Proclaimer Blog
A word of expectation: Notes on Colossians part 11
The final part today!
The connection between 2:20 and 3:1 should not be missed. An established pattern of Christian relationships (3:1-4:6) is aptly joined to the main matter of the letter. Compare the different application in Ephesians.
The Pattern is a general one:-
I. The Christian and Christ Col 3:1-7
II. The Christian and the (local) church Col 3:8-17
III. The Christian and the family Col 3:18-21
IV. The Christian and the workplace Col 3:22-4:1
V. The Christian and the outsider Col 4:2-6
The Application is an appropriate one:-
- Elitism misunderstands the extraordinary privileges of 3:1-4. Living in Christ they are still living in Colosse. It is time to return to earth from fantasy land. Though seated in the heavenlies with Christ sin is not yet vanquished, depravity eradicated, nor the fight won. Mortification (the Christian variety) is a permanent obligation, since Christ is coming – and so is the wrath of God!
- Elitism promises a heavenly unity above the strife and the doctrinal differences. It is an illusion. Reality is spelt out at length in 3:8-17. It is humbling stuff. It is hard to ‘bear with each other’ (13), to tolerate and cope with our brothers and sisters, to forgive as the Lord forgave us (imagine). Let peace rule in the assembly (15).
- Paul teaches a subordinationist ethic. Resurrection life does not cancel social realities that are part of the created order, either in the home or the household of God. ‘The Son would no longer be the kind of Son we know him to be if he ceased to be obedient to, and dependent on, the Father’ (Barrett).
- Elitism characteristically has problems with both heavenly and human authority. In familiar form, total devotion to sectarian leadership easily permits a disregard of the authority of Christ the Head (3:19). And while obedience to Jesus as Lord may necessitate rejection of corrupt authorities (Acts 4:19), nevertheless Romans 13:1-7 remains normative. See 1 Tim 6:2.
- Bold preaching in a hostile environment, with battling in prayer, seems to be the regular standard for Paul and his fellow-workers (Ephesians 6:10-18 is an intriguing commentary). But winning the outsider is our proper calling rather than securing trophies from within the churches for our select company of ‘saints’.
The Colossian believers had received Christ as Lord. They are urged now to live in Him, according to the Faith as taught them by that faithful minister of Christ (and of Paul), Epaphras (1:7; 4:12, 13). It is a familiar N.T. exhortation (e.g. 2 Tim 3:14f; Heb 13:7f).
For those privileged to serve both gospel and church, Elitism, a form of manic Christianity, is only one of many threats to Christian unity and stability. But, if Paul is our mentor, here in this letter it gives us an incentive to preach the Word of God in its wholeness, namely the mystery of Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
CHRIST IS ALL AND IN ALL