Excellence to Excel

GREETINGS TO PEOPLE IN SPECIFIC AND GENERAL (COL 4: 15-18): After conveying the greetings from the specific people, Paul greets some specific people. Paul writes to give his greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha (s) and the church in her (his) house. And when the letter has been read among them, they shall have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and see that they also read the letter from Laodicea. Paul mentions that he struggles for the people of Colosse and those in Laodicea and Paul told that Epaphras has a deep concern for the people in Colosse and those in Laodicea. Laodicea is a neighborhood for Colosse and the church in Laodicea must have had a very close relationship with the church in Colosse, that they share knowledge with one another. In the revelation to John, he mentions Laodicea as one of the seven Churches. Nympha (s) must be a believer in Laodicea and since (s)he was capable enough to accompany many people, the church would have met in her (h...

GREETINGS FROM SPECIFIC PEOPLE (COL 4: 10-14): Paul continues his greetings to Colossians. Paul writes that Aristarchus his fellow prisoner greets them, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom they have received instructions, and if he comes to them, they shall welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among his fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they had been a comfort to him. Aristarchus must be a person from Macedonia. The craftsmen of idols in Ephesus rebelled against Paul and his companions, including Aristarchus when Paul preached about Jesus, and their business was affected. When Paul determined to set sail for Syria through Macedonia, some companions including Aristarchus accompanied him. When Paul and his companions had to sail for Italy, Paul and some prisoners were delivered to a Centurion, and they put Aristarchus to sea to sail to some places and the coast of Asia. Since he was close to Paul, he must have kn...

INTRODUCING TYCHICUS AND ONESIMUS (COL 4: 7-9): Finally, Paul writes his greetings to the Corinthians. He writes that Tychicus will tell them all about his activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. Tychicus is from Asia and one of the associates of Paul. Tychicus was assigned to give a brief report to Corinthians about the works and being of Paul. He would have got a good report from his fellow believers and he would have done the ministry that is assigned to him truthfully in a God-pleasing way. Paul then writes that He had sent Tychicus to them for that very purpose, that they may know how they are and that he may encourage their hearts, and with him Onesimus, their faithful and beloved brother, who is one of them. They will tell them of everything that had taken place there. Tychicus is not just sent to convey their works and being but also convey the well-being and goodness of him and also motivate the Corinthians and stimulate th...

INSTRUCTION TO PRAY AND WALK GODLY (COL 4: 2-6): After writing the general instructions and specific instructions to the Colossians believers, Paul writes his final instructions to them. Paul writes to continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, they shall pray also for them, that God may open to them a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which he is in prison that he may make it clear, which is how he ought to speak. Though we know all the principles and commandments of God, and thereby what is good and what is bad, there are always chances that we just keep pursuing our selfish desires and pleasing others in our immediate surroundings without really practicing what is right and pleasing God. The constant communication with God by reminding ourselves of the will of God for our lives and being grateful for what He had given and what He had not given helps us to pursue and come back to what is perfect. Also, ...

INSTRUCTION TO MASTERS (COL 4: 1): After writing specific instructions to people in the household and about the results of Godly and ungodly life, Paul writes a specific instruction to Masters. Paul writes that Masters shall treat their bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that he also has a Master in heaven. Earthly Masters feel that they have all authority over the bondservant and they can deal with it as they like, but Paul instructs the believing masters to have Godly Characters while dealing with their bondservants. Irrespective of all the authority and power over the servants who are without any independence, Paul makes it clear not to take it as an advantage. But instead, they have to treat them just as God treats everyone without any partiality or discrimination or dominion, though He is all worthy and has all the authority to do what He wants. The Masters should provide for the bondservants’ needs, understand their interests, give them independence, and help them in their...

RESULTS OF GODLY AND UNGODLY LIFE (COL 3: 23- 25): After writing some specific instructions to the people in the household, Paul makes a conclusive note to Colossians. Paul writes that whatever they do, they shall work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord they will receive the inheritance as their reward. They are serving the Lord Christ. We may have been entrusted with some responsibilities or we may have taken some responsibilities, whatever it is, we are accountable for it and we should manage it by being good stewards. We should do it as it is seen by the Lord and not just take it for granted or just do it incompletely without any interest or concern. God will surely reward for every act of righteousness with a wholesome sincere heart and integrity. Also, though it may not be noticed by people around and much appreciated, God will provide his inheritance as Sons or Daughters of God. When we do the tasks entrusted or taken completely without any fl...

GODLY LIFE IN HOUSE (COL 3: 18- 22): Paul continues to write some specific instructions to specific people in Colossians. Pauls writes that wives shall submit to their husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. The instruction to wives to submit doesn’t mean that they are inferior to men in any aspect but it helps in the bonding between man and woman and also helps in building the family well.  Also, there is an addition that it is fitting in the Lord as the Lord had made the man first to be the head of the creation, and the woman was made to complement him. The authority of husbands should never be taken as an advantage but always as a responsibility. That’s why Paul adds an instruction to husbands to love their wives, and not to be harsh with them. Husbands should have strong affection and attachment towards their wives, always give ears to their voices, appreciate their good deeds and thoughts, support their beneficial interests, and fulfill their genuine desires. Though there might...

PUTTING UP GODLY THINGS (COL 3: 10-17): After writing that they have to put off the old self, Paul writes to the Colossians to put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Putting on the new self is not meant to be something physical or external but something mental or internal in terms of getting a new perception and reference standard through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who came into the world as an image of the Lord. And then Paul writes that there it is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, Barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free but Christ is all, and in all. They shall put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another they also must forgive, forgiving each other, as the Lord had forgiven Him. And above all those, they shall put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harm...

PUTTING DOWN UNGODLY THINGS (COL 3: 5-9):  After rightly pointing out to the Colossians to seek Godly things, Paul continues to move on to the next stage of his instruction. Paul mentions to them to put to death therefore what is earthly in them, such as sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Paul also states that, on account of those the wrath of God is coming. Earthly things are meant to be those practices or way of life or way of being that is widely practiced or sought by most people in the quest for the search for happiness, without remembering and following the Godly values and standards by keeping up His commands. Sexual immorality is lusting towards another person just for sexual gratification, outside the marital binding. Impurity is mixing up with someone and following misleading actions or beliefs. Passion is having a strong affection or concern towards something, and here Paul mentions the unlikely passions that don’t s...

SEEKING GODLY THINGS (COL 3: 1-4): Paul writes to the Colossians to remind them about their calling and set up their minds on the heavenly things. Paul writes that if then they have been raised with Christ, they shall seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. They shall set their minds on things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. The Colossians had received Christ and believed in the new life after repentance and reconciliation with God. Paul just reminds them and wants them to realize themselves and uses a conditional clause. Anyone who claims himself to be dead to sins and raised to live a Godly life, needs to seek their thoughts and attitude on the Godly things, by taking Christ as a good role model and example. They shall not just seek Godly things but also determine their minds to follow the worthy things that are of higher Godly values, not on things that are widely practiced by human beings which would temporarily grati...