Colossians 3:20 — As we continue our study of the Household Code we come to the command addressed to children. In this short lesson we consider Paul’s instruction in light of God’s Law and the example of God’s Son. Jesus “learned obedience” and it was difficult, just as it is for children today!
Colossians 3:19 — “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” This was a very unusual command in the Greco-Roman world of the First Century. Pederasty and prostitution flourished in these ancient societies. It was not uncommon for a man to have a wife but also to engage in these sexual practices. So…
Colossians 3:18 — “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands…” This is not a very popular command in our world today. It is seen by many as demeaning and oppressive to women. This is due, in part, to a misunderstanding of this text and even its abuse. This Biblical principle is not a licence for male chauvinism.…
Colossians 3:18-4:1 — The household code that Paul gives in this section of his epistle raises a number of significant issues for the 21st Century reader. Many are uncomfortable with the idea of submission within marriage, and what do we do with instructions given to slaves? How do we understand this teaching in light of…
Colossians 3:17 — Ethical questions are those that concern right and wrong. In any given situation what is the “right” thing to do? As Christians, what is the basis for our ethics? How do we determine what is right and what is wrong? How do our ethics relate to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? These…
Colossians 3:16 — In Ephesians chapter five, all Christians are commanded to be “filled with the Spirit.” What does this mean? How does it happen? What are the results? These are the questions we consider in this lesson and we’re greatly helped in answering them by what Paul wrote to the Colossians. Understanding the filling of…
Colossians 3:16 — “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Singing in corporate worship has become a very controversial issue in evangelical circles over the last 30-40 years. There’s even…
Colossians 3:16 — “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…” How were the Colossians to put this command into practice? What “word” did they have? What “songs” did they sing? These are interesting questions and they help…
Colossians 3:15 — “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…” Peace is essential to our wellbeing and yet it’s something we often fail to experience. Perhaps this is because we don’t understand how the Bible talks about peace, or how it is we come to know that peace within our own hearts. In…
Colossians 3:14 — “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Love is the fountainhead of authentic Christian virtue. That’s what Paul teaches us in this text as he brings to a close his discussion of the “new man” and his “new clothes.” Without love, our efforts to exercise the Christian…