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  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...

  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...

  The Third Heaven and Satan ’ s Thorn   2 Corinthians 12:1 – 4: "It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." Paul experienced the third heaven, which he described as Paradise. He underwent a mysterious experience that defies human description. 2 Corinthians 12:7 – 9: "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from ...

  He is a man who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago.   2 Corinthians 12:1 – 4: "It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to speak." The Apostle Paul faced criticism from the Corinthian believers. Had he been enraged by their betrayal, he could have ruthlessly attacked them in his letters; instead, he consistently expressed his love and concern for them. From chapter 10 through verse 18 of chapter 12, he explains various situations by comparing himself to the false teachers who had led the congregation astray. His motivation wa...