Colossians

5/5/25 – “The Hope Laid Up For You In Heaven”

Colossians 1 is full of good teaching and godly things to contemplate. One of these is stated in Colossians 1:5 when Paul talks to the Colossians about “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.” To break this section down and consider the lessons he is teaching would take much time and “ink” to truly unfold. However, I want us to focus on two obvious things in the text.

First, this hope is not a distant possibility, but a certainty, “laid up” in Heaven. This imagery of something better and greater “laid up,” “stored up,” or “treasured up” is seen in several places in the Bible. Let us consider two examples. First, Jesus spoke of this in His sermon in Matthew 6:19-21 when He said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Second, Paul wrote, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (II Tim. 4:6-8). Thus, in Colossians, we see again their “hope” is “laid up” in Heaven.

Hope is not a wish or some type of pipe dream. The hope that the apostle speaks of here is really earnest expectation. The hope from God is called such because it has not been realized yet. At the same time, it is not something out of reach, but a definite promise we have due to being a Christian. Paul would later speak of this hope as being connected to Christ and the gospel in Colossians 1:23 and 27. Peter would talk about the living hope and how this hope “is in you” in I Peter 1:3 and 3:15. Paul wrote to Titus about the hope of eternal life and connected it with the return of Jesus in Titus 1:2 and 2:13. The Holy Spirit spoke of hope as being “better” and “an anchor of the soul” in Hebrews 6:19 and 7:19. Notice that in all of these cases, hope is connected with deity as well as humanity. This is not something that is a mere “wish” or “dream,” but something real, “laid up” for the faithful Christians like the Colossians, and individuals like Titus, and you and me!

Second, notice in Colossians 1:5 that our hope is intimately connected with “the word of the truth of the gospel.” In other words, this is where they heard about it! The word “gospel” is defined as “good news.” The reason it is good news is because of what it reveals about our salvation (Mk. 16:16). At the same time, it is good news because it shows what we have to look forward to as a result of living for the Lord! This is not man’s idea or some myth passed down through the ages. We have this hope because “the word of the truth of the gospel” reveals it! This objective and unshakable truth (Jn. 17:17) revealed to us through the Holy Spirit (II Pet. 1:20-21), and then written by men who risked their lives to make sure the truth was taught and preached, has revealed this hope to us! Does this truth not excite you? Does this truth not humble you? Does this truth not motivate you to follow the Lord’s will and live for him now that we might see Heaven one day?

The Colossians were motivated to endure the temptations of Satan and the trials of men because of the enduring hope they had learned about through the preaching of God’s word (Col. 1:5). Do you believe in this hope also? What have you endured as a Christian (Acts 2:38, 11:26; I Pet. 4:16)? What are you willing to endure? Remember, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (II Cor. 4:17)! Truly, “...the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18)! Become a Christian and cling tightly to this enduring hope and look forward to something greater than anything man could imagine on earth.

– Jarrod M. Jacobs

​5/1/25 - “Paul’s Care And Prayer For Those He Had Not Met”

The Colossian brethren hold a unique place in Bible history, as well as Paul’s personal history. As far as I can tell, the Christians at Colossae and the Christians at Rome were the only ones to whom Paul wrote, whom he had not first met or had some involvement in their conversion (Col. 1:4, 7, 2:1; Rom. 1:13-15). He evidently had heard from Epaphras about the Colossians (Col. 1:7) and perhaps from Onesimus too (Col. 4:9).

When we read the first chapter of Colossians, we should be deeply moved by the selfless love and concern Paul had for people whom he had not met. He stated they were in his prayers (v. 3), and then went on to describe the specific way he was praying for them (v. 9-12). His prayers were not for his gain, but for their spiritual growth in the Lord. More will be said about his concern for them in chapter two, but for the moment, let's focus on what Paul said in chapter one.

Some might ask, “How could those people be Christians if Paul wasn’t there to teach them the truth?” We know the answer to this question! It was men like Epaphras who took up the work in teaching the Colossians the truth. Just as there were people who had gone ahead to Rome and taught the sinners (Acts 28:14; Rom. 1), there were people who had taught the Colossians. The word of God has the power to save (Rom. 1:16). It is not men or men’s personalities we need to rely on to win people to Christ. We need to trust in God’s word to save. It saved folks in Colossae, and it saves people today!

Paul’s care for these people is genuine, and when reading Colossians, we should focus on this. I say this because Paul left us an example to follow (I Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17). Let us not ignore it.

In a world of hatred, abuse, jealousy, and the like, is it not refreshing to read about the love Paul had for people like the Colossians? He was ready to “rejoice with them that do rejoice …” (Rom. 12:15). They (and all Christians) have much reason to rejoice when we think about the blessings that belong to us in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

There is a unique joy that comes from interceding for others, and this joy is a blessing in itself. What care and what prayer have you offered on behalf of fellow saints? Toward those you know and those you don’t know? If you have not been busy praying for others (I Thess. 5:17), then make this a daily habit, and rejoice in the blessings you see in others as a result of your prayers.

– Jarrod M. Jacobs

5/2/25 - “Since We Heard Of Your Faith …”

Faith, the foundational and transformative force in the lives of Christians, is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). It is the driving force that leads us to follow the Lord, for without faith, “it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6). 

Faith, as used in Scripture, is both objective, i.e., “the faith” (Jude 3), and subjective, i.e., “your faith” (I Cor. 2:5). In Colossians 1:4, it is used in the subjective sense. Paul commends these Christians because he had heard of their faith. This tells us that our (subjective) faith is more than just a mental assent. The faith the Bible speaks of is visible through action!

How can I say this? Read Colossians 1:3-4. “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints.” How could Paul (or anyone) “hear” about someone’s faith if they have not acted? Mere mental assent shows no proof of faith, and mental assent cannot be shown to others. However, when this faith is put into action, faith is alive (Jas. 1:26)! This is when people hear about it!

Of course, this is not the only time Paul has offered such a compliment to Christians. To the Romans, he wrote, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Rom. 1:8). In this case, folks were speaking about the Romans’ faith. How could they speak of it if it wasn’t put into action (Rom. 10:16)? We know the answer! Their faith was seen in their obedience (Rom. 16:19). Paul wrote something similar to the Thessalonians (I Thess. 1:3), as well as to his “fellow laborer” Philemon (Phile. 5).

If Paul had written a letter to you, or a letter to the church of which you are a member, could he say he has “heard of your faith”? If not, why not? It is past time for us to take responsibility and act on our faith! True faith demands action, not merely stating our belief in silence and hoping no one notices (Jas. 2:17-18, 20, 24, 26). The Colossians demonstrated their faith when it was difficult. Let's learn from them and show the kind of faith that is “heard,” “seen,” and respected because we live our lives for the Lord!

– Jarrod M. Jacobs

5/6/25 - “Epaphras Our Dear Fellow Servant”

Epaphras is mentioned only three times in Scripture, but his impact on the Colossians was significant. I am impressed with this man in the few sentences Paul wrote in the books of Colossians and Philemon. They speak volumes about this Christian, who sacrificed so that not only would he be free from sin, but also others would follow the Lord. Let us study about Epaphras and learn three important lessons from the apostle Paul.

First, Paul credited Epaphras for spreading the gospel to the Colossians (Col. 1:6-7). He called Epaphras a “fellow servant” and a “faithful minister of Christ.” Paul does not go into detail here, but in I Timothy 4:6, a “good minister” will put people in “remembrance” of what has been taught. No doubt Epaphras would have taught the Colossians things they had not heard before, but also continued with the brethren to remind them of things they had been taught. Being described as “faithful” would also mean he spoke God’s truth in the same manner as Paul taught Timothy, to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (II Tim. 4:2). He would have been a man who spoke “as the oracles of God” (I Pet. 4:11). The results of Epaphras’ preaching was there was a significant number of people who became Christians, and these people were faithful to God. That is evident as we continue to read the book.

Not only was Epaphras faithful to preach the truth, but he was also a man of prayer (Col. 4:12). Epaphras was a man who labored “fervently for you in prayers.” I am impressed with this description. Epaphras’ prayers were not casual, but intense, with a clear purpose: “That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God”! This description of Epaphras’ prayers should inspire us to reevaluate our prayer life. Do we pray to God with this kind of intensity? If not, why not? Are we still praying the prayers we prayed when we were first Christians and needed to grow in the Lord (Heb. 5:12-14; II Pet. 2:2)? The impact of those “effectual, fervent” prayers of Epaphras was felt by the brethren at Colossae and perhaps by Paul himself and others.

Lastly, when studying about this man, we also see he spent time in prison for preaching the truth of the gospel (Phile. 23). We are not privy to the time or his specific treatment. Still, Paul calls him a “fellowprisoner,” which makes me think he was imprisoned for the same or similar reasons as Paul, perhaps around the same time. Epaphras takes his place with such worthies as Andronicus and Junia (Rom. 16:7), Aristarchus (Col. 4:10), Silas (Acts 16:19-25), and other named and unnamed Christians who suffered for the cause of Christ. His suffering was not in vain. It significantly impacted the spread of the gospel and the strengthening of the church at Colossae.

Epaphras was a brave man who served God and Paul, suffered for the Lord’s cause, and showed his unwavering love for the brethren that he had brought to the Lord. His example is one that we should not overlook. He could have said as Paul said to “follow me as I follow Christ” (I Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17). In our Bible study, let us slow down and make sure we notice men and women like Epaphras. Their example is left for us that we might see what a faithful servant of God looks like. Let us eagerly study their lives and learn from their experiences, for they have much to teach us about faith, sacrifice, and service.

– Jarrod M. Jacobs

5/9/25 – “Is Christ Prominent Or Preeminent?”

Paul wrote to the Colossians and spoke of Christ and His redemption, creative power, and ability to hold everything together (Col. 1:14-17). Continuing this thought, Paul wrote, “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” (Col. 1:18). To be preeminent is to hold first place, or be first in rank or position. Nothing comes before the thing or person that is preeminent in your life!

In Colossians 1, Christ is described as our redeemer, creator, sustainer, the head of the church, and the “firstborn from the dead.” If for no other reason than these, Christ needs to be preeminent in our lives. He must be first in rank. He must hold the first position in our lives. This is a position He truly deserves (Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17).

Let us beware lest Satan tempt us (Jas. 1:14-15; I Jn. 2:15-17) and we place someone or something above Christ. In its simplest form, when we prioritize anything before the Lord, it becomes our idol. Colossians 3:5 warns us that “covetousness is idolatry.” Our idol might very well be a thought, a wish, etc., just as much as a stick or a stone. Is there any wonder John commands, “ Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (I Jn. 5:21)? We must avoid anything and everything that would demand first place (preeminence) before the Lord!

For many, Christ is “prominent” in their lives. In other words, they see Christ as important, but not the most important. They want to raise a moral family and know that Christ’s doctrine must help guide them. They want their children to be well-behaved, and they want them to be good citizens. Yet, they do not wish to be considered a “religious nut,” or some kind of “kook,” so Christ takes a prominent place in their lives, but He is not preeminent. This is a problem because Christ demands and deserves preeminence (Col. 1:18)! 

Is Christ prominent in your life or preeminent? Let us take a little test and see …

• Do you “forsake the assembling of ourselves together” when you find things “more important” are going on? (Read Heb. 10:25)?
• Do you plan to faithfully worship God on the Lord’s day, even when on vacation (Jn. 4:24)? Or do you allow vacations to dictate whether or not you will assemble with the saints? (Ex: not sure where a congregation meets, too far away, etc.)
• Do you consider certain things more important than the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33)?
• Do you put the Lord and His kingdom first, even above your job, family, and friends (Matt. 10:34-39)?
• Do you consider living for Jesus a “good ideal” but impossible in the 21st century? (Col. 3:17; I Pet. 4:11)
• Do you consider “walking in the light” (I Jn. 1:7) the only way (not “one of” the ways) to live in this world?
• Do you think all churches are OK, and we just need to choose the church that fits us best? (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47)
• Do we insist that Christ is the head (singular) of the body (singular), the church (Col. 1:18)?

– Jarrod M. Jacobs