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“In Him you have been made complete.” Col 2:10 Textual Studies From Paul’s Letter To The Colossians

Basic Outline –  Opening greetings & admonitions 1:1-12  Description of the Christ in Whom every man can be “complete” 1:13 – 2:23  Instructions on how those “complete” in Christ are to live 3:1 – 4:6  Closing personal remarks 4:7-18 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Paul’s prayer for them vv  Based on what Epaphras told him, Paul states that for which he had been praying for the Colossians  He wanted them to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding v. 9 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 2 – Opening Greetings 1:1-12

Paul’s prayer for them vv  Based on what Epaphras told him, Paul states that for which he had been praying for the Colossians  He also wanted them to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord…to please Him in all respects v. 10a Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 2 – Opening Greetings 1:1-12

Paul’s prayer for them vv  To “walk worthy of the Lord” = to live in such a way that is becoming of Him  It is to live in a way that is consistent with His teachings  Our goal should be to please the Lord 2 Cor 5:9 1 Thess 4:1 2 Tim 2:4 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 2 – Opening Greetings 1:1-12

Paul’s prayer for them vv  Paul uses 4 Greek participles to help identify this “walk worthy of the Lord” in vv. 10b-12  Participles describe verbs (i.e. this “worthy walk”)  They often end in “-ing” Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 2 – Opening Greetings 1:1-12

Participle # 1 “Bearing fruit in every good work…” v. 10b –actions God would have His children do Rom 13:3 Gal 6:9-10 Eph 2:10 1 Tim 2:9-10 5:9-10 –as defined by His word 2 Tim 3:16-17 Mt 7:21-23 Participle # 2 “Increasing in the knowledge of God.” v. 10c –spiritual growth toward always understanding more and more of God’s will v. 9 2 Pet 3:18

Participle # 3 “Being strengthened with all power…to attain all steadfastness…” v. 11 –spiritual strength for faithfulness Eph 6:10-12 Phil 4:13 Participle # 4 “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints of light.” v. 12 –being a grateful & thankful people Rom 1:21 Lk 17: Tim 4:3-5 Phil 4:6

Paul’s prayer for them vv  Re: these 4 Greek participles… Ê “Bearing fruit…” Ë “Increasing in knowledge of God…” Ì “Being strengthened…” Í “Giving thanks…” Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 2 – Opening Greetings 1:1-12

Paul’s prayer for them vv  Re: these 4 Greek participles…  They are all in the present tense  Continual (habitual) actions  Actions we always do  They are not “one-time” or occasional Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 2 – Opening Greetings 1:1-12

Paul’s prayer for them vv  Re: these 4 Greek participles…  They are either active or passive voice  Active Ù we do the acting (#’s 1, 4)  Passive Ù we’re acted upon (#’s 2, 3)  Both God & man contribute to this “walk worthy of the Lord” Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 2 – Opening Greetings 1:1-12

Basic Outline –  Opening greetings & admonitions 1:1-12  Description of the Christ in Whom every man can be “complete” 1:13 – 2:23  Instructions on how those “complete” in Christ are to live 3:1 – 4:6  Closing personal remarks 4:7-18 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 1 – General Introduction

The bulk of Col 1-2 is a majestic description of Christ  Paul has already described the good the Colossians accomplished 1:3-12  Still, they needed to not forget their accomplishments were only possible because of Christ Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Re: those who hear & understand the gospel… cp. 1:5-6  …God delivers them from the domain of Satan and translates them into the kingdom of His Son 1:13  Comparable to Acts 2:47b  A good refutation of pre-millennialism Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Blessings in the complete Christ… Who He is 1:14-23 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete “In Him” we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins 1:14  A ransom…being bought or freed Eph 1:7 1 Pet 1:18-19

Blessings in the complete Christ… Who He is 1:14-23 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete “He is” the image of the invisible God 1:15a  To see Him = to see the Father Jn 14:8-10 Phil 2:6 1 Tim 3:16 Heb 1:3

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