Romans     

This commentary is a verse-by-verse bible expository in order to provide believers with another resource for their personal study of the word of God! This will be a "work-in-progress" so that friends can study incrementally as I am able to add on! From time to time, I will inject audio clips as which will be indicated as such.

Directions: This particular page will be an all inclusive chapter-by-chapter breakout so just click on the link of interest as they become available!

Colossians 1 Colossians 2 Colossians 3 Colossians 4

It is my hope and prayer that believers will be enlightened, encouraged and edified as they learn about God's word rightly divided!

Who wrote Colossians, and who was it to? Written by Paul to believers in the gospel of the grace of God, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which were at Colosse. This book of the bible is one of four "prison epistles" written by Paul was he was incarcerated. It always amazes me how he could write about such hope, truth and certainty while under these circumstances but therein lies the power of God!

The city of Colosse was located about 100 miles east of Ephesus in Asia minor (modern day Turkey). Together with Hierapolis (4:13) and Laodecia (2:1, 4:13-16) Colosse made up a tri-city area with each city having its own distinction: 

When was it written? Most scholars would agree that this letter was written between 57 to 62 A.D. There are also scholars that lean towards the 60's.

   * Hierapolis, a place for health, pleasure, and relaxation

   * Laodicea, known for its commercial trade and politics

   * Colosse, known simply as a small town

What is this book about? – Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse was fortify their faith in Jesus Christ in  order to help them understand the blessings they have in Him. With “Gnosticism” a newly introduced doctrine, Paul was eager to combat this falsity and sad to say this believe is firmly planted in many churches today. What is Gnosticism you might ask? The doctrines of certain pre-Christian pagan, Jewish, and early Christian sects that valued the revealed knowledge of God as well as the origin and end of the human race as a means to attain redemption for the spiritual element in humans which distinguished the Demiurge (who they thought was God) from the unknowable Divine Being. Practically speaking, these people believed that God had revealed special knowledge to them personally by some means. This is why Paul was so adamant about the cessation of signs, wonders, healings and voices from God upon the completion of canon; specifically of the letters he wrote to Christians about the manifold wisdom of God otherwise known as "the revelation of the mystery" that he received from The Risen, Glorified Lord Jesus Christ!    

Colossians 1


1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

For Paul to use this greeting in each of his letters as an opening statement is significant in that most importantly, “grace and peace” was (and still has) what mankind had from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! It has been my experience that many pastors, priests and leaders teach “conditional” grace and peace from God based upon a believer’s conduct; but that’s not what Paul says.

In verses 1 and 2, Paul speaks on behalf of Timothy and directs this letter to the faithful brethren who are in Christ so it is a letter to and for believers of the following:

Believe The Gospel of The Grace of God:

1. God’s Son Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of your sin (past, present and future), He was buried, and gloriously rose again for your justification (1 Cor. 15:1-4)! 

2. Not only did Christ die for the debt and penalty of your sin but at the moment you take God The Father at His Word concerning the finished and all-sufficient cross-work of Christ His Son, you take on His (Christ’s) very righteousness (justification) Rom. 3:21-26!

3. As a result of just simply believing the above (1 Cor. 15), God The Holy Spirit tabernacles in you, forever (Eph.1:13) until we die (to be with Christ) or meet Him in the air (1 Thes 4:16-20). 

4. No strings attached, no outward expression of faith, no incremental forgiveness since it was taken care of all up front, no kidding!       

It should be noted that in all 13 of Paul’s letters to The Church: The Body of Christ, the same exhortation is used:

Romans 1:7 - To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:3 - Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:2 - Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:3 - Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 1:2 - Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ

Philippians 1:2 - Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ

1 Thessalonians 1:1 - Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:2 - Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

1 Timothy 1:2 - Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Timothy 1:2 - To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Titus 1:4 - To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Philemon 1:3 - Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Uhmm....friends....do you think it is safe to say  WE HAVE GRACE AND PEACE WITH GOD THE FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST????? In verse 3 Paul along with Timothy specifically acknowledge and thank God The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, while always praying for the saints. Some things come to mind concerning this verse in no particular order:

  1. Why would Paul and Timothy specifically give thanks to God The Father?

  2. How often to we give thanks?

  3. How often do we pray for the saints (or each other)?

  4. How was it possible for Paul and Timothy to “always” pray for the saints?

I. Why would Paul and Timothy specifically give thanks to God The Father?

Friends, I believe that the bible is clear about the person and work of each member of the Godhead. Back in eternity past, before the foundation of the world, God The Father knew there would come a time where He would have to forsake fellowship and unity with His Son for the redemption of mankind. I don’t think you can say it any better that what Paul had to say in Ephesians 1:1-7 concerning why God The Father is worthy of our thanks!

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

·     It is in these scripture verses that show us why we should give specific thanks to God The Father as Paul also proclaimed in Colossians. In all fairness, we could do an entire study on this topic. Further, we often hear about the sacrifice of the God The Son, (and rightly so!) but let’s not forget the anguish that God the father went through; giving up his only begotten Son. These reasons scratch the surface of why we ought to give thanks to the Father and help us understand why Paul opened each of his letters to the Body of Christ in the same fashion.

II. How often do we give thanks?

Now, while we are on the topic, how often do we give thanks? I have to confess that this question hits me right in the head, right between the eyes. I find myself getting so caught up in survival mode that I do not thank God enough. But you know God has provided a solution to that too: God The Holy Spirit!

In Romans 8, The Holy Spirit is referred to and discussed 16 times. Chapter 8 is an excellent reference guide to the work and power of the Holy Spirit as well as life in Christ through His Spirit! Specifically though on the topic of “giving thanks” and our dullness and inability to do so consistently, we have an advocate:

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Because of what Jesus Christ has done for us, I pray that we would thank Him more, but it is so awesome to know that The Holy Spirit is there to help us, there to pray as we ought (including prayers of thankfulness) and always ready to make intercession for us! God has all the bases covered friends.

III. How often do we pray for the saints?

If you are familiar with computers, think for a moment of the Internet. The Internet is a network of networks, joining millions of people together at a common place; in front of a keyboard and screen. Think of believers in Christ, those members of His Body as exclusive and privileged members of the Spiritnet. With this Network of Networks, wireless takes on a whole new meaning!

Since those that have trusted in Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and resulting righteousness now have the Holy Spirit living in them and identifying them to God, we have joint-access as join-heirs in Christ! I can pray for a beloved saint in China or England or North Carolina as if they were sitting next to me and get the same results because I have the same Holy Spirit interceding on my behalf….all the bases covered friends. We pray for them so that we can understand the will of God. Let’s see what Paul had to say on this topic.

4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

III. How was it possible for Paul and Timothy to “always” pray for the saints?

Paul’s teaching concerning prayer.

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

 

Colossians 2

1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

 

Colossians 3

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Colossians 4

1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. 2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. 10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou

To be continued!!!