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Colossians 1:15-28
Sunday Between July 17 and 23 (Proper 11) C (Second Reading) July 19, 1998
Col. 1:15-28
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.
[21] Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil
behavior. [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
under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
[24] Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still
lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
[25] I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of
God in its fullness-- [26] the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations,
but is now disclosed to the saints. [27] To them God has chosen to make known among the
Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
[28] We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may
present everyone perfect in Christ.
(NIV)
Col. 1:15-23 (Gives a glorious view of Christ)
Christ in his human nature, is the visible discovery of the invisible God, and he that hath seen Him hath seen the Father. Let us adore these mysteries in humble faith, and behold the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus. He was born or begotten before all the creation, before any creature was made; which is the Scripture way of representing eternity, and by which the eternity of God is represented to us. All things being created by Him, were created for him; being made by his power, they were made according to his pleasure, and for his praise and glory. He not only created them all at first, but it is by the word of his power that they are upheld. Christ as Mediator is the Head of the body, the church; all grace and strength are from him; and the church is his body. All fulness dwells in him; a fulness of merit and righteousness, of strength and grace for us. God showed his justice in requiring full satisfaction. This mode of redeeming mankind by the death of Christ was most suitable. Here is presented to our view the method of being reconciled. And that, notwithstanding the hatred of sin on God’s part, it pleased God to reconcile fallen man to himself. If convinced that we were enemies in our minds by wicked works, and that we are now reconciled to God by the sacrifice and death of Christ in our nature, we shall not attempt to explain away, nor yet think fully to comprehend these mysteries; but we shall see the glory of this plan of redemption, and rejoice in the hope set before us. If this be so, that God’s love is so great to us, what shall we do now for God? Be frequent in prayer, and abound in holy duties; and live no more to yourselves, but to Christ. Christ died for us. But wherefore? That we should still live in sin? No; but that we should die to sin, and live henceforth not to ourselves, but to Him.
Col. 1:24-29 (And sets out his own character, as the apostle of the Gentiles)
Both the sufferings of the Head and of the members are called the sufferings of Christ, and make up, as it were, one body of sufferings. But He suffered for the redemption of the church; we suffer on other accounts; for we do but slightly taste that cup of afflictions of which Christ first drank deeply. A Christian may be said to fill up that which remains of the sufferings of Christ, when he takes up his cross, and after the pattern of Christ, bears patiently the afflictions God allots to him. Let us be thankful that God has made known to us mysteries hidden from ages and generations, and has showed the riches of his glory among us. As Christ is preached among us, let us seriously inquire, whether he dwells and reigns in us; for this alone can warrant our assured hope of his glory. We must be faithful to death, through all trials, that we may receive the crown of life, and obtain the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls.
(Matthew Henry Concise Commentary)