“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 (read Colossians 2:1-10)

The Apostle Paul warns his hearers, both at Colosse and around the world today, to beware “lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words” (v. 4). Much is preached and proclaimed in the name of Christianity which is nothing of the sort. The messages may be persuasive and enticing, but the result — even if the spokesmen are well-meaning — is to deceive and turn people away from saving faith in Jesus Christ.

The believers at Colosse had heard the Gospel message from Epaphras. He had proclaimed to them that Jesus Christ, the very Son of God and Creator of all things, had atoned for all their sins and won their reconciliation to God the Father by suffering and dying on the cross for their sins and rising again on the third day. Through faith in Jesus, they had “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (1:14). Through faith in Jesus, God the Father had “delivered” them “from the power of darkness and conveyed [them] into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (1:13). For the sake of Jesus’ shed blood, they were now counted “holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (1:19-22). And as a result, they had a certain hope of the everlasting blessings of heaven (1:5).

Therefore, Paul lovingly wrote to the believers in Colosse, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (2:6-7). They had all they needed in Jesus their Savior — nothing more was required of them in order to be saved.

Paul warned them: “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (v. 8-10).

The apostle did not want them to be robbed of their faith and assurance in Jesus by human doctrines dealing with what foods they should eat, on what days they should worship, and regarding spiritual knowledge and angelic intermediaries (cf. 2:16-18). They were complete in Jesus; for He fulfilled all of the righteous demands of God’s holy law in their stead, and He suffered and died and paid in full for all their sins and rose again on the third day. Through faith in Jesus, they received forgiveness for all their sins and the certainty of eternal life. And, it is through faith in Jesus that we, too, have forgiveness for all our sins and the certainty of a place in God’s eternal kingdom!

The Old Testament ordinances dealing with sabbath days, holy days, and foods were only a shadow of things to come and were to point us to Christ (2:17). Now that Christ has come and accomplished our salvation, it would be foolish to return to a mandatory observance of mere shadows and give up the blessings won for us by our Savior! And, it is foolish of us to think we can add to the merits of Christ and somehow be more acceptable to God by following man-made traditions in regard to church ceremonies, liturgies, or rites.

Rather, we should continue to trust in Messiah Jesus, as taught to us by the Holy Scriptures. We should continue in the hope and assurance that He has redeemed us from all sin by the shedding of His holy and precious blood for us on the cross. Indeed, we have all we need in the crucified and risen Christ Jesus — we are complete in Him!

O dearest Jesus, thank You for fulfilling all the holy demands of the law for me, and thank You for paying the just penalty for my sins that I might have forgiveness and life everlasting with You in heaven. Graciously keep me in the true and saving faith and let no false teaching or human tradition rob me of Your blessings. Amen.

[Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

“I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end, I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” Colossians 1:24-29

Why was the Apostle Paul suffering? Why was he persecuted, imprisoned, and facing death? And why did He rejoice in those sufferings?

Paul, like the other apostles of our Lord Jesus, faced many hardships. To the Corinthians, he wrote in 2 Cor. 11:24-28: “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness — besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”

Paul suffered all these things because he was a faithful minister of the Gospel — he preached Christ, and Him crucified, as the only way to heaven, as the only salvation for sinful mankind. The apostle called on men everywhere to repent of their rebellion and sin and return to the true God through faith in the crucified and risen Son of God. And for that, Paul suffered greatly in this world — though he now wears a crown of righteousness in heaven with his Savior (cf. 2 Tim. 4:7-8).

Paul was a prisoner when he wrote this letter to the believers in Colosse. He was in bonds for preaching the crucified and risen Christ Jesus as the only source of forgiveness of sins and life eternal for both Jew and Gentile. Yet, Paul didn’t hold back from setting forth the truth in order to preserve his own life or to avoid trouble from those who opposed the Word of God. As Paul wrote, he preached Christ, “warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end, I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily” (vv. 28-29).

Paul preached that Jesus fulfilled God’s eternal plan for our salvation and willingly suffered and died on the cross, paying in full for the sins of the world, and He rose again from the dead on the third day, all so that those who trust in Jesus for forgiveness and life and follow after Him, though they will also suffer in this world, might be presented holy and righteous in God’s sight, their sins cleansed and covered in the shed blood of Christ.

We still rejoice in the Apostle Paul’s sufferings today because they were for his faithfulness to the Gospel, which was revealed to him by God. He faithfully fulfilled His calling. He proclaimed the truth of the Gospel so that we, as well as the Colossians, might come to know Christ and the riches He won for us on the cross and continue to trust in Christ alone and be presented to God complete and without fault on the Last Day — in Christ Jesus!

Dearest Jesus, our blessed Savior and Redeemer, embolden us to speak Your Word faithfully as we should and not hold back, calling upon people everywhere to repent of their sinful ways and trust in You for forgiveness and life. And, if we must suffer persecution — even if that be prison or death — let us rejoice that we were privileged to suffer for Your name’s sake and for the truth of the Gospel. Amen.

[Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” Colossians 1:15-23

Colossians 1:15-23 offers a breathtaking vision of Jesus Christ, elevating Him far beyond a mere historical figure or a good teacher. This passage is a powerful reminder that Jesus is supreme over all creation and the head of the church, and only in Him do we find complete reconciliation.

The apostle Paul describes Jesus as “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (v. 15). This doesn’t mean He was created, but rather that He holds the preeminent position — He has the rights and authority of the firstborn son.

Paul wrote: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist (vv. 16-17).

Consider the vastness of the universe, the distant galaxies, the intricate ecosystems, and the very forces that govern nature. The text affirms that Jesus is the architect, the purpose, and the sustaining power of it all. The original Greek word for “consist” (or “hold together”) suggests that if Jesus withdrew His power for even a moment, the universe would unravel (cf. John 1:1-4; Heb. 1:1-3).

Do you recognize Christ as the one who holds your world together — your job, your family, your future? We often try to force stability through our own effort, but true security is found only in the one who created and sustains the cosmos.

Jesus’s preeminence isn’t limited to creation; it extends to the spiritual realm as well. Paul writes: “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (vv. 18-20).

As the “head of the body, the church,” Jesus guides, directs, and nourishes believers. His resurrection, being the “firstborn from the dead,” is the guarantee of our own resurrection and the ultimate proof of His victory over sin and death. By means of His sacrifice, the Father’s wrath against our sin is satisfied, and He desires to reconcile all things to Himself — both heavenly and earthly. The cross is the universal source of peace and restoration.

Paul makes this grand theological statement intensely personal for all who believe: “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and irreproachable in His sight — if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard…” (vv. 21-23).

Before we trusted in Christ, we were “alienated and enemies” of God. But when we turned from our sinful ways and trusted in Christ’s death on the cross as our atoning sacrifice, that status changed completely. We are now reconciled to God that we might be presented before Him “holy, and blameless, and irreproachable.” This is an incredible gift of grace!

These final verses include a vital condition: that we “continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast.” This isn’t a challenge to earn our salvation, but a reminder that we are justified and counted righteous in God’s sight only through faith in Christ. Apart from such faith, we are dead in our sins and under the wrath of God (cf. John 3:14-18, 36; John 8:24).

Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing the majesty of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to recognize Him as the one who created and sustains all things, including us and our lives. By Your Spirit’s working through Your Word, keep us grounded and steadfast in the hope of the gospel — holding fast to Christ and His cross in faith — that we may be presented before You holy and without blame. Amen.

[Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 (read Col. 1:1-14)

The opening of Paul’s letter to the believers in Colosse is a beautiful reminder of what God has done for us and who we are in Christ. It begins with a recognition of the Colossians’ faith, love, and hope, which came as a result of hearing the truth of the Gospel (Colossians 1:4-6).

This leads Paul into a powerful prayer for the Colossian believers — a prayer that should be our daily petition for ourselves and other believers (Colossians 1:9-12). He prays for them to be “filled with the knowledge of His will” so they can “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10). The Christian life, according to Paul, is one of continuous growth, fruitfulness, and deeper knowledge of God.

But the crescendo of this passage is in verses 13 and 14, where Paul defines the foundational work of God in our lives:

• Divine Deliverance — “He has delivered us from the power of darkness…” (Colossians 1:13a). Before we knew Christ and trusted in Him and His atoning sacrifice, we were under the dominion of sin and spiritual darkness. God, in His mercy, has rescued us from that bondage.

• Royal Relocation — “…and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love…” (Colossians 1:13b). We were not just saved from something; we were saved to something. We have been moved from the realm of spiritual darkness and death into the kingdom and reign of Christ, the Son of God’s love. This is a positional truth — it’s who we now are, children of God through faith in Christ Jesus (cf. Gal. 3:26-29).

• Perfect Pardon — “in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:14). The entire transaction — our deliverance and our relocation — was paid for by Christ’s sacrifice. We are redeemed, which means we were purchased and bought back with Christ’s shed blood. And, through faith in Christ, our sins are now forgiven and we are conveyed into His eternal kingdom.

Think about that for a moment: You have been redeemed from the rule of sin and death by the shedding of the holy and precious blood of Christ for our sins. And through faith in Christ’s atonement, you are now pardoned and set free and a part of Christ’s kingdom (cf. 1 Peter 1:17-21). This is not just a future hope; it is a present reality for every believer.

The challenges of daily life can sometimes obscure this magnificent reality. We may feel the pull of old habits or the weight of past mistakes. Yet, Paul’s prayer reminds us that because of this deliverance, we can now seek to be “filled with the knowledge of His will” (Colossians 1:9) and walk in a life that is “fully pleasing Him” (Colossians 1:10).

Let the realization of your deliverance define your identity, your relocation guide your actions, and your redemption fuel your gratitude.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the incredible work of salvation. Thank You for delivering us from the power of darkness and transferring us into the kingdom of Your Son’s love. We praise You for the redemption and forgiveness we have through faith in Christ’s shed blood. Fill us with the knowledge of Your will, that we may walk worthy of You, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in our knowledge of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14; read chapter 16)

In the concluding remarks of his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul gives a series of powerful, concise commands that are just as vital for believers today as they were for the early church. These aren’t suggestions for spiritual excellence; they are essentials for navigating the Christian life in a fractured world.

The closing chapter of 1 Corinthians includes an urgent call: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (v. 13).

• Watch: Be alert. The Christian life is not a cruise, but a battlefield. We must be aware of the spiritual dangers, temptations, and deceptive influences around us. This calls for sobriety and prayerfulness (1 Peter 5:8).

• Stand fast in the faith: Firmly hold to the core truth of the Gospel. Don’t be swayed by shifting doctrines or cultural trends. Our foundation is Christ and His cross, and we must remain rooted in Him (Colossians 2:6-7).

• Be brave, be strong: These commands speak to courage and resilience. Following Christ often requires us to go against the current of the world. It takes strength — not our own, but the strength that the Holy Spirit supplies — to live holy lives, forgive the unforgivable, and share the truth boldly.

Yet, this list of virtues is incomplete without Paul’s final, overarching instruction: “Let all that you do be done with love” (v. 14).

Love is the indispensable ingredient. It is the framework that gives meaning to watching, standing, and being strong. Without love, our courage is mere self-assertion; our strength, potentially abusive; and our doctrinal stance, cold legalism (1 Cor. 13:1-3). Paul has already spent a significant portion of this letter (chapter 13) defining this selfless, agape love, making it clear that it must permeate every action, every interaction, and every belief.

Our strong stand for the faith must be offered with gentle, compassionate love. Our bravery in ministry must be fueled by a deep love for God and for the people we serve. We are to be the strongest people, standing firm on the truth, and simultaneously the most loving people, demonstrating Christ’s self-giving nature to the world.

Takeaway Challenge: How does your “strong stand” in life look when filtered through the command to “do everything with love”? This week, ask God to show you an area where you need to be strong in conviction and generous in love.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the clear, powerful directives in Your Word. Strengthen us to watch and be alert, to stand fast in the truth of the Gospel, and to be brave and strong as we live for You. Most of all, Holy Spirit, fill us with the love of Christ, that all we do — our standing, our speaking, our serving — will be motivated and guided by love, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.

[Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

Chapter 16 Outline

I. The Collection for the Saints (1 Corinthians 16:1-4)

A. The Command and Pattern (16:1)
The Corinthians are instructed to follow the same procedures for the collection for the saints as the churches of Galatia.
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also.” (1 Corinthians 16:1)

B. The Method and Timing (16:2)
The collection is to be taken up systematically on the first day of the week, with each person setting aside money according to their prosperity.
“On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)

C. The Delivery of the Gift (16:3-4)
Trusted messengers chosen by the Corinthians will deliver the collection to Jerusalem; Paul is willing to accompany them if the amount warrants it.
“And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.” (1 Corinthians 16:3-4)

II. Paul’s Travel Plans (1 Corinthians 16:5–9)

A. Intended Visit to Corinth (16:5–6)
Paul plans to visit Corinth after passing through Macedonia, hoping to stay for some time, perhaps even through the winter.
“Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my way wherever I go.” (1 Corinthians 16:5-6)

B. Avoiding a Quick Call (16:7)
He wishes to spend a sufficient period with them and not just a brief visit in passing.
“For I do not wish to see you now on the way, but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.” (1 Corinthians 16:7)

C. Present Location and Opportunity (16:8-9)
Paul will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost because a great and effective door for ministry has opened, despite significant opposition.
“But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” (1 Corinthians 16:8-9)

III. Instructions Regarding Coworkers (1 Corinthians 16:10-12)

A. Concerning Timothy (16:10-11)
The Corinthians are instructed to receive Timothy without fear and help send him back to Paul, as he is laboring in the Lord’s work.
“And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. Therefore let no one despise him, but send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am expecting him with the brethren.” (1 Corinthians 16:10-11)

B. Concerning Apollos (16:12)
Paul assures the Corinthians that Apollos knows their desire for him to visit, but he has chosen to delay his visit until a more convenient time.
“Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.” (1 Corinthians 16:12)

IV. Final Exhortations (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

A. Call to Spiritual Vigilance (16:13)
The believers are commanded to be watchful, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, and be strong.
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)

B. The Rule of Love (16:14)
All actions within the community must be governed by love.
“Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

V. Commendation and Submission (1 Corinthians 16:15-18)

A. The Household of Stephanas (16:15)
The house of Stephanas is recognized as the first converts in Achaia and commended for their dedication to ministry.
“I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints —” (1 Corinthians 16:15)

B. Exhortation to Submit (16:16)
The Corinthians are instructed to submit themselves to such diligent servants and to all who labor and work with them.
“that you also submit to such, and to everyone who helps us and labors.” (1 Corinthians 16:16)

C. Encouragement from Visitors (16:17–18)
Paul expresses joy over the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who have refreshed his spirit and the spirit of the Corinthians.
“I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours; therefore acknowledge such men.” (1 Corinthians 16:17-18)

VI. Concluding Greetings and Benediction (1 Corinthians 16:19-24)

A. Greetings from Churches and Individuals (16:19)
The churches of Asia and the individuals Aquila and Priscilla (Prisca) send their greetings.
“The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.” (1 Corinthians 16:19)

B. Standard Farewell Greeting (16:20)
All the brethren send greetings, and they are instructed to greet one another with a holy kiss.
“All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (1 Corinthians 16:20)

C. Paul’s Personal Signature and Warning (16:21-22)
Paul adds a greeting written by his own hand and delivers a strong warning (anathema) to anyone who does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, followed by the Aramaic phrase Maranatha (“Our Lord, come!”).
“The salutation with my own handb— Paul’s. If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Maranatha!” (1 Corinthians 16:21-22)

D. Final Grace and Assurance of Love (16:23-24)
Paul concludes with a final blessing of grace and a declaration of his love for all of them in Christ Jesus.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” (1 Corinthians 16:23-24)

[Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]