Colossians 2:1-5

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.  For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

 

The churches in Asia Minor outside of Ephesus were planted indirectly by Paul while he ministered in Ephesus.  Many people from the region traveled to the port city of Ephesus where Paul and his team were teaching and preparing leaders for the church.  Though Paul knew many members of the churches and the founders, He had never been in the churches personally.  This letter is likely a “circular letter” that was meant to be passed from church to church.  Paul expresses his prayers for these churches.

 

PAUL DESIRES TO ENCOURAGE THROUGH HIS PRESENCE: Paul has a love for these churches that he has never visited.  Certainly, he knows several of the members at these churches, but struggles with the fact that he has not been able to visit them all personally.  It is interesting to see Paul describe the desired outcome of a potential visit as encouragement and being unified in love.  That is not a typical stereotype that is associated with Paul.  We might consider him to be a defender of the faith but not typically an encourager who wants to promote love.  The ministry of encouragement and unifying the body of Christ in the bond of love is sorely needed in the church today.

 

PAUL PROVIDES ASSURANCE THROUGH GODS PROVISION: The love and encouragement Paul longs to provide springs from an assurance in the Gospel of Christ.  Paul longs to be able to proclaim the richness of the Gospel so they will have a complete and accurate understanding and knowledge of who Christ is and what He has done.  Christ is the source of a vast treasure of wisdom and knowledge.  We encourage and love one another and can be assured of our standing before God because of what Christ has accomplished on our behalf through His death and resurrection. 

 

PAUL MOTIVATES FIRMNESS THROUGH GOD’S PROTECTION: The Gospel is the best source of protection from false doctrines.  Paul was aware that there could be false teachers who were present in these places who would try to delude the members of the church with human wisdom and rationalizations.  To help combat this influence, Paul writes this letter to assure the churches of his prayers and personal concern that they stand firm in the Gospel.  His physical distance is not to be confused with indifference.  He is present with them in Spirit. 


APPLICATION: Encourage others and promote a spirit of unity and love in the body of Christ.  Faithfully proclaim the Gospel and point to the glorious riches we have in Christ.  Don’t be deceived by false and man-centered teachings.  Help others to be firm in their faith in the Lord Jesus.

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