Category Archives: Colossians

Paul got there first

27 Saturday May 2017

Posted by in Biblical Counseling, Colossians, Hope, Psychology, Theology of Biblical Counseling, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

“We aren’t built to live in the moment”:

What best distinguishes our species is an ability that scientists are just beginning to appreciate: We contemplate the future. Our singular foresight created civilization and sustains society. It usually lifts our spirits, but it’s also the source of most depression and anxiety, whether we’re evaluating our own lives or worrying about the nation. Other animals have springtime rituals for educating the young, but only we subject them to “commencement” speeches grandly informing them that today is the first day of the rest of their lives.

A more apt name for our species would be Homo prospectus, because we thrive by considering our prospects. The power of prospection is what makes us wise. Looking into the future, consciously and unconsciously, is a central function of our large brain, as psychologists and neuroscientists have discovered — rather belatedly, because for the past century most researchers have assumed that we’re prisoners of the past and the present.

Paul got there first, Colossians 1:3–8 (ESV):

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Paul anchors the faith and love exhibited by the church in their forward expectation.

Ethics of Gratitude 

17 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by in Colossians, Theology of Biblical Counseling

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Patience, longsuffering and joy should continually be accompanied by a thankful spirit. In Christianity, someone has said, theology is grace, and ethics is gratitude. If God’s attitude and action towards us have been characterized by grace, our response to Him, in life and behaviour as well as in thought and word, should be characterized by gratitude. Nothing less is fitting, when we consider how, in the apostle’s language here, He has “fitted us to share the inheritance of His holy people.”

Commentary on Ephesians and Colossians, E.K. Simpson, F.F. Bruce (Wm. B. Erdmanns, Grand Rapids, 1957), 187

http

A Worthy Walk

24 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by in Colossians

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

Here is a sermon given by a dear friend, Pastor David Jordan on Colossians 1:8

Colossians 1:9–10 (ESV)

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

 

Colossians 3:3, George Herbert

25 Saturday Oct 2014

Posted by in Colossians, George Herbert, Literature

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , ,

Coloss: 3.3′

Our life is hid with Christ in God.

My words and thoughts do both express this notion,
That Life hath with the sun a double motion.
The first Is straight, and our diurnal friend,
The  other  Hid, and doth obliquely bend.
One life is wrapped In flesh, and tends to earth:
The other winds towards Him, whose happy birth
Taught me to live here so, That still one eye
Should aim and shoot at that which Is on high:
Quitting  with  daily    labour     all       My  pleasure,
To   gain   at   harvest   an   eternal          Treasure.

Does Ephesians 4:22-24 Command That One Put-Off and Put-On?

05 Monday May 2014

Posted by in Biblical Counseling, Colossians, Ephesians, Romans, Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

In much biblical counseling literature, there is the indication that one is commanded to put off the old self and put on the new self. This is based upon the text of Ephesians 4:2-24:

 

Ephesians 4:21–24 (ESV)

21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

In the attached paper, I contend that the infinitives do not translate imperatives (commands to put off and put on) but rather they have been used as infinitives of indirect discourse: Paul is summarizing his teaching, not giving commands. Thus, in parallel to Romans 6 and Colossians 3:9-10, Paul is referencing a change in the human being which took place in the past, not present: Here is the paper:

Put off and put on

 

Certain Schools in Stockholm

18 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Anthropology, Apologetics, Colossians

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

In certain schools in Stockholm, teachers try not to use terms like “boys” or “girls.” In an effort to reach a greater level of gender equality, the country of Sweden is pushing for gender neutrality. Pronouns like “he and she” are replaced with “hen,” and children’s books have protagonists who are not clearly male or female.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2013/12/16/no-more-gender-a-look-into-swedens-social-experiment/

The article goes on to discuss how a Christian may and should interact with such a society (as it exists in Sweden and as it is coming to the rest of the Western world).

There are two related issues on the goodness of the human body which are not directly addressed in the article: 1) The irrationality of the move toward materialism and a genderless body. It makes no sense to argue that a human is merely a body and at the same time to argue that the body’s physiology means nothing. According to the article, the tension in Sweden is moving toward resolution in favor of a kind of feminism: “Feminism as the state religion is probably not all that off the mark although gender activists here still find plenty of things to campaign on.”

2) The human body is the space of the war of God against his enemies:

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,v10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Colossians 2:9-15

Now, I cannot begin to fathom everything which Paul covers in this passage; nor do I fully understand how an attack upon biological gender helps the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) in his efforts to blind human beings to the glory of God. Rather, these are things which Christians must ponder along with the practical effects of such move of state religion as is taking place in Sweden.

What it means to say, “The Church is the body.”

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Colossians, Ecclesiology, Thomas Manton

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Commenting on Colossians 1:18, “And he [Christ] is the head of the body, the church”, Thomas Manton writes:

[T]he church is the body. By the church is meant the church mystical, or all such as are called out of the world to be a peculiar people unto God. Now, these considered collectively or together, they are a body; but singly and separately, every believer is a member of that body: 1 Cor. 12:29, ‘Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.’ All the parts and members joined together are a spiritual body, but the several persons are members of that body. Yea, though there be many particular churches, yet they are not many bodies, but one body, so it is said, 1 Cor. 12:12, ‘As the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.’ He is the head, and the many and divers members of the universal Christian church are but one body. The universal invisible church of real believers is one mystical body knit by faith to Christ, their head, and by love among themselves. And the visible universal church is one politic body, conjoined with Christ their head, and among themselves, by an external entering into covenant with God, and the serious profession of all saving truths. They have all the same king and head, the same laws—the word of God—the same sacraments of admission and nutrition, which visibly, at least, they subject themselves unto, and have a grant of the same common privileges in the gospel.

Thomas Manton collected works, volume 1, page 454, Christ’s Eternal Existence and Dignity of her Person, sermon v.

Let the Word of Christ Dwell Richly (sermon)

02 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Colossians, Preaching

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

The notes for this sermon were posted here: https://memoirandremains.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/let-the-word-of-christ-dwell-in-you-richly/

 

The audio (which differs in many respects from the notes) may be found here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.calvarybiblechurch.org/audio/sermon/2013/20130901.mp3

Or Wealthiest Pearls

17 Tuesday Sep 2013

Posted by in Colossians, Edward Taylor, Matthew, Praise, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

(This is the second entry on the poem of Edward Taylor, “Thou glory darkening glory” — a meditation on Colossians 2:3. The prior entry can be found here:

https://memoirandremains.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/angels-wits-are-childish-tricks/

Oh, choicest cabinet, more choice than gold

Or wealthiest pearls[1] – wherein, all pearls of price

All treasures of choice wisdom manifold

Enthroned reign. Thou cabinet most choice

Not scant to hold, not stained with cloudy gear[2]

The shining Sun of Wisdom bowling[3] there.

  

The primary background for this stanza is Colossians 2:3. Paul was writing to a church beset by some who offered a false wisdom to the Christian believers. Paul encouraged them to not turn away from Christ, because all of the beauty and wisdom of God resides in Christ:

 

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. Colossians 2:1–9 (AV)

 

However, Taylor also relies upon other Scripture for his imagery.  It is hard to prove, but the 19th Psalm may have influenced Taylor’s imagery and diction. The 19th Psalm praises God for both revealing himself in nature and in the “law”.[4] The first six verses praise God for revealing himself in the heavens – which includes the display of the sun:

 

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. Psalm 19:4–6 (AV)

 

In the next section of the Psalm, David praises God for his law, testimony, statutes, commandments, judgments. He then says that God’s instruction is better than gold:

 

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

 

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Psalm 19:7–10 (AV)

 

The language of a pearl, first derives from the Lord’s parable:

 

44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:44–46 (AV)

 

The use of pearls as a superlative for value and beauty was a common place among Puritans. Consider for example the language of Thomas Brooks praising the good of assurance of salvation[5]:

 

Ah! it is such a pearl of price, it is such a beam of God, it is such a spark of glory, that makes my soul a rich amends for all its waiting, weeping, and wrestling.[6]

 

Christ, who is the wisdom praised by Taylor in this poem, is often referred as a pearl of price:

 

The scripture is the compass by which the rudder of our will is to be steered; it is the field in which Christ, the Pearl of price, is hid; it is a rock of diamonds; it is a sacred collyrium, or “eye-salve;” it mends their eyes that look upon it; it is a spiritual optic-glass in which the glory of God is resplendent; it is the panacy or “universal medicine” for the soul. [7]

 

 

 

[1]The pearl does not possess wealth but rather requires great wealth to purchase. A “pearl of price” is an expensive pearl.

[2]Nothing obscures the sight.

[3]“Bowling” does not refer to the modern game of bowl, but rather to the movement of the sun, “rolling” through the sky.

[4]“Law” means far more than rules or statutes, and rather refers to the manner of life and how one should live.

[5]I recall being informed in college that the movement caused by the Reformation resulted in a loss of assurance for the “common  man” was he was now left alone with God. That is nonsense: a constant argument of the Reformers was that assurance of salvation (right standing with God) could be had. It was the earlier medieval position that such assurance could only be had by the rarest of individuals (“saints”) perhaps – but it was foolish if not wicked for a common man to think himself assured.

[6]Thomas Brooks, The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks, ed. Alexander Balloch Grosart, vol. 2 (Edinburgh; London; Dublin: James Nichol; James Nisbet and Co.; G. Herbert, 1866), 515.

 

[7]James Nichols, Puritan Sermons, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Richard Owen Roberts, Publishers, 1981), 63

Angels’ Wits are Childish Tricks

12 Thursday Sep 2013

Posted by in Colossians, Edward Taylor, Literature, Puritan

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

(This is the first entry on the poem of Edward Taylor, “Thou glory darkening glory” — a meditation on Colossians 2:3).

 

Thou glory darkening glory,[1] with thy flame

Should all quaint[2] metaphors teem ev’ry bud

Of sparkling eloquence upon the same[3]

It would appear as daubing pearls[4] with mud.

Nay angels’ wits are childish tricks[5], and like

Darksome[6] night unto thy lightsome[7] light.

 

Taylor’s poem is marked as a meditation on Colossians 2:3:

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3 (AV)

The Colossian congregation had been invaded by a “philosophy” (as Paul in one place calls it) which sought to give a higher wisdom, a greater spirituality than coul be had in Christ. Therefore, Paul seeks to establish the majesty and beauty of Jesus above all competition.

Paul introduces his argument (following his opening) by speaking of the “glorious might” of exhibited in God in moving those redeemed from darkness to light (all quotations are from the Authorized Version, the King James, so as to give an idea of Taylor’s experience of the Scripture):

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: Colossians 1:11–14 (AV)

The imagery from this passage seems in part to have suggested to Taylor the imagery of glory, light and darkness.

The reference to the limitations on angels also flows from Colossians. First, Paul extolls Jesus of the creator of all things, including angels:

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; Colossians 1:15–19 (AV)

The reference to “thrones, dominions, principalities, powers” are references to various angelic beings. Later in the letter Paul condemns the “worship of angels” (there is some debate as to whether the false teachers were instructing one to worship the angels as an object or to worship God alongside the angels in some mystical manner) (Colossians 2:18).

However, Taylor was not limited to Colossians alone as a source for his meditation on God’s glory.  The beautiful glory of God in Jesus is a common theme of the New Testament. Taylor opens this poem extolling the glory of the wisdom in Christ with a general praise of Christ’s glory.

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:13–16 (AV)

 

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Revelation 1:12–16 (AV)

There was a hint of this glory prior to the Resurrection:

1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Matthew 17:1–3 (AV)

Now, the movement from the glory of Christ generally to the glory of wisdom is not a great movement.  Peter, who had witnessed the transfiguration places the prophetic word as more sure than even his experience of the transfiguration:

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:16–21 (AV)

 In addition, the proposition that Jesus contains the wisdom of God is not only found in Colossians. Pau makes a similar designation in 1 Corinthians 1:

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:28–31 (AV)

 

(Starcluster, NGC265 — click for full size)

hs-2006-17-b-full_jpg

 

[1] The glory of God so outshines the glory of anything created that such things appear to be dark in comparison.

[2] Here, something clever, intelligent – not trite and small, as in American slang.

[3] If I tried to match your beauty with an encrustation of adjectives, it would be like covering a pearl in mud.

[4] To understand the effect of this image, consider how expensive and exotic a pearl would be a frontier pastor in a rural congregation  in the 17th Century.

[5] That is simply a great line.

[6] Note the accent on the first syllable. The unexpected rhythm coupled with the internal rhyme (night/light) and the repetition of long “I” sounds (like, night, lightsome, light) create a memorable effect.

[7] -some, a suffix which designates something as characterized by. See, Fowler’s Modern English Usage for an interesting history of the use of the suffix.