Colossians Ch. One - An Unfinished Study

by T.M. Hyland, Birkenhead, U.K. | Category: Colossians Ch. One - An Unfinished Study | Sept 1982

In 1950 this magazine included a series of articles entitled "Studies in Ephesians" by our much loved fellow editor, T.M. Hyland, now at home with the Lord. Last Autumn he began a series of similar articles on the Epistle to the Colossians. Although at times suffering considerable pain, he continued undaunted with his writing until, shortly before his death, he laid down his fluent pen for the last time. Four articles were completed, concluding with verse 15 of chapter 1. We are thankful to be able to give readers the fruits of our brother's final labour of love.

Introduction

It will be assumed throughout these studies that Paul's epistle to the Colossians was written by him during his first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28), and that the other "prison" epistles - Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon - belong to the same epoch of his life. Despite various secondary causes Paul attributed his confinement to the will of his Master; he was "the prisoner in the Lord" (Eph. 4:1). Many, no doubt, viewed this captivity as a serious hindrance to the apostle's ministry. But the Spirit of God used the occasion to impart through the chosen vessel the spiritual treasure contained in these "prison" epistles. This treasure is part of our spiritual heritage.

No visit by Paul to Colossae is recorded in the New Testament. But his care for God's people extended to all the churches of God and was not confined to those founded by his means. Probably some of the disciples in the Colossian church were reached through Paul's labours at Ephesus when "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord" (Acts 19:10). Colossae was about 100 miles east of Ephesus.

Present in Rome with the apostle when he wrote this letter was Epaphras, one of the brethren from Colossae who was a devoted servant of Christ, and whose name is prominently associated with that church. Epaphras appears to have made the long journey to Rome to confer with Paul on some of the problems which had arisen in Colossae. The information he gave to the apostle was the immediate cause of the writing of the epistle. Epaphras was a man of outstanding character. To him the spiritual prosperity of churches of God was a consuming passion. He is described as "a servant (Gr. doulos, slave) of Christ Jesus" (4:12), and as "our beloved fellow-servant (slave), who is a faithful minister of Christ" (1:7). High commendation indeed! Paul pays tribute to his intense devotion to the saints at Colossae and to those in the neighbouring assemblies at Laodicea and Hierapolis. With what yardstick did Paul measure the spiritual stature of this devoted servant of Christ? He is "always striving for you in his

prayers", wrote the apostle; "I bear him witness that he hath much labour for you" (4:12, 13). Epaphras conducted his prayer campaign for Colossae with the carefully-planned strategy of a military operation, and Paul, himself a great prayer warrior, was deeply impressed by it. The prayers of Epaphras were not only constant and intense; they were directed to a clearly defined purpose. There was nothing vague about them; they had one supreme objective-that his fellow-disciples at Colossae should "stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God" (4:12). That was a worthy aim and Epaphras knew that it would bring the highest blessing to those he loved and served. He also knew that there were evil powers at work in Colossae determined to hinder its achievement. Hence the urgency and ardour of his prayer campaign.

The labours of Epaphras are on record as an outstanding example of godly concern for the spiritual well-being of God's people. Throughout Paul's epistles there are, here and there, references to various devoted servants of Christ who, like Epaphras, shared the apostle's vision and laboured with him in the founding and maintenance of churches of God. Such men are above price to God's people, and their worth was warmly acknowledged by the apostle. There were also godly sisters who received honourable mention for the part they played in the work of the Lord in those pioneer days.

Perhaps it will not be out of place to be reminded that churches of God are not merely venues where social intercourse is provided for Christians. They are, first and foremost, golden lampstands of divine testimony, spheres in which to worship and serve God, and centres of witness to His Son and to His truth. To preserve their purity and spiritual power vigilant and dedicated leaders are indispensable. Equally vital to their prosperity is the willing-hearted support of all the disciples. Happy indeed is the church where these conditions are in operation! There is seen that dwelling together in unity which is so good and so pleasant. May we each be encouraged to play his part, as did Epaphras, to that desirable end.

We referred earlier to the circumstances of the apostle when he dictated these "prison" epistles. While for two whole years of his detention he was allowed to reside in his own hired dwelling (Acts 28:30), yet as an imperial prisoner he was chained day and night to a Roman legionary. He was "an ambassador in chains" (Eph. 6:20). As one guard completed his stint of duty the great ambassador of Christ was momentarily unshackled. Then the chain was re-attached to the incoming guard. Restricted in movement and denied all privacy Paul, as ever, was the willing slave of his Master. He was never "off duty". "My bonds," he wrote, "became manifest in Christ throughout the whole Praetorian guard" (Phil. 1:13). No doubt as they gossiped in the guardroom the uncouth legionaries would compare notes

on this extraordinary prisoner. What an honour was theirs to spend so much time in the company of this great man of God! We may be assured that in a coming day in the glory there will be some trophies of grace to meet Paul from among the soldiers who guarded him during those memorable days - fruit of his prison witness.

Such were the circumstances in which Epaphras reported to Paul on Colossae. The apostle would listen with wrapt attention. News of progress and fruitfulness gave him pleasure and satisfaction. Yet he would register grave concern as his fellow servant recounted some serious defects present in the church. These defects arose from perversions of the true gospel. Later in these studies further reference will be made to what has been called "the Colossian heresy". It is mentioned here because of its place in the background of the epistle.

Urgently and precisely Epaphras outlined the error which was gaining ground in his local church. The spiritual welfare of a single church of God was of greater moment to these servants of Christ than the current affairs in the Roman world. As Paul pondered the difficulties which were troubling Epaphras the antidote to them took shape in his mind - a mind always open to the movements of the divine Spirit. Then, calling for a roll of papyrus, he began to write, or else dictated his message to his amanuensis and then appended his signature with the closing salutation (4:18). To that fragile roll was committed a divine oracle, not only for Colossae, but also for us.

Chapter 1:1, 2

We have pictured the circumstances under which the epistle was written. We can now picture the occasion of its first reading. One day the Colossian church was called together, no doubt on a Lord's day, to hear its precious contents. We can sense the hush that came over the gathering as one of the overseers or deacons unrolled the document and commenced to read:

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colossae: grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Paul's credentials were impeccable. He is an apostle (envoy) of Christ Jesus through the will of God. The authority of the apostles was not self-appropriated but bestowed by God. They were men chosen by Him to occupy a key place in this age, and their authority is perpetuated in their writings. Among them Paul occupies a leading place. He is one of the gifts of the ascended Lord - a chosen vessel moulded by the master Potter, a masterpiece of divine workmanship. The teaching of the apostles is indispensable for carrying out the will of God. It is a sad feature of our times that even among those labelled "evengelicals" there are some who are eroding apostolic authority. Solemn warnings against such attempts to undermine the Faith are on record (2 Pet. 3:2; Jude 17). These warnings need continual emphasis.

By linking Timothy with himself in his opening greeting the apostle indicates the closeness of the bond between them. The younger man had a reputation among the churches and was marked out as a devoted servant of Christ (Phil. 2:19-23). Paul was gifted with a discriminating mind which enabled him to evaluate the spiritual stature of his fellows. Sometimes outstanding men of God, by the very nature of their gifts, incline to independency. Not so Paul. He was no individualist. Although in nothing behind the very chiefest apostles, yet he had a warm regard for his fellow workers and found great encouragement in their companionship (4:11). And, wise leader that he was, he gave thought to the continuity of the Lord's work. Younger men of Timothy's calibre and vision were vital to the future spiritual prosperity of the churches of God. The Pastoral epistles give examples of Paul's valuable ministry to younger fellow-workers.

(To be continued)

T.M. Hyland, Birkenhead, U.K. | Sept 1982
Colossians Ch. One - An Unfinished Study