Scofield Reference Bible Notes/Colossians

by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield

Book Introduction - Colossians

Read first chapter of Colossians
WRITER: The Apostle Paul (Colossians 1:1)
DATE: Colossians was sent by the same messenger who bore Ephesians and Philemon, and was probably written at the same time.
THEME: Epaphras, who laboured in the Word in the assembly at Colosse, was Paul's fellow-prisoner at Rome. Doubtless from him Paul learned the state of that church. As to fundamentals that state was excellent ( 1:3-8), but in a subtle way two forms of error were at work: The first was legality in its Alexandrian form of asceticism, "touch not, taste not," with a trace of the Judaic observance of "days"; the object of which was the mortification of the body (cf Romans 8:13). The second form of error was false mysticism, "intruding into those things which he hath not seen"--the result of philosophic speculation. Because these are ever present perils, Colossians was written, not for that day only, but for the warning of the church in all days.
The Epistle is in seven divisions:

• Introduction1:1-8
• The apostolic prayer1:9-14
• The exaltation of Christ, Creator, Redeemer, Indweller1:15-29
• The Godhead incarnate in Christ, in whom the believer is complete. 2:1-23.
• The believer's union with Christ in resurrection life and glory3:1-4
• Christian living, the fruit of union with Christ, 3:5-4:6
• Christian fellowship, 4:7-18

CHAPTER 1

Verse 6

grace
Grace (in salvation). vs. 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Romans 3:24. (See Scofield "John 1:17").

Verse 14

redemption
(See Scofield "Romans 3:24").

Verse 21

reconciled
Reconciliation. The Greek word signifies "to change thoroughly from," and occurs, Romans 5:10; 11:15; 1 Corinthians 7:11; 2 Corinthians 5:18,19,20. Reconciliation looks toward the effect of the death of christ upon man, as propitiation (See Scofield "Romans 3:25") , is the Godward aspect, and is that effect of the death of Christ upon the believing sinner which, through divine power, works in him a "thorough change" toward God from enmity and aversion to love and trust. It is never said that God is reconciled. God is propitiated, the sinner reconciled (cf) 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.

Verse 26

mystery
(See Scofield "Matthew 13:11").

Verse 27

mystery (See Scofield "Matthew 13:11").
Christ (See Scofield "Ephesians 4:24").

Verse 28

perfect (See Scofield "Matthew 5:48").

CHAPTER 2

Verse 2

mystery of God
The "mystery of God" is Christ, as incarnating the fulness of the Godhead, and all the divine wisdom and knowledge for the redemption and reconciliation of man.
mystery (See Scofield "Matthew 13:11").
and of The best authorities omit "and of the Father, and of Christ."

Verse 8

world
kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Matthew 4:8").

Verse 11

the sins of
Omit "the sins of."

Verse 18

intruding into those things
The errorists against whom Paul warns the Colossians, and against whom, in principle, the warning has perpetual significance, were called "Gnostics," from gnosis, "knowledge." These Gnostics "came most keenly into conflict with the exalted rank and redeeming rank of Christ, to whom they did not leave His full divine dignity, but assigned to Him merely the highest rank in the order of spirits, while they exalted angels as concerned in bringing the Messianic salvation."--H.A.W. Meyer. Paul's characteristic word in Colossians for the divine revelation is epignosis, i.e. "full knowledge." Colossians 1:9,10; 3:10 as against the pretended "knowledge" of the errorists. The warnings apply to all extra-biblical forms, doctrines, and customs, and to all ascetic practices.
angels (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 20

world
kosmos = world-system. James 1:27; John 7:7. (See Scofield "Revelation 13:8").

Verse 23

not in any
Or, "which do not really honour God, but only satisfy the flesh" (i.e. by creating a reputation for superior sanctity).

CHAPTER 3

Verse 1

not in any
Or, "which do not really honour God, but only satisfy the flesh" (i.e. by creating a reputation for superior sanctity).

Verse 9

old man
(See Scofield "Romans 6:6").

Verse 10

created
(See Scofield "Ephesians 4:24").

Verse 14

perfectness
(See Scofield "Matthew 5:48").

Verse 15

God
God Christ.
rule See John 14:27; Romans 14:17; Philippians 4:7.

Verse 16

grace
Grace (imparted). vs. Colossians 4:6; Romans 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18.

CHAPTER 4

Verse 3

mystery
(See Scofield "Matthew 13:11").

Verse 6

grace
Grace (imparted). 2 Thessalonians 1:12; Romans 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18.

Verse 12

Epaphras
A touching illustration of priestly service, (See Scofield "1 Peter 2:9") as distinguished from ministry of gift. Shut up in prison, no longer able to preach, Epaphras was still, equally with all believers, a priest. No prison could keep him from the throne of grace, so he gave himself wholly to the priestly work of intercession.
perfect (See Scofield "Matthew 5:48").