Colossians Talk 6. Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ – what, why, where

This is the sixth talk in our series on Themes from Colossians.

 

So far we’ve considered:

• The Supremacy of Christ – who he is (Talk 1)
• Freedom in Christ – what he has done for us (Talks 2&3)
• Living for Christ – what we should do for him (Talks 4&5)

 

Our final theme is:

Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ – what, why, where, how

 

Today we’ll consider:

What is the gospel – what?

The purpose of the gospel – why?

The universality of the gospel – where?

Next time, how?

 

What is the gospel? – what?

Colossians 1:6

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.

 

The word gospel means good news.

It’s the good news of God’s grace.

God’s grace is God’s unmerited favour shown to us in the forgiveness of our sins on the basis of Christ’s sacrificial death on our behalf. This is made clear in Colossians 1:22-23.

 

Colossians 1:21-23

21. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.
22. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-
23. if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature (in all creation) under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

So we were enemies by our attitude and actions (21)

But Jesus died for us and we have been reconciled to God (22)

This all started with God’s grace (6)

We received it by faith (23)

As a result we will be presented holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (22)

This is conditional upon our continuing in our faith. We must not move from the hope held out in the gospel (23). Our salvation is by faith from first to last (Romans 1:17).

 

The Purpose of the Gospel – why?

 

Colossians 1:28-29

28. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
29. To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

 

What does Paul mean by present everyone perfect?

 

Note the word everyone. The saved and the unsaved. His purpose is twofold:

 

• To proclaim Christ (28) to those who do not yet know him
• and to those who already know him.

 

It is only in Christ that we can be presented perfect.

We must come to Christ and continue in Christ.

Jesus died to cleanse us from our sin

When we received him as our saviour we were washed (made clean), justified (declared righteous) and sanctified (made holy) (1 Corinthians 6:11)

 

But our sanctification is an ongoing process

So Paul labours to present everyone perfect in Christ

He does this by proclaiming Christ, admonishing and teaching everyone

 

 

 

The universality of the gospel – where?

 

Colossians 1:6

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing,

 

Colossians 1:23

This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature (in all creation) under heaven

 

Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Compare Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, Acts 1:8).

 

How seriously are you taking this command of the Lord Jesus? Our aim should be the same as Paul’s, to present everyone perfect in Christ.

 

Next time we’ll be considering how.

Talk 5. Living for Christ – what we should do for him (2)

Welcome to Talk 5 in our series on Themes from Colossians.
In Talk 1 we saw the Supremacy of Christ – who he is.
In Talks 2&3 we considered our Freedom in Christ – what he has done for us. We saw that on the cross:

Jesus defeated the enemy
He has redeemed us from his power
He rescued us from his dominion
He has forgiven our sins and set us free from the Law of the OT
He has made us alive with Christ
He has qualified us to share in his inheritance
He has brought us into his kingdom
He has given us fulness in Christ

Last time we were considering Living for Christ – what we should do for him. We were looking at Colossians 3:1-17. We concluded by saying:

It’s as we allow the word of Christ to dwell in us that the peace of Christ will rule in our hearts. As Christians it’s God’s word that informs and authenticates our beliefs and actions and to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus means that we seek constantly to live our lives subject to the authority of his word (cf. vv.15-17).

Today we continue with same theme and the passage we’re considering is Colossians 3:18-4:1. In these verses Paul applies the principles he has been teaching to three specific groups of people:

wives (18) and husbands (19)
children (20) and fathers (21)
slaves (22-25) and masters (4:1)

In each of the three relationships here, those who are told to submit (or obey) are mentioned first. This is then balanced by instruction to those who are in authority.

Although these instructions must be interpreted bearing in mind the culture of the day, the principles underlying them are clear.

Wives and husbands
18. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Paul’s instruction that wives should submit to their husbands must be understood in the light of his wider teaching on the subject. Note:

A. The parallel he draws between husband/wife relationships and divine relationships within the Godhead

1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

As Christians we believe that Christ is coequal with God. Yet here we see that God is the head of Christ. There is no contradiction here. It’s part of the mystery of the Trinity. In a similar way, husbands and wives are equal, yet Paul says that the husband is the head.

B. The parallel between husband/wife relationships and the relationship between Christ and the church

Ephesians 5:21-24
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

But this is to be seen in the light of what Christ does for the Church:

Ephesians 5:25-26, 29
25 Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word
29 After all, no-one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church

C. The responsibilities Paul places on husbands to love their wives
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

D. The liberation that has been brought to millions of women through Christian teaching (as distinct from Judaism and Islam, for example)

Children and parents

Instructions to children
Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

In Ephesians Paul links this directly with Exodus 20:12.

Ephesians 6:1-2
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 ‘Honour your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise
3 ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’

Taking these two passages together we see that children should obey and honour their parents. The instruction to obey ends with adulthood. The instruction to honour lasts a lifetime! They should do so because:

it pleases the Lord
it’s the right thing to do
it will go well with them if they do.

It pleases the Lord
Perhaps Paul had in mind the example of Jesus in Luke 2:51-52

51. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

It’s the right thing to do
This follows from both the OT commandment and the example of Jesus.

It will go well with them if they do

Ephesians 6:2-3
2 ‘Honour your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise
3 ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’

Of course, the command and the promise were originally given to the nation of Israel.

Exodus 20:12
Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

In its original context it could well mean that Israel would not survive long in the land of Canaan if children did not honour and obey their parents. Family life is vital to the health of any community.

But Paul seems to be taking the promise to refer to individuals.
Does this mean that all who honour their parents will enjoy long life?
This raises the whole question of how we understand God’s promises and how we apply them in our lives. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend you listen to the series of podcasts I gave last year on the promises of God. So today please forgive just a brief comment.

The NIV translation on the earth, though permissible, is probably not the best. Compare ESV in the land which is preferable. (Greek ge can mean either land or earth). Understood this way Paul isn’t promising that all who honour their parents will have long life on earth. The Christian emphasis is on life beyond the grave! We have eternal life!

Consider the many who like Stephen were martyred for their faith.

Instructions to parents
Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

While children are instructed to obey their parents, it’s the fathers who are told not to embitter or exasperate their children. In the culture of the day with the heavy emphasis on male authority it was much more likely to be the fathers who were guilty of this. But the exhortation could equally well apply to mothers.

Discipline is essential in the home, but not unnecessary rules and regulations and endless petty correction by which children are discouraged.

‘Parents should care more for the loyalty of their children to Christ than for anything besides, more for this than for their health, their intellectual vigour and brilliance, their material prosperity, their social position, their exemption from great sorrows and great misfortunes’. (RW Dale, 1883).

Slaves and masters
Colossians 3
22. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
23. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
24. since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord
as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
25. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favouritism.
4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

As we saw when we were talking about wives and husbands, Paul’s instructions must be understood within the framework of the culture prevalent at the time. Today they may be perhaps more meaningfully applied to employers and employees.

We may well ask why New Testament writers like Paul and Peter (1 Peter 2) did not denounce slavery as did William Wilberforce in the 19th century. I think the most likely answer to that question is that NT writers clearly believed that the Lord’s return was imminent (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Social reform was, therefore, not at the heart of their concern. What was more important for Paul was the fact that as believers we are in Christ and that in Christ there is neither slave nor free.

Colossians 3:11:
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Instructions to slaves
Slaves are instructed to:
obey their earthly masters in everything (22)
do it with sincerity of heart (22) and work at it with all their heart (23)
do everything as for the Lord (23) out of reverence for him. It’s the Lord Christ you are serving (24).

They are encouraged by two facts:

They will be rewarded
24. since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord
as a reward.

There will be ultimate justice
25. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favouritism.

Compare Ephesians 6:5-9 which is virtually identical.
See also 1 Peter 2:16-25.

Instructions to masters
Colossians 4:1
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Ephesians 6:9
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him.

What does Paul mean by in the same way?
Like the slaves, they are to do what they do ‘as for the Lord’.
What Paul means by this is further clarified in the following passages:

Philemon 15-16
15. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for ever – no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother.
16. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

See also 1 Corinthians 7:17-23

Concluding thoughts on this section
Whatever our role in the family or in society, the important thing is that we live in right relationship with each other and God has given us guidelines to show how we can do that.

It is interesting that whatever our role may be, it may not be the same forever.
For example, a child is not always a child and a slave may not always be a slave.
Whatever our role, it is important that we view it from a heavenly perspective rather than merely an earthly one.
Whatever we do, whether it be within the family or in the workplace, we should do everything as for the Lord. This is because we are in Christ.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (3:17).

For more on this theme see 1 Peter 2:13-15, 18-25, 3:1-7

Talk 4. Living for Christ – what we should do for him

Welcome to the fourth talk in our series on Themes from Colossians.

 

In Talk 1 we saw the Supremacy of Christ – who he is.

In Talks 2&3 we considered our Freedom in Christ – what he has done for us. We saw that:

 

On the cross

Jesus defeated the enemy

He has redeemed us from his power

He rescued us from his dominion

 

As a result

He has forgiven our sins and set us free from the Law of the OT

He has made us alive with Christ

He has qualified us to share in his inheritance

He has brought us into his kingdom

He has given us fulness in Christ

 

Today and next time we’ll be considering Living for Christ – what we should do for him.

The passage we’re considering today is Colossians 3:1-17

 

Colossians 3:1-4

1. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 

v 1  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ

Then = therefore. Paul is referring back to what he’s already taught about who Christ is and what he’s done for us (cf. Talks 1-3).

 

The supremacy of Christ is summarized by:

Christ is seated at the right hand of God (v 1)

 

What he has done for us is summarized in 3 different tenses:

Past.   Present.   Future

1. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 

These wonderful facts must affect our entire way of thinking:

 

1. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

 

And a change of attitude will result in a change of action:

 

Colossians 3:5-9.   Things to be avoided

5. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

 

Colossians 3:9-14.   Things to embrace

9. 9. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10. and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

 

But what’s the secret to avoiding the bad and embracing the good? Notice what Paul says:

 

5. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

 

8. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

 

12. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

 

14. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity

 

Notice that in telling us to do these things, he’s telling us to do what we’ve already done!

 

9. 9. …you have taken off your old self with its practices
10. …have put on the new self

 

So why does he tell us to put on what we’ve already put on?!

He’s telling us to be what we are!

In Christ we already are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Paul is telling us to live accordingly.

If Christ had not already changed me, I could not possibly be what he wants me to be. But because he has already made us holy, we can live holy lives.Trying to live a holy life doesn’t make us holy, but because God has already made us holy, we can live holy lives.

Colossians 3:15-17

15. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

It’s as we allow the word of Christ to dwell in us that the peace of Christ will rule in our hearts. As Christians it’s God’s word that informs and authenticates our beliefs and actions and to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus means that we seek constantly to live our lives subject to his word.

 

Summary

Because of who Christ is and because of what he has done for us, Paul encourages us to set our hearts and minds on heavenly things rather than earthly things.

 

This is possible because, since we received Christ as our Saviour,  God sees us as identified with him in his death, burial and resurrection. We have been raised with Christ, who is seated at God’s right hand.

 

So we’re to stop thinking and behaving in an earthly way. A right attitude will lead to right actions. Paul calls this putting off the old self and putting on the new. We’re to be what we are in Christ.

 

Things like sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language and lying are totally incompatible with our heavenly status. Whereas compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love and peace are qualities that reflect who we truly are in Christ.

 

Whatever we do we’re to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. We can only do this as we let his word dwell in us and as we teach and encourage one another in love.

Talk 3. Freedom in Christ – what he has done for us (2)

Welcome to the third talk in our series Themes from Colossians.

In our first talk we considered The Supremacy of Christ – who he is. Basing our thoughts mainly on Colossians 1:15-20, we saw that:

• Jesus is God
• Jesus is eternal
• Jesus is creator
• Jesus is sustainer
• Jesus is head over all things
• Jesus is our saviour

In Talk 2 we began to examine our freedom in Christ and what he has done for us. We concentrated on Col. 1:12-14 and saw that he has:

• Qualified us to share in his inheritance
• Rescued us from the dominion of darkness
• Brought us into his kingdom
• Redeemed us and forgiven our sins.

In today’s talk we’ll be concentrating on Colossians 2:9-23.

We’ll start by reading vv. 9-15

9. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
10. and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
11. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,
12. having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
13. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
14. having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
15. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

The key to this passage is understanding that God has given us fullness in Christ

10. and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

Or You are complete in him…

What does this mean?

It means that if you are in Christ you don’t need anything else.

This is because Christ is the head over every power and authority.

Cf. He is head over all things (1:18).

He has disarmed them, made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by his death on the cross (15).

And through your faith in him and obedience to him in baptism you are identified with him:

12. having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

So because you are in Christ, the head over all things:

• You don’t need circumcision
• You don’t need the law of the Old Testament
• You don’t need man-made rules and regulations.

You don’t need circumcision (11)

11. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,

Cf. 13 in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature

Circumcision was the sign of the covenant God made with Abraham

To be uncircumcised was to be outside the covenant

But when we came to Christ we entered into a new and better covenant

So by faith we have been ‘circumcised’ not in the flesh but in our hearts.

You don’t need the law of the Old Testament (14)

…having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

The written code refers to the Law of the Old Testament.

The Greek is cheirographon. This was a statement of debt, signed by the debtor to acknowledge his indebtedness. It was often fixed to the doorpost of his house for all to see. That’s why Paul says that the Law was against us and stood opposed to us.

The Law not only stated our guilt. It demanded the penalty for our guilt!

But by his death on the cross Jesus has canceled it, taken it away, nailing it to his cross! The debt was now chargeable to the cross!

(When the debt was paid the cheirographon would be folded over and nailed down, thus making the debt invisible).

You don’t need man-made rules and regulations (16-23)

16. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
17. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
18. Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
19. “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?
20. These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.

N.B. Jesus would not let the Pharisees judge him or his followers with regard to the Sabbath.

If these benefits of being complete because we are in Christ seem rather negative, thank God, there are wonderful positive benefits as well.

All our sins have been forgiven

13. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins…

We have been made alive with Christ

13. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins…

God has not only forgiven all our sins. He has made us alive with Christ.

Cf. 12 buried with him… raised with him

Our enemy has been defeated

15. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Quote from Just a Taste of Heaven

“To appreciate fully what Paul means by this we need to understand who the powers and authorities are, and the significance of his use of the word triumph. It is clear from Ephesians 6:10-12 that when Paul uses the phrase powers and authorities in this way he is referring to the satanic forces which are fighting against us as Christians. But what does he mean by saying that Christ triumphed over them by the cross?

In using the word triumph Paul was deliberately calling to the mind of his readers the picture of a great military victory. In the Roman world a triumph was rather like a modern military decoration which someone is awarded either for bravery or for great achievements on the battlefield. To help understand this further, let us imagine that Caesar, the Roman Emperor, has learned that in a certain distant corner of the empire one of the tribes has rebelled against his authority. So he calls his most senior general and gives him instructions to take a legion of soldiers in order to suppress the rebellion. Accordingly the general goes and conquers the rebellious tribe, taking many prisoners and begins to lead them back to Rome.

Before reaching Rome, however, he sends a herald in advance to inform the emperor of his victory. On hearing the news, the emperor decides to award the general a triumph. He proclaims a public holiday so that all the citizens of Rome can welcome the general on his return. Then, on the appointed day, the people line the streets of the city awaiting the return of the general. As he arrives in his chariot at the head of his legion, the people cheer and applaud, they almost worship the general because of his great victory.

But behind the general and his legion come the captives. They have been stripped of their weapons. Their hands are tied, their feet are shackled. They are totally subjugated and are forced to walk with head bowed low beneath a symbolic ‘yoke’ created for this purpose [1]. They have truly become a public spectacle. This is the picture that Paul calls to mind when he tells us that by the cross Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities and triumphed over them making a public spectacle of them. As citizens of heaven we have nothing to fear from such an enemy. Rather, we stand back in awe and marvel at the mighty victory our general has won for us, and we worship him. Understood this way, Colossians 2:15 is a wonderful revelation of the victory Christ accomplished on the cross over Satan and all his forces”.

Summary of what Christ has done for us

In the last two talks we have seen that:

On the cross

Jesus defeated the enemy

He has redeemed us from his power

He rescued us from his dominion

As a result

• He has forgiven our sins and set us free from the Law of the OT
• He has made us alive with Christ
• He has qualified us to share in his inheritance
• He has brought us into his kingdom
• He has given us fulness in Christ

Next time: What we should do for him.

Talk 2. Freedom in Christ – what he has done for us (1)

Welcome to the second talk in our series Themes from Colossians. Last time we considered The Supremacy of Christ – who he is. Basing our thoughts mainly on Colossians 1:15-20, we saw that:

 

Jesus is God

Jesus is eternal

Jesus is creator

Jesus is sustainer

Jesus is head over all things

Jesus is saviour

 

Today and next time we’ll be looking at Freedom in Christ – what he has done for us

 

Today’s passage is Colossians 1:12-14

Next time we’ll examine Colossians 2:9-15

 

Colossians 1:12-14

 

12. giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
13. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
14. in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

 

1. He has qualified us to share in his inheritance (12)

As we saw last time, Jesus is described as the firstborn (1:15, 18)

 

15. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

 

We saw that this is strongly connected with inheritance and supremacy. But as Christians we are also described as firstborn:

 

Hebrews 12

22. But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,
23. to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven

 

Romans 8

17. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

 

Sunkleronomos joint heir. By sonship, marriage, grace.

 

1. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness

 

13. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness

 

In the NT light and darkness are frequently metaphors for good and evil (e.g. John 3:19, Romans 13:12, Ephesians 5:11 etc.)

 

Note the significance of the word dominion here.

Gk. exousia means sovereign authority, control

 

1. He has brought us into his kingdom (13)

 

13. and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves

 

Kingdom, Gk. basileia, refers to his kingly authority rather than a geographical location. We were under the control of evil, but now we’re under the kingly authority of Christ

 

The kingdom is present wherever the King is present.

In the NT it’s referred to in three tenses: Past, Present, Future.

In the ministry of Jesus it was manifested in deliverance from demons, healing, raising the dead, power over nature, forgiveness of sin.

This ministry continues through the church by the power of the Spirit.

When Jesus returns, his kingdom will be manifest in all its fullness.

1. He has redeemed us and forgiven our sins

 

14. in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins

 

This is another way of saying the same thing

To redeem = to buy back.  When Jesus died on the cross he paid the price to buy us back from the power of evil. This is primarily to do with the forgiveness of our sins as the verse makes clear. Cf.

 

Romans 3:24

all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

 

Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

 

But there’s an aspect of our redemption which is yet future:

 

Romans 8:23

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

 

Ephesians 1:14

who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.

 

Ephesians 4:30

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Themes from Colossians

Welcome back to Great Bible Truths with (me), Dr David Petts.

Today we’re starting a new series with the overall title of Themes from Colossians. We’ll be considering four major themes from this wonderful letter which Paul wrote to the church at Colossae.

 

Outline

The Supremacy of Christ – who he is

Talk 1: Colossians 1:15-20

 

Freedom in Christ – what he has done for us

Talk 2: Colossians 1:12-14

Talk 3: Colossians 2:9-15

 

Living for Christ – what we should do for him

Talk 4: Colossians 3:1-17

Talk 5: Colossians 3:18-4:1

 

Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ – what, why, where, and how

Talk 6: Colossians 1:6, 21-29

Talk 7: Colossians 4

 

Today our subject is:

 

The supremacy of Christ – who he is

We’ll begin by reading Colossians 1:15-20.

 

15.He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

16. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
17. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
19. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
20. and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

He is God

15. He is the image (eikon) of the invisible God, the firstborn (prototokos) over all creation.

 

Cf. Heb. 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation (charakter) of his being

 

What do these words mean?

 

Eikon (image) and charakter (exact representation)

These mean more or less the same thing

That which identifies someone as who they are

Illustration: the other Dr David Petts!

 

Prototokos is a bit more complicated

It means more than ‘born first’. 

It does NOT mean that he is a created being (as the JWs suggest)

Quite the opposite!

The idea connected to supremacy, springing from the rights and privileges of a firstborn son

 

firstborn = prototokos         prototokia = birthright  

 

Cf. 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy

 

He is God – two more verses

1:19

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.

 

2:9

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form

 

 

 

 

He is eternal

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

 

Not ‘he was‘. He IS.

 

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 

Two more verses:

John 8:58

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

 

Revelation 1:8, 17-18

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

 

I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!

 

He is Creator

16. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

 

John 1:2-3

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

 

Hebrews 1:2

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

 

 

 

 

 

He is Sustainer

 

17. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

 

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

 

He is head over all things

 

16. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

 

18. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

 

2:10

and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

 

Cf.

Revelation 1:5

Jesus Christ… is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

 

He is Saviour

 

1:20 through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Christ the Firstborn

At this time of the year the traditional Christmas readings make us familiar with the fact that Jesus was Mary’s firstborn son:

Matthew 1:25 KJV

(Joseph) knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:7 KJV

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

But perhaps we are less familiar with the fact that the NT also makes it clear that Jesus was also GOD’S firstborn:

Hebrews 1:6 NIV

And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’

Note:

1. This verse relates to the nativity – when God brings his firstborn into the world
2. The angels are here instructed to worship Jesus
3. The verse suggests that he was God’s firstborn before he came into the world.

This is borne out by the use of the title firstborn in the NT when applied to Jesus as God’s firstborn. The Greek word for firstborn is πρωτότοκος. When Jesus is called Mary’s firstborn it simply means that he was the first son she had. But when he is called GOD’S firstborn it means much much more.

Let’s see what the NT has to teach on this thrilling subject.

JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN OVER ALL CREATION

Colossians 1:15-20 ESV

15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
19. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20. and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Note verse 15:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

What does this mean?

NOT that he is a created being as the JWs suggest. Quite the opposite!

15. He is the image of the invisible God

Greek: εἰκὼν   God is invisible but in Jesus we see his exact likeness

 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

He’s the Creator of everything !

17. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

He’s the preexistent sustainer of the universe

18. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell

All the fullness of deity dwells in him!

In light of all this, firstborn must mean something more than ‘born first’. It is connected with the idea of supremacy. The idea springs from the rights and privileges of a firstborn son. See Heb. 12:16 re Esau where πρωτοτόκια means birthright or the inheritance rights of a firstborn son.

So the word firstborn is closely identified with the word heir.

Let’s go back to Hebrews 1. We’ll read the whole chapter in a moment, but first please note how firstborn is associated with heir in vv. 2-6.

2. but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
3. And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

 Cf. Romans 8:16-17 , 29.

 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

16. and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Hebrews 1:1-14 ESV

1. Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
2. but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
3. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4. having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?
6. And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
7. Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
8. But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
10. And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11. they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12. like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”
12. And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
13. Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

In v6 we see that Jesus is referred to as God’s firstborn and the chapter shows clearly that it’s connected with supremacy.

v2 the heir of all things

v3 He is the radiance of the glory of God

He’s the exact imprint of his nature (cf. Col. 1:15)

he upholds the universe by the word of his power

He’s seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high

v6 all God’s angels worship him

v8 he’s addressed as God. He will reign for ever

v10 he laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of his hands

v13 his enemies are under his feet

JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD

Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Cf. Revelation 1:5 ESV

…Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth

Note:

His victory over death is the basis of:

His supremacy in the church

His supremacy on earth

Our victory too! Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

This leads us to:

JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Romans 8:29

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Of course, we all know v28.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

But that doesn’t mean that in this life ‘everything will turn out all right in the end’. Rather, it means that whatever we go through here is nothing compared with our ultimate destiny!

Read Romans 8:16-39

Lessons from their lives – Talk 30 – JESUS

Welcome to Talk 30 in our series, Lessons from their lives.

This is the final talk in the series and our subject today is the Lord Jesus.

If you’re already wondering why I am only giving one talk on the life of Jesus, it’s because between March and June 2019 I gave weekly talks on various aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry.

You can find them by visiting my website www.davidpetts.org

 

What’s more, as we are approaching Christmas, next week I’m planning to give a Christmas message with the title Christ the firstborn. Be sure to listen in to learn some exciting truths about who Jesus is. He’s much more than Mary’s firstborn son.

 

But, for now, let’s just consider one aspect of how we can learn from the life of Jesus. Of course Jesus is unique. He is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and at first sight it might seem impossible that we might live as he lived. Yet Peter, who was only too conscious of his own shortcomings, encourages us by saying that Jesus left us an example so that we might follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).

 

This is possible because, as Peter tells us in  2 Peter 1:3-4

 

(God’s) divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

 

And Paul tells us that with the help of the Holy Spirit it is possible for us to show qualities of character similar to those that Jesus showed.

 

In Galatians 5:22-23 he tells us that

… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

 

Compare Colossians 3:12-14 love binds them all together

 

As we shall see, these are just the kind of qualities that Jesus exhibited throughout his earthly life, and so in this talk I am going to consider the fruit of the Spirit in the life of Jesus.

The fruit of the Spirit in the life of Jesus

 

Self control

After 40 days of fasting Jesus resisted the temptation to turn stones into bread

When Jesus was crucified the mockers said:

If you are the son of God, come down from the cross…

 

Gentleness (humility)

John 13:3-4

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,

rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.

 

Faithfulness

In the garden of Gethsemane

 

Faithfulness to his Father – not my will…

Faithfulness to his followers – sleeping, the flesh is weak.

 

Goodness

Acts 10:38

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

 

Kindness

Turning water into wine was an amazing miracle. But what motivated it?

 

Patience

John 14:8-9

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

 

Peace

Peace of heart springs from a right relationship with God.

So Jesus must have always been at peace.

But what about Gethsemane? the cross?

Jesus sacrificed peace that we might have peace.

Joy

Psalm 16:11

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 

Jesus lived life in God’s presence

 

Love

Throughout his life everything Jesus did was motivated by love

Consider all the examples we’ve already looked at.

Undoubtedly the greatest demonstration of his love was at Calvary

 

Cultivating the fruit

 

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding (or reflecting) the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

 

1 John 3:2

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Lessons from their lives.  Talk 29. Paul (Part Three)

Welcome to Talk 29 in our series, Lessons from their lives.

Today we conclude our thoughts on the life of the apostle Paul.

 

We began by looking at his conversion.

Last time we contrasted how God used him powerfully in evangelism, working many miracles through him, with the suffering and persecution he experienced in the cause of the gospel.

Today we’ll be considering Paul’s last recorded words as we find them in 2 Tim. 4. My title for this message is What to do in an impossible situation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

The Situation in which Paul found himself

 

He was in great physical discomfort

                  He was in prison. Mamertine prison in Rome.

 

He was lacking fellowship

                    verse 11 – only Luke was with him

                    verse 10 – Demas had deserted him (cf. v16 – everyone deserted me)

                    verse 14 – Alexander had harmed him

                    verse 20 – Trophimus was sick

 

He was in danger of death

verse 17 (lion = lion or Nero or devil)

verse 6 – indeed he was about to die – the time for my departure has come

Although God had rescued him from danger and persecution many times (cf. 3:11)

Paul knew that his end was near.

 

Paul’s attitude and reaction in the situation

 

He realised God’s presence with him despite the circumstances

 

verse 1 – in the presence of God… I give you this charge

 

He faced the situation realistically

 

He did not seek to deny the reality of his problems (impending death)

 

He took practical steps to alleviate the immediate situation as best he could

 

He urged Timothy to come as quickly as possible (with Mark) and bring his cloak, scrolls and parchments (9, 11-12)

He made what long-term provision for the future he could

 

He sought to ensure that his work would continue through Timothy after his death by giving him instructions (1-5)

 

He recognised the overall importance of the proclamation of the Gospel

 

In his instruction to Timothy –  preach the Word – do the work of an evangelist

 

From his own mouth even when on trial for his life (17)

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

 

He concentrated on the certainty of his ultimate destiny

 

Jesus is coming to reign! 1 – his appearing and his kingdom

 

Jesus is coming to judge! – all (1)

                                     righteously (8)

                                     so I can leave Alexander to him! (14)

 

Jesus is coming for me personally!  – verse 18

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

Jesus is coming with a crown of righteousness for all who love his appearing! – v 8

 

and finally

 

perhaps Paul was able to do all this in the face of death because he was able to look back and view the past with satisfaction:

 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith – verse 7

 

I want to be able to say that too – but that will be determined by how I’m living now.

Lessons from their lives – Talk 28

Paul (Part Two)

Welcome to Talk 28 in our series, Lessons from their lives. Today we continue with the subject of Paul. Last time, we talked about Paul’s conversion and the vision he received on the Damascus Road.

We noted, among other things, that the Lord Jesus revealed to Paul:

God’s purpose for his life

Acts 26:16

Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.

Acts 26:18

To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness…

The things he would have to suffer for the sake of Christ’s name

Acts 9:15-16

15. But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
16. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’

Today we are going to consider:

The miraculous help God gave him to fulfill God’s purpose for his life

The things Paul suffered in fulfilling God’s purpose for his life

The miraculous help God gave him to fulfill God’s purpose for his life

This is summarised in Romans 15:17-19

17. Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
18. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done –
19. by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Examples in Acts

Acts 13. In Cyprus   Elymas

Acts 14:3 In Iconium

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

Acts 14:8-10

In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, ‘Stand up on your feet!’ At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

Acts 16. In Philippi

Demon possessed girl delivered

Paul ans Silas delivered from Prison

Acts 19:11-12. In Ephesus

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to those who were ill, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

Acts 20. Eutychus

Acts 27 Shipwreck

Acts 28

Viper

Father of Publius

The sick of the island

The things Paul suffered in fulfilling God’s purpose for his life

In the light of the miraculous way God used Paul in miraculous signs and wonders, especially healing, we might wonder why Paul had to suffer at all. Yet, as we read through Acts we see that persecution and suffering seem to have gone hand in hand with the miracles that accompanied the preaching of the gospel. And in 2 Corinthians 11 Paul himself describes many of the things he suffered for the sake of the gospel.

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 he tells us how he:

23. was in prison frequently…flogged severely… exposed to death again and again
24. Five times received 39 lashes
25. Three times beaten with rods… once pelted with stones…

three times shipwrecked… spent a night and a day in the open sea,

26. constantly on the move… in danger from rivers… from bandits…from Jews… from Gentiles… in the city… in the country…at sea…. and from false believers.
27. laboured and toiled… often gone without sleep…

gone without food… been cold and naked.

But in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Paul tells us of what was possibly a different form of suffering which he describes as a thorn in my flesh.

This is set in the context of Paul’s defence of his apostleship against the claims of those he calls false apostles (11:13).

Having referred to his abundant labours and frequent persecutions at the end of chapter 11, he goes on to speak reluctantly of visions and revelations which he has received.

He informs his readers that because of these surpassingly great revelations, in order to keep him from becoming conceited, he has been given  a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

Read vv. 7-10.

7. or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
8. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
9. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
10. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

What lessons for our lives can we learn from Paul’s experience in this passage?

What was the thorn?

Some people believe it was a sickness. Others argue that it was not.

In my book, Just a Taste of Heaven, I discuss the pros and cons and conclude that we cannot possibly be sure.

The verse is set in a passage where Paul is talking about weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties (v10),

but the word he uses for weaknesses can also mean sicknesses, so it would be foolish to be dogmatic either way. We simply do not know what the thorn was.

But does this matter? It’s quite possible that God had a purpose in not telling us what it was. This way there’s a wider field of application to our personal needs.

What we do know is that it represents some form of suffering which was:

physical (in the flesh)

extremely painful (a thorn, cf. torment)

a cause of weakness (for my power is made perfect in weakness)

The thorn was given

Presumably Paul means that it was given by God although he also  describes it as a messenger of Satan

The best way to understand this is to look at the story of Job.

It was Satan who afflicted Job, but it was God who gave him permission to do so. God is sovereign. Whatever happens he has either caused or permitted.

The thorn was given for a purpose

In the case of Paul it was:

to keep him humble – to keep me from becoming conceited

to manifest God’s power – my power is made perfect in weakness.

God’s purpose for allowing a thorn in our lives might or might not be the same. The important thing to know is that there  always is a purpose in what the Lord allows in our lives.

Paul prayed persistently for its removal

8. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’

The significant thing here is not the number 3. What’s important is that Paul kept on praying until he had an answer. (Cf. James 5:13 which literally reads: Is anyone suffering badly? Let him keep on praying).

God’s answer was not what Paul was expecting

No doubt Paul was expecting the thorn to be removed in answer to prayer, but on this occasion God said, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Paul’s reaction

9. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
10. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I will boast… if we are weak or sick there is no need to feel ashamed

I delight… Paul could rejoice because what he suffered was for Christ’s sake. Despite physical weakness he was spiritually strong. Christ’s power becomes available to us when we are not strong in ourselves.

Conclusion

The fact that God uses a person like Paul in performing miracles to confirm the message of the gospel does not mean that he is immune from suffering. Quite the opposite. God does allow bad things to happen to good people.

But when he does there is always a purpose. If we are suffering it is always right to keep on praying until we receive an answer. This may be the removal of the suffering or the assurance that God’s grace is enough for us to be able to endure it.

And if that’s the case, then we can rejoice that God’s power is resting on us, that he has a purpose in allowing it (even if we don’t know what that purpose is) and that his grace in enabling us to bear it may well be a greater testimony to others than if he granted us a miracle of deliverance!