Posts

Christ Is the Image of God

  Christ Is the Image of God   Colossians 1:15 states, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." 2 Corinthians 4:4 also speaks of the image of God: "In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." God created the first man to manifest Himself in the likeness (image) of a sinner. The first man is the image of God. God is a Being without form; "image" here signifies a body, akin to a garment. For God to "wear a body" means He came clothed in a physical body. The first man came into existence when God Himself entered the dust and became a human being, in order to impart a body of sin to mankind. The first man was created in the image of God, yet he possesses a body of sin. Thus, it is Jesus who came in the flesh to break the chains of that body of sin. Both the first man and Jesus repr...
Post a Comment
Read more

We have obtained redemption, that is, the forgiveness of sins.

  We have obtained redemption, that is, the forgiveness of sins.   Colossians 1:13 – 14: "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." In the phrase "redemption, that is, the forgiveness of sins," the word "that is" (or "namely") does not imply that redemption and the forgiveness of sins are synonymous; rather, it suggests a sequence — meaning that redemption must occur first for the forgiveness of sins to be received. Here, "redemption" refers to the concept of "atonement" (or "covering") found in Leviticus 4:20: "He shall do with this bull just as he did with the bull for the sin offering, and the priest shall make atonement for the congregation, and they shall be forgiven." When describing the five types of sacrifices, the text invariably concludes with the phrase "make atonement.....
Post a Comment
Read more

Bearing fruit in every good work

  Bearing fruit in every good work   Colossians 1:1 – 3: "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints in Colossae, the faithful brothers in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you." The word *Theou* (God) appearing without an article here refers to Christ. *Dia* ( δι ὰ ) means "through." Thus, it signifies "through the will of Christ." This defines what an apostle is: one who is aligned with the will of Christ. Ultimately, Christ's will is the proclamation of the Gospel. "Saints" refers to those who are in Christ. Paul had heard about the members of the Colossian church; as a church established by laypeople, it lacked a firmly established identity regarding the faith and faced frequent attacks from heretics. Consequently, Paul prays that they may attain a complete and mature faith. Colossians 1:4...
Post a Comment
Read more

Since Christ Lives by the Power of God

  Since Christ Lives by the Power of God   2 Corinthians 13:4 – 5: "For Christ was crucified in weakness (*ex astheneias*), yet He lives by the power of God (*ek dyname ō s*). For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith (*t ē pistei*); test yourselves. Do you not know (*epigin ō skete*) for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified (*adokimoi*)." *Ex astheneias* signifies being in a state of weakness; it implies that Jesus existed in a frail human body. The resurrection speaks of an event brought about by the power of God. *Ek dyname ō s* means "by the power." To enter into Christ, one must be united with Jesus Christ, who died on the cross in weakness; those who are in Christ are united with *ho Logos* (the Word), who was resurrected by that power. Salvation is not something that occurs only after the flesh dies and resurrectio...
Post a Comment
Read more