Paul thanks God for the Colossians’ faith and for Epaphras, who first brought them the gospel. He prays they may grow in wisdom and strength to live lives worthy of Christ, who has rescued them from darkness into his kingdom. Christ, the image of the invisible God, is the creator and sustainer of all things—earthly and heavenly, visible and invisible—and the head of the church. Through his death, he reconciles all things to himself, making peace and presenting believers holy and blameless before God. Paul’s own sufferings share in Christ’s afflictions as part of his calling to make known the mystery long hidden: that the hope of glory now belongs even to the Gentiles, for Christ dwells in them.
The hymn in vv.15–20 echoes John 1 and Hebrews 1, proclaiming Christ as both creator and redeemer. The angelic hierarchies (“thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities”) emphasize his supremacy over every visible and invisible power.
15: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Paul labors for the maturity of every believer, urging them to remain rooted in Christ, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Because Christ is fully God, believers—joined to him by faith—are already filled and complete. In his death and resurrection, they have died to sin and been made alive, forgiven of every trespass. The written record of guilt was nailed to the cross as Christ triumphed over every spiritual power and authority. Therefore, believers must not submit to judgment about food, festivals, or Sabbaths, for such things are only shadows of the reality found in Christ. Neither ascetic practices nor angelic worship can add to his saving work. Human rules may appear wise, but they have no power to restrain the flesh or transform the heart.
Paul contrasts outward observance with inward renewal: circumcision becomes spiritual, baptism symbolizes death and resurrection, and the cross displays both forgiveness and victory. The Colossian heresy promised fullness through ritual; Paul insists that fullness is already ours in Christ.
16: Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
Because believers have died and been raised with Christ, they must live the reality that the false religion of chapter 2 could only imitate. Earthly rituals and self-denial had no power to change the heart, but Christ’s victory over every visible and invisible power truly transforms those united to Him. Believers are therefore to set their minds on the things above—on Christ, who now governs their lives—and to put to death the old self with its passions and practices. In its place they put on the new self, renewed in the image of its Creator, where Christ is all and in all. This new life overflows in compassion, humility, patience, forgiveness, and love, leading to peace, thanksgiving, and worship. Even household relationships are to reflect this new creation, as every act is done in the name of the Lord.
Chapter 3 completes the story of chapter 2: having died with Christ, believers now rise with Him to a new way of being. “Hidden with Christ in God” means their true life is secure in His presence, awaiting full revelation when He returns. Because Christ rules every realm, His lordship transforms both inward desires and outward relationships.
17: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Paul closes by urging believers to let Christ’s rule shape their relationships and witness. Masters must treat their servants justly, remembering their own Master in heaven. All Christians are to devote themselves to prayer—alert, thankful, and directed toward the spread of the gospel. Paul, still imprisoned, asks that God open doors for him to proclaim Christ clearly. Believers must also walk wisely toward outsiders, showing that the Christian life cannot retreat from the world it seeks to redeem. Their speech should be gracious and “seasoned with salt,” attractive and preserving truth, as they give answers to those who ask about their faith. Paul commends Tychicus and Onesimus and sends greetings from fellow workers, whose unity in the gospel mirrors the new humanity in Christ.
Having described life within the Christian community, Paul turns outward: the church must live as a visible testimony to Christ before a watching world. They are to reject worldly desires and hollow religion without isolating themselves from their neighbors. The reference to “salt” recalls Jesus’s words that his followers are the “salt of the earth,” preserving and flavoring the world with grace and truth.
5: Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
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