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Col.1:1. Paul, by the will of God an Apostle of Jesus Christ, and Timothy brother Col. 1:2. To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ Jesus who are at Colosse Col. 1:3. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always praying for you Col.1:4. Having heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all saints “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy brother” “to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colossae:” “grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” since the Colossians, having been carried away by deceivers, loved a life under the law, and this showed that the coming of the Lord was considered insufficient for salvation, then Paul, of necessity, called himself and Timothy apostles of Christ and added: “by the will” (διά θελήματοζ), teaching that this is also pleasing to God and Father, and used the preposition διά again, speaking about the Father. “We thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who always prays for you,” “having heard your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love you have for all the saints.” The Apostle testified to their perfection, saying that they shine through faith and love, because love embraces all active commandments. Usually, the Apostle first softens his ears with praise, and then offers the proper teaching. Therefore, here too he said that he glorifies God in his prayers for the faith that they have in the Lord Christ, and for the love that they continue to show for all those of the same faith. Col. 1:5. In hope of the things prepared for you in heaven, which you have heard before in the true word of the gospel. Col. 1:6. which abides among you, as it does throughout the whole world, and bears fruit, and increases, as it did among you, from the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth. “For the hope set aside for you in heaven.” You do this, says the Apostle, diligently, looking with the eyes of faith at the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for you. “Even before you heard in word the truth of the gospel” “which is in you as it is in the whole world.” The Divine Gospel announces this Kingdom to you, and not only to you, but to all people. Then the Apostle shows the power of preaching. “And it is fruitful and grows, just as in you, from the wrong day you heard and understood the grace of God in truth.” “The Apostle called the fruitfulness of the gospel the faith and praiseworthy life of those who heard it, and the growth of the multitude of believers.” Col.1:7. just as we learned from Epaphras, our beloved colleague, a faithful servant of Christ for you Col.1:8. Who informed us of your love in spirit. “As you have led us away from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker, who is a faithful servant of Christ over you,” “who also show us your love in spirit.” This worthy man, that is, Epaphras, was their fellow citizen. Having arrived in Rome, he informed the divine Apostle both about their ardent faith in the Lord, and about the deception into which someone had led them. The Apostle adorned Epaphras with many praises, calling him beloved, co-worker, faithful servant of Christ, so that the Colossians would honor him with greater respect. He said that from him they learned about the widespread spread of the sermon and about the multitude of believers in every nation. Col.1:9. Therefore, from the day we heard about this, we have not ceased to pray for you and ask that you be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Col. 1:10. So that they act worthy of God, pleasing Him in everything, bearing fruit in every good deed and growing in the knowledge of God. Col. 1:11. Strengthened with all strength according to His glorious might, with all patience and forbearance with joy. “For this reason, we, too, who have heard it from day to day, do not cease praying and asking for you, that His will may be fulfilled in our minds.” Having learned this about you from your teacher, we continually beseech God to grant you perfect knowledge of His will. And by this the Apostle made it clear that they still have imperfect knowledge, following legitimate observations. “In all wisdom and spiritual understanding,” “so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord in all ways pleasing.” We ask that you be filled with spiritual wisdom and do everything pleasing to God. “In every work the blase bears fruit and grows in the mind of God”, “working with all power according to the power of His glory in all patience and long-suffering with joy.” We ask that you bring God the fruits of good deeds, show an increase in the knowledge of God, and, strengthened by the power of God, remain unshakable, complacently enduring opposing worries. For the Apostle used the word “patience” in relation to opponents, because we need it when we are attacked by the wicked. Col. 1:12. Thanks to God and the Father, who has called us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. “Giving thanks to God the Father, who has called you to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light.” Let us sing songs to the philanthropic Master, who has made us unworthy to be partakers of the light of the saints. Under the guise of thanksgiving, the Apostle again shows the ineffability of God’s love for mankind and the greatness of God’s economy for us. Col. 1:13. Who delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son. “Deliver us from the power of darkness and place us in the Kingdom of the Son of Your love. The Apostle called the dark power “the dominion of the devil,” and “he called the Lord Christ the Son of love, teaching that He is loved by the Father not as a creature and a slave,” but as a Son. For He is not the son of love, but the beloved, that is, the true Son. That's what he named Isaac. It is said: “Feed your beloved son” (Gen. 22:2), that is, the sincere one who is dearer to you than others. So, says the Apostle, having delivered us from darkness, he has vouchsafed the Kingdom of the Son. He also said this in his Epistle to Timothy: “If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (2 Tim. 2:12). Col. 1:14. In whom we have redemption through His blood and forgiveness of sins. “O Him, the imams delivered through His blood the forgiveness of sins.” For it was not the law, but the Lord Christ, the Giver of the Law, who granted us this remission through saving baptism. Having said this, the Apostle touches on theology and shows that He is the Creator of everything. Col. 1:15. Who is the image of the invisible God, the first begotten of all creation. “Who is the image of the invisible God.” For it has in “Itself” the clear features of the One who gave birth. This means what the Lord said to Philip: “He who has seen Me in the form of the Father” (John 14:9). And Adam gave birth in his own image, that is, in everything like himself. Therefore, the image means consubstantial. Inanimate images do not have in themselves the essence of what the images are, but a living image that differs in nothing has one nature with the prototype. "The firstborn of all creation." If only begotten, then in what sense is he firstborn? If “firstborn”, then why only begotten? But in the Divine Gospel He is called the Only Begotten. Consequently, he is “the firstborn of creation” not because creation is his sister, but because he was born before every creation. For is it possible to be both a brother and the creator of a creature? And if, according to the teachings of the heretics, He is a creature, then the creature is His sister. But it is impossible to be both a brother and the creator of a creature. The Divine Scripture calls Him the Creator.” And if He is the Creator, then He is not a brother; and if not a brother, then not a creature. Moreover, the divine Apostle did not call Him the first-created, but the first-born, that is, the first. So He is “the firstborn from the dead” (Col. 1:18), because He was the first to rise. Thus, the divine Apostle and the assembly of saints called the “church of the firstborn” (Heb. 12:23) not because all of them were by nature the first to resolve the illnesses of mothers’ births, but because, since the firstborn by law are assigned a certain great honor, the Apostle expressed their venerability with this name. And that the Only Begotten is not the brother of creation, but the Creator, the following words make it clear. Col. 1:16. For by Him all things were created, that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible: whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things were created by Him and for Him. “For by Him all things were created.” What exactly? “As in heaven and as on earth, visible and invisible.” Since other things are visible in the sky, for example, the sun, moon and stars, the Apostle shows more clearly what he calls heavenly, both visible and invisible. Then, since the visible is known to everyone and we all learned from the divine Moses that the creator of this is God, the Apostle, leaving this, lists the invisible. “For thrones, for dominions, for beginnings, for powers: all things were created by Him and about Him.” By the name “thrones,” I think the Apostle means the Cherubim, because the prophet Ezekiel saw God’s throne placed on them (Ezekiel 10:1). “And by dominions, principalities” and “powers” ​​he calls those who are entrusted with the care of the people. For Michael ruled over the Jews, and blessed Daniel names the prince of Persia and the prince of Hellenism. And with the words “all things were created” the Apostle means the original creation; the word about “Him” indicates His effectiveness after His incarnation. For it is said: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17), and also: “He will lead everything in Christ” (Eph. 1:10); and the Prophet: “there will be a new sky and a new earth” (Is. 65:17); and: “the ancient Mymoidosha, behold, was all new” (2 Cor. 5:17; Isa. 43:18–19). And we hope that this change will take place; for “the creation itself will be freed from the work of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Rom. 8:21). And that here the name “firstborn” has the meaning of primacy, this is shown to us by subsequent words. Col. 1:17. And He is before all things, and by Him all things stand. “And He is before all.” The Apostle did not say: “He came into being before all,” but: “He is before all.” And all things will be made in Him.” For He is not only the Creator of everything, but He also provides for what He has created, and rules over creation, and it stands by His wisdom and power. Col. 1:18. And He is the head of the body of the Church; He is the firstfruits, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have preeminence. “And He is the head of the body of the Church.” The Apostle moved from theology to Economics. For Christ is our head according to humanity. And the head is consubstantial with the body. So He is of the same essence as us as a man. “Who is the firstfruits,” that is, the first to rise from the dead; for this is what the Apostle adds. "Firstborn from the Dead". He was the first to solve the disease of death. This word also makes us understand the common resurrection of all of us. “For let that one be supreme in all.” For as God He is “before all” and with the Father, and as man He is “firstborn from the dead” and the head of the body. Col. 1:19. For it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in Him “For in Him you were deigned to dwell in all fulfillment. The Apostle in his Epistle to the Ephesians called the Church “fulfillment,” because the Divine gifts were fulfilled. About her, the Apostle said, “God willed” to dwell in Christ, that is, to be united with Him, to be under His protection, to follow His laws. Col. 1:20 . And through Him to reconcile everything to Himself, pacifying through Him, through the Blood of His cross, both earthly and heavenly. “And by this reconcile all things to Himself.” The Apostle also indicates the method of reconciliation. “Having pacified the blood of His Cross, through Him, whether earthly or heavenly.” He accomplished our reconciliation by enduring saving suffering, shedding blood, making a sacrifice for us, and combining the heavenly with the earthly. For the hosts of angels also turned away from us due to our great wickedness, and therefore at the birth of Christ, having formed a face, they proclaimed a song to God, saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Having thus depicted the blessings given to all, the Apostle turns his speech to the Colossians and says: Col. 1:21. And you, who were once alienated and enemies, are inclined towards evil deeds. Col. 1:22. Now He has reconciled you in the body of His flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and blameless before Him. “And you, who are sometimes thought to be alienated and enemies in evil deeds,” “now reconcile you in the body of His flesh by His death, to present you holy and blameless and blameless before Him.” Make conclusions about yourself and about everyone. For you, living in wickedness and wickedness and being completely deprived of the light of the knowledge of God, became close to God, not because the law gave you this gift, but because the Lord Christ paid your debt, gave your body to death, so that you, having been awarded the title, would become holy and free from all vice. Then the Apostle makes them understand their seduction and frightens them. Col. 1:23 . If only you remain strong and steadfast in the faith and do not lose heart in the hope of the gospel which you have heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, have become a minister. “As long as you continue in the faith of the foundation and the firmament, and remain motionless because of the hope of the gospel, which you have heard.” You will be holy, blameless and blameless, holding fast to what you learned at the beginning and holding firm the teaching that was taught to you. The Apostle calls the “hope” of the “gospel” the resurrection, immortal life and the Kingdom of Heaven. Then he announces that the sermon was preached not to him alone, but to all people. “That which was preached to every creature under heaven, to whom Paul was also a servant.” For he has been entrusted with the cultivation of the Gentiles. But I would not have said this if I had never seen them. They would have remarked to him: “If you have been appointed a preacher to the pagans, then why did you neglect us and not teach us the teaching of the Gospel?” And the following words support the same idea. Col. 1:24. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you and make up for the deficiency in my flesh of Christ’s sorrows for His Body, which is the Church. “Now I rejoice in my suffering for you.” What reason would there be for someone who has not seen them and who has not taught them spiritual teaching to say directly that he is exposed to various dangers for them? “And I fulfill the privation of the sorrows of Christ in my flesh for His body, which is the Church.” And the Lord Christ accepted death for the Church, endured the shame of the cross, beating on the cheeks, scourging and much more; and the divine Paul also suffered for her, was subjected to various sufferings and endured them with joy. For he says: “I rejoice in my suffering for you”; for he knew that in this way life was gained. He said that he was fulfilling the “deprivation of the sorrows of Christ,” as one who completes what still remained to be done, and for this reason endures suffering. All that remained was to preach to the pagans and point out to them the great-gifted Giver of salvation. Col. 1:25 . By whom I became a minister according to the economy of God, entrusted to me for you, to fulfill the word of God. “I would have been a servant, according to God’s vision given to me in you, to fulfill the word of God.” I have been entrusted with the salvation of the Church and entrusted with the ministry of preaching, in order to “fulfill” all of you with the Divine teaching. For by the word “you” the Apostle does not mean the Colossians alone, but the faithful in the whole universe. Therefore, it is clear from here that, having seen them, he wrote a letter. For if they too were entrusted to the Apostle, he could not bypass them when he came to Phrygia and after that to the Laodiceans, who were foremost among the people. The Apostle also explains the very way of looking at God. Col. 1:26. A mystery hidden from centuries and generations, but now revealed to His saints. Col. 1:27. To whom God has been pleased to show what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col. 1:28. whom we preach, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Col. 1:29. For this reason I labor and strive through His power, which powerfully acts in me. “The secret hidden from time immemorial and from generation to generation: now He has appeared to His saints,” “to whom God willed to speak.” The Apostle called the sermon on the Economy “mystery,” as it was unknown to all in ancient times and known to God alone. And this the Apostle says, which was hidden from previous generations, has now been revealed by God “to the saints as He pleased,” that is, to the apostles, and through them to those who believed. And this shows the antiquity of the gospel and the fact that before the law and before the dispensation of the world, the God of all predestined this Economy, and to us saints, the Apostle continues, he made it known: “What is the richness of the glory of the mystery of sowing among the Gentiles,” namely, that the pagans who are in darkness have received the riches of the knowledge of God and will participate with Christ in glory. The Apostle called the “riches” of “glory” the abundance of glory. The following words make this clear: “Whose Christ is in you, the hope of glory,” “Whom we preach.” For it is not the observation of days and dishes, but the Lord Christ who will make you worthy of this glory, because “the hope of glory” the Apostle called the expected glory. “Chastening every man and teaching” every man “with all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus”: “In Him I labor and strive, according to the work of His power that works in me.” I willingly accept any work, assisted by the grace of God, in order to make all people perfect through the teaching of preaching. And perfection is not bestowed by the law, but by the wisdom of preaching. Then the Apostle reveals what tender love he has for them. You might be interested in: