I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
This chapter begins with a long sentence that goes on for three verses. Note the mention of Laodicea which suggests that the letter concerns more than just the situation in Colossae itself but involves other cities in the Lycus Valley region. The first verse here tells us that Paul is not personally well known in the area. They seem to have been evangelized mainly by Epaphras. The point here is that Paul (and his followers) are not interested only in the churches they founded but in the entire Christian community, even those he has never visited. He cares for all the Church since each part is connected.
There is a real preoccupation with the apostolic succession in Colossians. Margaret MacDonald has explained that: “Christ represents God; Paul represents Christ; Paul’s fellow workers represent Paul.” In this way, the knowledge of the faith is carried on through time. Once again this shows the absence of Paul, either through prison or death. Unlike in Romans, he never promises to visit the Colossians. In his absence, his assistants use his name to reinforce their authority.
In verse two, the author expresses the goal of the letter which is to encourage them “in heart” and unite them “in love”. Remember that in ancient times, the heart was not primarily considered the seat of emotions but of thought, which explains why heart and love are not together. This encouragement and unity will lead to greater knowledge of the mystery of God which is Christ. There is some equivalence made here between Christ and God (important for the development of the doctrine of the Trinity). But, perhaps even more importantly, there is the idea, as Margaret MacDonald puts it that “Christ is God’s revealed mystery” – and what Christ reveals is how much God loves us and cares for us.
In the next verse we see that “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in the mystery of God, and thus in Christ. This suggests that only those who know Christ have true knowledge and that he is the only real treasure. Everything the Colossians are seeking can be found in him; there is no need for anything else. That is also something we need to remember today.
Then the author returns to the false teachers, insisting that the gospel as preached by Paul and his followers should protect them against deception. Rhetoric and good speaking skills were highly valued in the ancient world, and the author warns against paying too much attention to smooth orators and false apostles. How a person behaves reveals much more about them than what they say.
Finally, the author (whether actually Paul or not) refers to the apostle’s absence. As we have seen, Paul’s absence hangs over this letter and Ephesians. However, the author tells us that he is still spiritually present (as Paul is for us today). An alternative understanding of this verse is that the apostle is present because of the Holy Spirit who is the basis of unity within the community. In Romans 8:9-11, Paul effectively equates the Spirit, God and Christ and that being in Christ and being in Spirit are the same.
Marcus Maxwell points out an important fact here that should guide our actions as well. Paul (or his surrogate) has written this letter to combat false teachers, but note his method: “Paul is not writing to condemn or destroy. He is writing to encourage and build up.” He never attacks the Colossians nor says they are not true Christians. This is an important point that contemporary Christians should keep in mind.
In the final verse here, the author writes of how he is pleased that, although perturbed by the new teaching, the community in Colossae has not been thrown into confusion. He uses a military image here (translated as “discipline” in the NIV) which in Greek was also used for troops holding their formation in battle.
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