Introduction to Colossians

False doctrine has always been a problem since the entrance of in in the world.  Everything that is of value ends up being the object of forgery.  Perhaps true doctrine is the most valuable thing in the world.  The church in Colosse was made up of both Jews and Gentiles so it suffered from influences of two different extremes: Jewish legalism and Gentile mysticism.  Paul’s desire is to promote sound doctrine in the church as well as the practical application of that doctrine.  The principle heresy in Colosse became known as Gnosticism and ended up being an issue in many of the churches of that day.  Gnosticism considers the physical world to be sinful so it promotes the idea that in order to be saved we must have a spiritual enlightenment that involves a mystical deeper knowledge of God that goes beyond what is taught in Scripture.  The incarnation and the deity of Christ were both under attack by these false teachings.  Jesus was seen to be less than God and the resurrection was doubted because it involves the restoration of a physical body.  On top of this false teaching there was also the influence of legalism that tried to impose circumcision, keeping the Law and other rituals as conditions for salvation.  Epaphras, the founder of the church, is so worried about the condition of the church that he travels to Rome in order to consult with Paul about these issues.  Paul’s response is to send this letter.

INSTRUCTIONS ON BIBLICAL DOCTRINE: Paul’s first priority is to defend the deity of Christ.  He presents Christ as the very image of the invisible God and as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.  Christ is the head of the church and through the church is uniting a body of believers who are united with one another in Christ and reconciled to the Father through Christ.  He is the true source of knowledge and not some mystical and nebulous experience. Paul wants to warn the church not to fall for teachings that represent the wisdom of man and claim that there is some sort of higher knowledge that faith in Christ is not able to deliver.  Paul also warns them not to be pulled into the trap of legalism.  Both of these false doctrines seek to imply that faith in Christ is simply not enough.  Mysticism places its emphasis of personal experience as a means of knowing and being drawn near to God.  Asceticism seeks to emphasize personal discipline and the denial of any physical pleasure as a means of pleasing God.  Both of these seek to approach God through one’s own merits and not on Christ’s.  We must turn from any teaching that diminishes the work of Christ or the deity of Christ in favor of human effort or enlightenment.  We are saved by faith in Christ alone and not by any mystic experience or mighty effort we might make.

EXHORTATIONS ON BIBLICAL DUTY: God does call us to live in a way that demonstrates the character of Christ.  We are to be imitators of Him.  This involves putting away the sinful acts of the old nature and putting on the godly life of the new man that we become through the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in our lives.  We are not saved by obedience to the Law; but because of our salvation we desire to turn from the immorality and dishonesty of the world in order to embrace a life of submission to the Lord in love.  This new way of living will be reflected in all of our relationships.  The way that we treat our spouse will be determined by the standards of God’s Word and not the whims of human desire.  The obedience of children as well as the nurturing of parents are all to be brought under the will of God as a means of demonstrating the love and purity of Jesus.  The way that workers serve their employers and the work ethic of employees should reflect the character of Christ.  When we become believers every aspect of our lives is affected and ends up being conformed to the image of Christ.  The way that we talk and the people with whom we associate are all to be brought under the authority of Christ.  Biblical doctrine should always produce