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COLOSSIANS - Christ in you, the hope of glory!
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Colossians

Part 1 - The Foundations of Christian Faith (Colossians 1:1-29)

7. The Suffering of Paul for his Churches and the Mystery of the Gospel (Colossians 1:23c-29)


Colossians 1:28-29
28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; 29 for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.

How Paul Spread the Mystery of the Gospel

Paul continued on in his letter, assuring the Colossians that he and his co-workers preached no other message than the glorified and almighty Jesus, who indwells His praying followers and makes them into true men and women through obedience to the faith. The apostle stressed that he admonished all he met with his message, so that they not, thoughtlessly and without hope, rush toward death and judgment. Perhaps he warned them that they were truly rushing toward the raging flames of hell if they did not quickly turn to Christ their Saviour. He taught, with all wisdom, all those he met who expressed interest, answering their questions, while leading them into the depth of the riches of the grace of Christ. His goal remained to lead every person into the perfection of the Messiah Jesus. Paul thereby testified that he and his team gave all effort to present every follower of Christ perfect in Biblical love, humility, joy, and in the peace of God. Such an existential transformation cannot happen through education, training or other human methods, but can only be realized through the power of the Spirit of Jesus. As soon as a person begins living in Jesus he receives a portion of His perfection. Wherever Jesus indwells a person, the Spirit of Jesus impels him to obey and fulfil His commands: “Therefore you also shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48).

This program of evangelization sounds good, but looks very different in reality. Just as Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord, so Paul wrestled with Jesus till one after the other of those spoken to were saved. Preaching demands hard spiritual work, under the leading of the Spirit of Truth, accompanied by prayer, faith, love, patience, hope, and, - when necessary, through fasting on the part of those whom Jesus has called (Luke 24:46-47; John 20:22-23). Paul wrote of a spiritual wrestling and battling against hereditary factors, evil forces, and depression amidst difficult situations. This battle is not fought in our own power, but in the power of the victorious Christ, who manifests Himself in great strength in every one of His servants who submits totally to Him. The power is not in one´s own self, but alone in the name of Jesus. These are those who confess to the victory of faith with the poet, Friedrich Adolf Krummacher:

“Nothing have I to bring
You alone, Lord, are everything!”

Prayer: Lord of all lords, we praise You that Your servant Paul evangelized all whom he met. He admonished and taught them in order to be able to present them perfect before You. Help us to spiritually wrestle and pray for our friends and acquaintances. Help us to be able to give them the right words at the right time. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Question 29: Why are many Christians silent before other people, not testifying to them of their Saviour and His salvation? What are you doing for Jesus, and what aren´t you doing?

Test One: Self-evaluation for Knowedge of the Book of Colossians

Dear reader:
Whoever can answer 24 of the 30 questions correctly and send us his answers, will receive, free of charge, another spiritual book from us designed for the strengthening of love, faith and hope:

  1. What are the special features of Paul´s Letter to the Colossians?
  2. What was the most important event in the life of Paul and how did it impact him and his proclamation?
  3. Why is “Christ” not the name, but the official title of Jesus? What does this title mean?
  4. What does the name “Jesus” mean to you?
  5. Why could Paul say that he had not been called of man, but called and sent of God?
  6. Who was Timothy and how was he co-responsible for the Letter to the Colossians?
  7. Who is holy and how can we become active brothers and sisters in Christ?
  8. What does the phrase “grace to you” mean in the New Testament?
  9. What is special about the peace of Christ?
  10. Why are we justified in confessing: “The Almighty God is our Father?
  11. What does the title “Lord” mean for us when applied to Jesus Christ?
  12. Why did the apostle and his team continually offer thanks for the Church in Colosse?
  13. Where is it written that the “love of God” has been poured out in our hearts? Is this witness also true for you?
  14. What is the “most certain hope” of Christians composed of?
  15. What does the word gospel (evangelion) mean?
  16. What fruit does the gospel create in believing readers?
  17. Who evangelized the Church in Colosse and what methods did this man use? What title of honour did Paul apply to him?
  18. What was the most urgent prayer request of Paul for the Colossians?
  19. How can you live worthily before God?
  20. How did Christ save us from the power of darkness?
  21. What do the words of Jesus mean: “Whoever sees Me, sees the Father”?
  22. What does the testimony of the Bible mean when it says that Christ created the world in harmony with His Father?
  23. What does the confession of Paul mean when he said that Christ created everything that is in heaven and earth and that he is the owner of the universe?
  24. Do you still live for the will of your own heart or have you submitted yourself to your spiritual Head?
  25. What does it mean that in Christ dwells “all fullness” and that His blood cleanses us from all sin?
  26. How can we be strengthened and made firm through our faith in Jesus?
  27. Why are our sufferings in Jesus´ name at the same time His sufferings?
  28. How does the almighty Son of God take up eternal dwelling in mortal men?
  29. Why are many Christians silent before other people, not testifying to their Saviour and His salvation? What are you doing for Jesus or not doing?
  30. What was it in reading and meditating over the first chapter of the letter to the Colossians that especially struck you?

Dear reader: Please do not neglect to write your full address at the beginning or the end of the test paper you send in. Otherwise we will not be able to send you another book as a reward.

Waters of Life
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Therefore whoever confesses Me before men,
him I will also confess before My Father who
is in heaven.
But whoever denies Me before men, him I will
also deny before My Father who is in heaven

(Matt. 10:32-33)

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