An Exegesis Of Colossians 3 12 17 Religion Essay

An Exegesis Of Colossians 3 12 17 Religion Essay penetrationIn society there be innumerous encounters and engagements between messiahians and non- messiahian daily, somewhat of these encounters ar religious in nature the differents are secular. The ch onlyenge to the delivererian is to continuously exercise the commandment or requirements that graven image revealed via the prophet Micah to do what is right, to love mercy, and to straits humbly with your matinee idol (Micah 68, NLT).1The elements for living a h wholly told in altogetherowed bearing are non difficult and they are not exhaustive however, because of so many different interpretations uncommitted to the deliverymanian commentators, congregants and students, there is a high prob talent that confusion will reign in the minds of many. thither are myriad schoolings available to the Christian that are full of error, personal interpretations, non-Christian agendas and false teachings to name a few, that will l ead to inappropriate application of biblical principles that will not properly represent Christ in the Christian ambassadorship to each separate and to the world.Following this further, living a Blessed life is a requirement for all Christians and the instruction for how to live holy is imperative companionship for the Christian. Colossians 312-17 is an excellent generator of instructions for Christian living. The passage asserts that matinee idol chose Christians to be a holy people. It stands to reason that He agented alimentation to help Christians reach that goal.The passage presents several(prenominal) principles for instructing the Christian how to exhibit him or herself as a spokesperson of Christ. The exegesis of this passage will disclose if the principles are applicable to the contemporary earshot as it were to the cowcatcher audience or if there is time driven deviation that renders it less alludeful for modern application.Setting/Historical rangeIn dedicate to comprehend the con textbook of Colossians 312-17 it is important to have background in earnation for the lay everywhere in which it was written. capital of Minnesotas penned intervention had to hypothecate his understanding of the Colossians worldview. It was a worldview that was eclectic and problematic. Its multiculturalism created a challenge for a church building service leader who was not measured and or educated in true Christian doctrines and its applicability.Paul is the author of the permitter to the Colossians, he has the authority to write an account of holy living because of his conversion and life experiences. His chronicle prior to his conversion on the road to Damascus and his experiences that trained him as an apostle to the Gentiles equipped him with the wisdom and knowledge for teaching and instructing.His pre-apostolic days begin with him being born into and raised in a prominent Jewish-Roman family. He is from the tribe of Benjamin which is where he obt ained his name Saul, only when his Roman name is Paul. He was circumcised on the octonary day in accordance with the law he was afforded the opportunity to be educated in the Hellenic rhetoric as well as Hebrew.2Paul was a student of Gamaliel (Acts 534) who was the grandson of Hillel and superstar of sevensome scholars to obtain the title Rabban which means our master.3The church in Colossae was composed of Jews and Gentiles which created a culture of syncretism, mixing Jewish legalism, with Greek speculation and the mysticism of the Orient.4The urban center of Colossae was a major city located on the Lycus River with handiness to trade r offes. It was downgraded to a secondary city by the first century A.D. Colossae was a neighboring city to Laodicea and Hierapolis each city was approximately 10 miles from Colossae.5The church at Colossae received the gospel from Epaphras, a diversify from the church in Ephesus he urged Paul, who was in prison in Ephesus, to write a letter to Colossae to steer heretical issues that were plaguing the church in Colossae regarding its battle with heresy which was creating disruption in churches all over the westerly portion of Asia Minor.6Although, Paul never visited the city of Colossae, he was aware of the heretical tactual sensation that swept the region. equivalent its neighbors, Colossae was infiltrated by a mixture of pagan doctrines influenced by pre-Gnosticism that regarded the clay as evil to promote phantasmal/non-material items as superior human form, known as mystical wisdom. The pagan influence led to questions astir(predicate) the Nazarene having a physical bole as an ordinary man, error in esteeming angels, and proclaimed that salvation was the result of knowledge rather than faith.7There is contention that Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians from Rome and that it was delivered to the church by Tychicus during the early 60s. This is supported by those who refer to 47-8 as the reason for choo sing Rome over Ephesus and Tychicus over Epaphras.8Analysis of Colossians 312-17The Colossians comfort with pluralism subjected them to vulnerability in achieving solidarity in understanding and incorporating the doctrines of their new Christian faith. Their misadventure to comprehend the true essence of Christ and his personage as well as exclusiveness of Christianity revealed their want for intervention from maven of authority in the doctrines much(prenominal) as an apostle in the faith.Therefore, Pauls letter to the Church of Colossae was obligatory to substantiate the tenets of the faith and to emphasize as well as educate the new Christians regarding the expectations of their lives as Christian. Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles and it is incumbent upon him to respond to the needs of the Colossians as they struggle to manifest their faith and its tenets according to their understanding.Pauls letter is an instructional guide as well as being comprised of words of encourag ement. Chapter 3 and verses 12 through 17 describes to the new Christians how they are new creatures in Christ. He reaffirms that Christ is deity in bodily form and the supreme head of the church (115-23). He too warns against false teaching and calls for the rejection of it. He further instructs them on how to live holy (Chapter 3).More specifically, Colossians 312-17 concentrates on two main ideas matchless idea focuses on how to live holy as an person and as a member of the body of Christ and the early(a) focuses on holy living as an individual and as a collective member of the body of Christ.The tools used to explore passage 312-17 are the King James Version (KJV), the late planetary Version (NIV), the New International Readers Version (NIRV), The Message (MSG) and the New alive Translation (NLT) volumes, along with The New Analytical Greek Lexicon (The Lexicon), The Greek English Interlinear New Testament (The Interlinear) and Strongs Strongest Exhaustive Concordance o f the Bible (Strongs) with various commentaries.Colossians 312-14Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering forbearing one another, and exonerative one another, if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of spotlession.In verse 12 holy living entails more than a confession or conversion experience, it regards a change in lifestyle. The Interlinear uses put on (endysasthe) in the active continuous form accenting that Christians must continuously display Gods characteristics which manifests his holiness. They are manifested as mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, and longsuffering. The Message says, Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you. Its rendition offers that these characteristics are not natural human characteristics therefore, it requires action on the part of the individual and is att ainable with the guidance of God. In the KJV, the word bowels (splagchna) are used The Lexicon defines it as the heart or affections of the heart, consequence these qualities must come from within. By separating the characteristics by commas the KJV, NIV and the NLT indicate that each of the characteristics is part of a whole. However, the NIVR presents them in double sentences to demonstrate them as definitive commands. The NLT renders that the Christian should demonstrate holy living by being dress in tenderhearted mercy which is a translation for compassion (oiktirmou), kindness(chrestoteta), humility(tapeinophrosyne), lenience for meekness(prauteta), and patience as longsuffering(makrothymian) these are acts that God has show towards us. Bruce Buoton describes the characteristics of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as imitations of Gods acts towards man.9In verse 13 holy living is explored further, here all Christians are required to forgive o ne another because Christ has forgiven (charixomenoi) them. misery to forgive others whom God has forgiven results in suffering. Robert E. Wall expressed that the holy response (to any offense) prompted by bedeck is to forgive. . .We forgive because we are already forgiven, we secure Gods forgiveness by forgiving others.10Forgiving allows the Christian to bide the offenses of others and to act in their behalf for their benefit.Forgiveness is essential in Christian growth, fellowship and manifestation. It is one of the characteristics of God that allows Christians to practise him without necessarily displaying overt actions. The act of forgiving is a sign that the Christian is maturing as a Christian.In verse 14 love is exhorted above all the other characteristics and is determined to be the virtue that bonds all the characteristics together. It is impossible to live a holy life without love, The MSG expresses, And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It is your all purp ose garment. Never be without it. All of the aforementioned translations agree on loves ability to make the other virtues possible, for instance the NLT interprets the verse as, Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect unity. The Greek word for bond (sydesmos) in The Lexicon is described as bundle or connection. It is used in the very(prenominal) way in Ephesians 43 make every effort to keep the unity of the living through the bond of stillness (NIV). Love is the adhesiveness that unites all the virtues it is joined in significance by the virtue of peace.Colossians 315-17And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and reprimanding one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, render with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving t hanks to God and the Father by him.When the Christian has select the characteristics in verses 12-14 and internalized them, a notable change should be evident by familiar observers. Holiness should be readily manifested and perceivable.One of the key words in verse 15 is the word rule. The Interlinear, shows rule is derived from let arbitrate (brabeutw) in all of the translations besides The MSG. The MSG converts the Greek into in tune. . .in step with each other. Pauls familiarity with the word, in accordance with The Lexicon, would have been umpire, or someone who governs a conflict. The Colossians would have understood keeping the peace as tantamount to resolving conflicts.11The MSG emphasis is the body of Christ unified (swma(i))as it addresses the meaning of the verse. It emphasizes every collective decision and action that comes from the community will have the character of peace if all members stay in tune and/or in step with each other.12Furthermore, verse 15 exhorts Christ ians to be thankful (euchiaristoi) or mindful of the benefits13if being part of the body of Christ. Strongs Concordance clarifies thankful as in mind and office which enhances the spiritual well-being concerted with the physical well-being of the individual and the body of Christ.14Verse 16 moves the reader or Christian to the command to teach and admonish one another in wisdom (sophia) which has both(prenominal) divine and secular connotations, according to Strong however, Pauls inclination was a reference to Christian enlightenment as found in 1 Corinthians 128.15There is variance between The MSG which declares this virtue or command to mean use common sense, whereas, the NLT state Teach and counsel one another with all the wisdom he gives. Verse 16 iterates to Christians to exercise the virtues of holy living and to continuously communicate that to one another. The emphasis is that when God enlightens a person that person is qualified to exercise authority to teach and admonis h others.Each member of the body of Christ is called to model the holiness demonstrated by Christ. In order to imitate his model the individual must have the Spirit of God residing inside of him, moreover, the Spirit of God can only dwell in the individual if the that individual lives a life of holiness. The Interlinear text uses let dwell (enoiketw) in the imperfect tense in verse sixteen. It is used to demonstrate that Christs spirit within the heart first occurred when the individual demanded Christ as Lord it is an action that is present and ongoing.The other aspect of verse 16 includes the singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. The MSG says sing your hearts out to God whereas the NIV, NIRV and NLT render the concept as to sing with thankfulness. The KJV links both sections of verse 16 as a single action, meaning that the singing and teaching are synonymous to praise and admonishing. Also, the singing of the songs, spirituals and hymns with rejoicing and thanksgiving di splay to others that the Spirit of Christ dwells within. When Christs spirit dwell within the Christian then Christ rules the heart and life and the person is authorized to teach and admonish because it is accommodating the Spirit of Christ.Verse 17 mandates that whatever and whichever virtue the Christian manifests, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus with thanks to God and the Father through him. The primary right of living a holy life is for the glory of God. In concert, the verses 12-17 equip the Christian with guidance and instructions to live a holy life within the ability of the Christians and in response to Pauls exhortation in Romans 121-2.ApplicationsThe worldview has crept into the church and some of the moral authority of the church has come into question because of the level of tolerance experienced by the church today. Tolerance is not a negative thing, but there are mandates such as notable in the Ten Commandments that restricts some tolerations.The behaviors exhibit ed by a large number of highly visible Christians (not just renowned ministers) in their lives denote that holy living has been compromised. There are denominations that allow loose abominations to exercise the office of pastors and ministers, such as ordaining homo braceual ministers and subjecting Christians in need of guidance, teaching and admonishing to their authority. Equally compromising is the congregations that outwardly support and accept this deviancy.The modern society in First World countries is replete with narcissism, public acceptance of vulgarity (as demonstrated in music and audio-visual media)and Christian lifestyle has become compartmentalized. Applying the principles or virtues found in the passage of Colossians 312-17 in todays society should be exceptionally easy because of the communications capabilities that are available such as the internet, satellites, cell phones and public forums. These identical forums are used to counter the work of the church emph atically.The Church has to do as Paul and the other apostles and early Christians did in building up the faith and the church. It must take up it doctrines at every opportunity and do not settle for a small corner to gripe from. It must begin within the body of Christ first. The church must hold Christians accountable for their behaviors that are compromised and encourage them in the behaviors that exemplify the virtues found in the passage. Heads of households must take the responsibility of their family religious precept in the home environment and not allow worship and services to be a sunshine eccentric only. Holiness must become a lifestyle it must be exhorted within the body of Christ community first and then missioned to the rest of the world. Music must be acceptable, television and other media must adhere to family value by presenting wholesome entertainment.Finally, each Christian has to develop the attitude to teach one, reach one so that no Christian is left behind. T he children must be taught Christian values at home without compromise. Most importantly, Christian hearts must be governed by Christ and love given to God. There needs to be a campaign to teach and encourage each Christian to exert the virtues of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering/patience, forgiveness and love. Each church should have an education plan to initiate and take hold such a campaign.ConclusionThe Bible is composed of mandates, laws and principles for Christian living that is sometimes explicitly clear such as You must not murder. (Exodus 2013), and some not so evident such as And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. (Colossians 315). There are several translations of the Bible that create debate within the Christian community and sometimes result in polemical applications in some aspects, such as Exodus 2013 rendered in the New Living Translation as You shall not murder. whereas in the King James Version it is rendered T hou shall not kill. The impact of the two different wordings has affected the secular arena as well as the religious one. Abortions, military wartime service and the death penalty are three of the subjects associated with controversy regarding both editions of the verse.Avoiding confusion and controversy is not always possible, there are passages in the Bible that are not just principles but also instruct the Christian how to live. A law or situation is not necessarily transferrable from the background known to the original audience to the conditions and situations in modern times some applications are situational and time sensitive.The instructions are clear and applicable to life situations for the environment of the original audience or for the contemporary audience. sometimes they are applicable to both audiences but there must be some parallel but not necessarily the same conditions present. The examination of the words of Paul in Colossians 312-17 reveals there are instructi ons that are clear and applicable for holy living and they migrate across the time spectrum from the original audience through the contemporary audience.Living a holy life is mandatory for Christians and necessary to enthrall God. It is the Christian responsibility to present God to the world, the passage aforementioned provides instructions and guidance for execution.How the Christian lives should reflect what he or she believes in accordance with the conditions set forth by the applicable Scriptures. The Christian walk should parallel the Christian talk. As a member of the body of Christ the modern Christian incurs the responsibility to teach and admonish fellow Christians as needed. He and she have the advantage of hindsight as well as the principles denoted in the passage 312-17 to aid and assist their growth and development as productive Christians with the same urgency and proficiency of the early Christians.AppendixBlock DiagramColossians 312-17 (NIV)12Therefore, as Gods cho sen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.ThereforeAs Gods chosen peopleHoly and dearly lovedClothe yourselvesWith compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.Bear with each otherAnd Forgive whatever grievancesYou may have against one another.Forgive as the Lord forgave you.And Put on love over all these virtuesWhich binds them all together in perfect unity.15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.Let the peace of Christ rule in your heartsMembers of one body (Since As)You were called to peace.AndBe thankful.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richlyAs you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songsWith gratitude in your hearts to God.AndWhatever you do(Whether) in word or deedDo it all in the name of the Lord JesusGiving thanks to GodThe Father through Him.Sunday School Lesson for AdultsColossians 312-17 Focus verse Colossians 313Introduction Forgiveness-As for volunteers to read each verse.-Give an illustration of a marital event that requires forgiveness although it is very difficult to do.Why do we forgive?Definition of forgivenessExplanation deal focus verse and Gods command to forgiveInquiry- Have class name times/situations that they have do something wrong and how they felt.Bearing with one another/ Ways to forgive.Explanation We are to forgive others because God forgive s us refer back to verse. Explain how the husband is a formula of God and wife is a reflection of the sinner.Demonstration- Two class members will act out scenarios followed by brief discussion of the incidents-inappropriate conversations with the opposite sex-meeting someone other than the spouse for friendly night outApplication- Have class name situations in which they/others should be forgiven and how to do so. Reiterate the passage that emphasizes that God forgave us first.Illustration- Finish story with husband forgiving wife due to her sincere apology. Re-emphasize how God forgives us and we should forgive others.Conclusion We are to want forgiveness and forgive others because God forgives us.-Review of passage focus verse. Allow for questions/comments.-Prayer asking God to forgive us for our sins and help to forgive others.-Song.