christ;
8 Who also declared
unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we
also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire
that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and
spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk
worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and
increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with
all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering
with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto
the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the
saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered
us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his
dear Son:
14 In whom we have
redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of
the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
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:
17 And he is before
all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head
of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead;
that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the
Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made
peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto
himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were
sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he
reconciled
22 In the body of his
flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in
his sight:
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;
24 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:
25 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;
26 Even the mystery
which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to
his saints:
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:
28 Whom we preach,
warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present
every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also
labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
『憑神旨意，作基督耶穌使徒的保羅，和弟兄提摩太，』西一1
『寫信給在歌羅西的聖徒，就是在基督裏忠信的弟兄：願恩典與平安，從神我們的父歸與你們。』西一2
『我們感謝神，我們主耶穌基督的父，常常為你們禱告，』西一3
『因聽見你們對基督耶穌的信，並對眾聖徒的愛，』西一4
『是因那給你們存在諸天之上的盼望，就是你們從前在福音真理的話上所聽見的；』西一5
『這福音傳到你們那裏，也傳到全世界，一直結果增長，正如在你們中間，自從你們聽見，並在真實中認識神恩典的日子一樣；』西一6
『正如你們從我們所親愛，一同作奴僕的以巴弗所學的，他為你們作了基督忠信的執事，』西一7
『也把你們在那靈裏的愛告訴了我們。』西一8
『所以，我們自從聽見的日子，也就為你們不住的禱告祈求，願你們在一切屬靈的智慧和悟性上，充分認識神的旨意，』西一9
『行事為人配得過主，以致凡事蒙祂喜悅，在一切善工上結果子，藉著認識神而長大，』西一10
『照祂榮耀的權能，得以在各樣的力上加力，使你們凡事歡歡喜喜的忍耐寬容,』西一11
『感謝父，叫你們彀資格在光中同得所分給眾聖徒的分；』西一12
『祂拯救了我們脫離黑暗的權勢，把我們遷入祂愛子的國裏；』西一13
『我們在愛子裏得蒙救贖，就是罪得赦免。』西一14
『愛子是那不能看見之神的像，是一切受造之物的首生者。』西一15
『因為萬有，無論是在諸天之上的、在地上的、能看見的、不能看見的、或是有位的、主治的、執政的、掌權的，都是在祂裏面造的；萬有都是藉著祂並為著祂造的；』西一16
『祂在萬有之先，萬有也在祂裏面得以維繫；』西一17
『祂也是召會身體的頭；祂是元始，是從死人中復活的首生者，使祂可以在萬有中居首位；』西一18
『因為一切的豐滿，樂意居住在祂裏面，』西一19
『並且既藉著祂在十字架上的血，成就了和平，便藉著祂叫萬有，無論是在地上的、或是在諸天之上的，都與自己和好了。』西一20
『你們從前是隔絕的，因著惡行心思裏與祂為敵，』西一21
『但如今祂在基督肉體的身體裏，藉著死，叫你們與自己和好了，把你們聖別、沒有瑕疵、無可責備的呈獻在自己面前；』西一22
『只要你們一直留於信仰中，根基立定，堅定不移，不被移動離開福音的盼望；這福音就是你們所聽過，傳與天下一切受造之物的，我保羅也作了這福音的執事。』西一23
『現在我因著為你們所受的苦難喜樂，並且為基督的身體，就是為召會，在我一面，在我肉身上補滿基督患難的缺欠；』西一24
『我照神為你們所賜我的管家職分，作了召會的執事，要完成神的話，』西一25
『就是歷世歷代以來所隱藏的奧祕，但如今向祂的聖徒顯明了；』西一26
『神願意叫他們知道，這奧祕的榮耀在外邦人中是何等的豐富，就是基督在你們裏面成了榮耀的盼望；』西一27
『我們宣揚祂，是用全般的智慧警戒各人，教導各人，好將各人在基督裏成熟的獻上；』西一28
『我也為此勞苦，照著祂在我裏面大能的運行，竭力奮鬥。』西一29
Chapter 2 The Exalted
Christianity; exalted over Philosophy, Legalism, Mystical Teaching, and
Ascticism.
Exalted over Philosophy
1 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;
2 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;
3 In whom are hid all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 And this I say, lest
any man should beguile you with enticing words.
5 For though I be
absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your
order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore
received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up
in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein
with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man
spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after
the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth
all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete
in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Exalted over Legalism
11 In whom also ye are
circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body
of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in
baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation
of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead
in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together
with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the
handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and
took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled
principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them
in it.
16 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:
17 Which are a shadow
of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Exalted over Mystical Teaching
18 Let no man beguile
you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding
into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the
Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment
ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Exalted over Ascticism
20 Wherefore if ye be
dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the
world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste
not; handle not;
22 Which all are to
perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed
a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not
in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
『我願意你們曉得，我為你們和那些在老底嘉，甚至所有在肉身上沒有見過我面的人，是何等竭力奮鬥，』西二1
『要叫他們的心得安慰，在愛裏結合一起，以致豐豐富富的在悟性上有充分的確信，能以完全認識神的奧祕，就是基督；』西二2
『一切智慧和知識的寶藏，都藏在祂裏面。』西二3
『我說這話，免得有人用花言巧語欺騙你們。』西二4
『我在肉身裏雖然離開，在靈裏卻與你們同在，歡喜看見你們整齊有序，並堅定的信入基督。』西二5
『你們既然接受了基督，就是主耶穌，』西二6
『在祂裏面已經生根，並正被建造，且照著你們所受的教導，在信心上得以堅固，洋溢著感謝，就要在祂裏面行事為人。』西二7
『你們要謹慎，恐怕有人用他的哲學，和虛空的欺騙，照著人的傳統，照著世上的蒙學，不照著基督，把你們擄去；』西二8
『因為神格一切的豐滿，都有形有體的居住在基督裏面，』西二9
『你們在祂裏面也得了豐滿。祂是一切執政掌權者的元首；』西二10
『你們在祂裏面也受了非人手所行的割禮，乃是在基督的割禮裏，脫去了肉體的身體，』西二11
『在受浸中與祂一同埋葬，也在受浸中，藉著那叫祂從死人中復活之神所運行的信心，與祂一同復活。』西二12
『你們從前在過犯，和未受割禮的肉體中死了，神赦免了你們一切的過犯，叫你們一同與基督活過來；』西二13
『塗抹了規條上所寫，攻擊我們，反對我們的字據，並且把它撤去，釘在十字架上。』西二14
『既將執政的和掌權的脫下，神就把他們公然示眾，仗著十字架在凱旋中向他們誇勝。』西二15
『所以不拘在飲食上、或在節期、月朔、或安息日方面，都不可讓人論斷你們，』西二16
『這些原是要來之事的影兒，那實體卻屬於基督。』西二17
『不可讓人憑故意卑微，並敬拜天使，所作反對你們的判斷，騙取你們的獎賞；這等人留戀於所見過的，隨著自己肉體的心思，徒然自高自大，』西二18
『不持定元首；本於祂，全身藉著節和筋，得了豐富的供應，並結合一起，就以神的增長而長大。』西二19
『你們若是與基督同死，脫離了世上的蒙學，為甚麼仍像在世界中活著，服從那不可拿，不可嘗，不可摸等類的規條？』西二20
『（20、21節合併）』西二21
『這些都是照著人的吩咐和教導，一經使用，就都敗壞了。』西二22
『這些事在私意敬拜，自表卑微和苦待己身上，確有智慧之名，但在克制肉體的放縱上，卻是毫無價值。』西二23
Chapter 3 The Exalted
Calling, Characteristics of our calling, in everyday life, in the home, and in
slave- master relationships
The Certainties of Our Calling
1 If ye then be risen
with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the
right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on
things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and
your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our
life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
The Characteristics of Our Calling; in everyday life
5 Mortify therefore
your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate
affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things'
sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also
walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice,
blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man
with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after
the image of him that created him:
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels
of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
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.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of
perfectness.
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.
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.
The Characteristics of our calling, in the Home
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well
pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be
discouraged.
23 And whatsoever ye
do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the
Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord
Christ.
25 But he that doeth
wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect
of persons.
『所以你們若與基督一同復活，就當尋求在上面的事，那裏有基督坐在神的右邊.西三1
『你們要思念在上面的事，不要思念在地上的事。』西三2
『因為你們已經死了，你們的生命與基督一同藏在神裏面。』西三3
『基督是我們的生命，祂顯現的時候，你們也要與祂一同顯現在榮耀裏。』西三4
『所以要治死你們在地上的肢體，就是淫亂、污穢、邪情、惡慾和貪婪，貪婪就是拜偶像，』西三5
『因這些事，神的忿怒正臨到那悖逆之子。』西三6
『當你們在這些事中活著的時候，也曾在其間行事為人過。』西三7
『但現在你們要脫去這一切的事，就是忿怒、惱恨、惡毒、毀謗，並你們口中所出可恥的穢語。』西三8
『不要彼此說謊，因你們已經脫去舊人，同舊人的行為，』西三9
『並且穿上了新人；這新人照著創造他者的形像漸漸更新，以致有充足的知識;』西三10
『在此並沒有希利尼人和猶太人、受割禮的和未受割禮的、化外人、西古提人、為奴的、自主的，惟有基督是一切，又在一切之內。』西三11
『所以你們既是神的選民，聖別蒙愛的人，就要穿上憐恤的心腸、恩慈、卑微、溫柔、恆忍。』西三12
『倘若這人與那人有嫌隙，總要彼此容忍，彼此饒恕；主怎樣饒恕了你們，你們也要怎樣饒恕人。』西三13
『在這一切之上，還要穿上愛，愛是全德的聯索。』西三14
『又要讓基督的平安在你們心裏作仲裁，你們在一個身體裏蒙召，也是為了這平安；且要感恩。』西三15
『當用各樣的智慧，讓基督的話豐豐富富的住在你們裏面，用詩章、頌辭、靈歌，彼此教導，互相勸戒，心被恩感歌頌神；』西三16
『凡你們所作的，無論是甚麼，或說話，或行事，都要在主耶穌的名裏，藉著祂感謝父神。』西三17
『作妻子的，要服從丈夫，這在主裏是相宜的。』西三18
『作丈夫的，要愛妻子，不可苦待她們。』西三19
『作兒女的，要凡事順從父母，因為這在主裏是可喜悅的。』西三20
『作父親的，不要惹你們兒女的氣，免得他們灰心喪志。』西三21
『作奴僕的，要凡事順從肉身的主人，不要只在眼前事奉，像是討人喜歡的，乃要憑心中的單純敬畏主。』西三22
『你們無論作甚麼，都要從心裏作，像是給主作的，不是給人作的，』西三23
『知道你們從主那裏必得著基業為賞報；你們所事奉的乃是主基督。』西三24
『那行不義的，必受不義的報應，並沒有偏待人的事。』西三25
Chapter 4 The Exalted Calling In prayers, in
witness and speech and concluding personal remarks.
1 Masters, give unto
your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master
in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with
thanksgiving;
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:
4 That I may make it
manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye
may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7 All my state shall
Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister
and fellowservant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent
unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your
hearts;
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.
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;)
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.
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.
13 For I bear him
record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and
them in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved
physician, and Demas, greet you.
15 Salute the brethren
which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
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.
17 And say to
Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that
thou fulfil it.
18 The salutation by
the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
『作主人的，要公公平平的對待奴僕，知道你們也有一位主在天上。』西四1
『你們要堅定持續的禱告，在此儆醒感恩，』西四2
『同時也要為我們禱告，求神給我們開傳道的門，能以講說基督的奧祕，（我也為此被捆鎖，）』西四3
『叫我按著所當說的，將這奧祕顯明出來。』西四4
『你們對於外人要憑智慧行事，要贖回光陰。』西四5
『你們的言語總要帶著恩典，好像用鹽調和，就可知道你們應當怎樣回答各人。』西四6
『一切關於我的事，有親愛的弟兄，忠信的執事，在主裏同作奴僕的推基古，要告訴你們。』西四7
『我為這事打發他到你們那裏去，好叫你們知道關於我們的事，又叫他安慰你們的心；』西四8
『還有忠信親愛的弟兄歐尼西母同去，他是你們那裏的人。他們要把這裏一切的事都告訴你們。』西四9
『與我一同坐監的亞里達古問你們安。巴拿巴的表弟馬可也問你們安。（說到這馬可，你們已經受了吩咐，他若到了你們那裏，你們就接待他。）』西四10
『那稱為猶士都的耶數，也問你們安；奉割禮的人中，只有這些人是為神的國作我的同工，他們也成了我的安慰。』西四11
『有你們那裏的人，作基督耶穌奴僕的以巴弗問你們安；他在禱告中常為你們竭力奮鬥，要你們得以成熟，站立得住，在神一切的旨意上滿有確信。』西四12
『我可以給他作見證，他為你們和那些在老底嘉，並在希拉波立的人，多多的辛勞。』西四13
『親愛的醫生路加，和底馬問你們安。』西四14
『請問在老底嘉的弟兄和寧法，並他家裏的召會安。』西四15
『這書信在你們中間念了之後，務要叫在老底嘉的召會也念，你們也要念從老底嘉來的書信。』西四16
『要告訴亞基布：務要留心你在主裏所領受的職事，好盡這職事。』西四17
『我保羅親筆問安。你們要記念我的捆鎖。願恩典與你們同在。』西四18
Bibliography,
King
James, The Holy Bible, Cleveland, OH: The world publishing company
Lee,
Witness. The New Testament (R.V.) Anaheim, CA: Living Stream
Ministry, 1985.
Ryrie, Charles C. The
Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986
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