Rooted in Christ – Colossians 1:1-8 Bible Study
Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8 (ESV)
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit."
Laying the Foundation:
Paul opens his letter to the Colossians with a deep encouragement and a subtle warning.
At this time, false teachers were creeping into the church, mixing human philosophy and religious tradition with Christianity. Instead of immediately confronting the errors, Paul begins by reinforcing the truth by reminding the Colossians of what they already have in Christ.
Before we jump into Paul’s correction in later chapters, we need to ask ourselves: Am I truly rooted in Christ, or am I blending in cultural ideas that weaken the gospel?
1. Paul’s Authority & Our Identity (v.1-2)
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father."
Apostle (ἀπόστολος, apostolos) – This word means "one who is sent with authority." In Jewish culture, an apostle carried the full weight of the one who sent them. Paul isn’t just an ordinary messenger. He’s sent by Jesus Himself to proclaim truth.
By the will of God – Paul didn’t choose this role; God chose him. This reminds us that our calling isn’t based on our qualifications, but on God’s sovereign plan.
Saints (ἅγιοι, hagioi) – This means "holy ones, set apart." Every believer in Christ is a saint, not because of our behavior, but because of God’s grace.
Faithful (πιστοῖς, pistois) – This means "trustworthy, steadfast." The Colossians weren’t perfect, but they were holding onto Christ despite the false teachings around them.
Grace (χάρις, charis) – More than just God’s favor, this word refers to His active power working in our lives.
Peace (εἰρήνη, eirēnē) – This is more than calm feelings; it means wholeness, being reconciled to God.
Verse Explanation:
Paul starts by establishing who he is (an apostle by God’s will) and who they are (saints, faithful, set apart). Before correcting false teachings, he grounds them in their identity.
Reflection: Do you live as someone set apart for God, or are you blending into the culture?
2. The Evidence of True Faith (v.3-5)
"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven."
Faith (πίστις, pistis) – Biblical faith isn’t just believing. It’s complete trust that results in action.
Love (ἀγάπη, agapē) – This is sacrificial, selfless love that prioritizes others.
Hope (ἐλπίς, elpis) – Unlike worldly hope (wishful thinking), this means confident expectation. It’s a secure reality, not just a desire.
Verse Explanation:
Paul commends them for three things:
Faith in Christ – Not faith in a system or faith in good works, but faith in a person.
Love for the saints – True faith produces genuine love for fellow believers.
Hope in heaven – Their hope was stored up in heaven, meaning it was secure and unshakable.
Paul is teaching a deep truth here: Faith produces love, and love is sustained by hope. If we struggle to love others, it might be because we’ve lost sight of our hope in Christ.
Heart Check:
Is your faith in Christ visible to others?
Are you truly loving fellow believers, even when it’s inconvenient?
Is your hope set on heaven, or are you distracted by earthly worries?
3. The Gospel That Transforms (v.5-6)
"Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing..."
Gospel (εὐαγγέλιον, euangelion) – This means "good news," but in Roman culture, it referred to a royal announcement of victory. Paul is reminding them: Jesus is King, and His gospel is unstoppable.
Bearing fruit (καρποφοροῦν, karpophoroun) – This word describes a tree producing fruit naturally—because the gospel is alive and active.
Increasing (αὐξανόμενον, auxanomenon) – This means to grow, to spread. The gospel wasn’t just a local message—it was transforming the world.
Verse Explanation:
Paul reminds them: The gospel isn’t just information. It’s transformation. The same gospel that saved them was actively changing lives across the world.
Reflection:
Is the gospel still bearing fruit in your life?
Are you sharing the gospel so it continues to increase?
4. Discipleship & Growth (v.7-8)
"Just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf."
Learned (μανθάνω, manthanō) – This means "to be discipled, to absorb truth." The Colossians didn’t just hear the gospel. They were trained in it.
Faithful (πιστός, pistos) – Again, faithfulness is the mark of true belief.
Minister (διάκονος, diakonos) – This means servant. True ministry isn’t about status. It’s about faithfully serving others.
Verse Explanation:
Paul highlights Epaphras, a local believer who taught them the gospel. He wasn’t famous. He was faithful.
Challenge:
Who has discipled you in your faith? Have you thanked them?
Who are you discipling?
Final Challenge: What Is Your Faith Producing?
Paul’s introduction challenges us:
Does your faith in Christ lead to love?
Is your hope anchored in eternity?
Is the gospel still bearing fruit in your life?
If someone wrote a letter about your faith, what would they say?
Come back tomorrow as we continue to grow our faith through the book of Colossians!
