Introduction to COLOSSIANS.

The Colossian Christians were a likable bunch. Paul hadn't met them, but he had been told that they were people of strong faith who loved one another. If they had ethical shortcomings, he didn't mention them. Yet Paul was worried about them. Perhaps they were just a bit too trusting: he had heard reports that made him fear they were falling for some decidedly un-Christian teachings.

Colossae was near a major trade route in Asia Minor, an area where many religions and philosophies flourished. As in twentyfirst-century America, much ancient religion was syncretistic. Rather than committing themselves to just one faith, people cobbled together belief systems based on what they found attractive in a variety of different approaches. Paul was afraid the Colossians might be diluting their Christian faith by mixing in elements of Judaism, gnosticism, paganism, and whatever other -ism was currently popular. He couldn't visit them and see for himself, because once again he was in prison. So instead he sent them this letter.

Before telling them of his fears, Paul reminds them of the heart of the Good News: "God has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves. His Son paid the price to free us, which means that our sins are forgiven" (1:13-14). He then quotes a Christian hymn that beautifully honors Christ, the Lord of all. Christ, and only Christ, "is the image of the invisible God," the creator of all things, eternally preexistent, the one who binds all things together, the first to conquer death (1:15-18).

After laying this foundation of faith, Paul gently warns the Colossians against syncretism. Don't try to mix your Christian faith with other religions, he advises. Trying to come to God by any other route-circumcision, food laws, festivals, the worship of angels, visions, asceticism-simply distracts from the Good News. "Christ is your life," and therefore their lives should be significantly different from lives that are not "hidden with Christ in God" (3:3-4). God has rescued them from the powers-angels and demons-who used to control them. As new persons, they should treat each other with love and respect in the church and in their homes. Rather than trying to achieve unity by blending a variety of practices from inadequate religions, they will find true unity in Christ alone.

Key Names of God in Colossians Spirit Son of God Father Christ Lord COLOSSIANS.

1 2 3 4.

Greeting 1 1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Yeshua by God's will, and from our brother Timothy.

2 To God's holy and faithful people, our brothers and sisters who are united with Christ in the city of Colossae.

Good willa and peace from God our Father are yours!

Paul's Prayer for the Colossians 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Yeshua Christ, in our prayers for you. 4 We thank God because we have heard about your faith in Christ Yeshua and your love for all of God's people. 5 You have these because of the hope which is kept safe for you in heaven. Some time ago you heard about this hope in the Good News which is the message of truth. 6 This Good News is present with you now. It is producing results and spreading all over the world as it did among you from the first day you heard it. At that time you came to know what God's kindnessb truly means. 7 You learned about this Good News from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant. He is taking your place here as a trustworthy deaconc for Christ 8 and has told us about the love that the Spirit has given you.

9 For this reason we have not stopped praying for you since the day we heard about you. We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through every kind of spiritual wisdom and insight. 10 We ask this so that you will live the kind of lives that prove you belong to the Lord. Then you will want to please him in every way as you grow in producing every kind of good work by this knowledge about God. 11 We ask him to strengthen you by his glorious might with all the power you need to patiently endure everything with joy. 12 You will also thank the Father, who has made you able to share the light, which is what God's people inherit.

What God Has Done Through Christ 13 God has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves. 14 His Son paid the price to free us, which means that our sins are forgiven.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

16 He created all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.

Whether they are kings or lords, rulers or powers- everything has been created through him and for him.

17 He existed before everything and holds everything together.

18 He is also the head of the church, which is his body.

He is the beginning, the first to come back to life so that he would have first place in everything.

19 God was pleased to have all of himself live in Christ. 20 God was also pleased to bring everything on earth and in heaven back to himself through Christ. He did this by making peace through Christ's blood sacrificed on the cross.

21 Once you were separated from God. The evil things you did showed your hostile attitude. 22 But now Christ has brought you back to God by dying in his physical body. He did this so that you could come into God's presence without sin, fault, or blame. 23 This is on the condition that you continue in faith without being moved from the solid foundation of the hope that the Good News contains. You've heard this Good News of which I, Paul, became a servant. It has been spread throughout all creation under heaven.

Paul Describes His Work 24 I am happy to suffer for you now. In my body I am completing whatever remains of Christ's sufferings. I am doing this on behalf of his body, the church. 25 I became a servant of the church when God gave me the work of telling you his entire message. 26 In the past God hid this mystery, but now he has revealed it to his people. 27 God wanted his people throughout the world to know the glorious riches of this mystery-which is Christ living in you, giving you the hope of glory.

28 We spread the message about Christ as we instruct and teach everyone with all the wisdom there is. We want to present everyone as mature Christian people. 29 I work hard and struggle to do this while his mighty power works in me.

2 1 I want you to know how hard I work for you, for the people of Laodicea, and for people I have never met. 2 Because they are united in love, I work so that they may be encouraged by all the riches that come from a complete understanding of Christ. He is the mystery of God. 3 God has hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ. 4 I say this so that no one will mislead you with arguments that merely sound good. 5 Although I'm absent from you physically, I'm with you in spirit. I'm happy to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

6 You received Christ Yeshua the Lord, so continue to live as Christ's people. 7 Sink your roots in him and build on him. Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught, and overflow with thanksgiving.

Beware of Requirements Invented by Humans 8 Be careful not to let anyone rob you of this faith through a shallow and misleading philosophy. Such a person follows human traditions and the world's way of doing things rather than following Christ.

9 All of God lives in Christ's body, 10 and God has made you complete in Christ. Christ is in charge of every ruler and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised. It was not a circumcision performed by human hands. But it was a removal of the corrupt nature in the circumcision performed by Christ. 12 This happened when you were placed in the tomb with Christ through baptism. In baptism you were also brought back to life with Christ through faith in the power of God,a who brought him back to life.

13 You were once dead because of your failures and your uncircumcised corrupt nature. But God made you alive with Christ when he forgave all our failures. 14 He did this by erasing the charges that were brought against us by the written laws God had established. He took the charges away by nailing them to the cross. 15 He stripped the rulers and authorities of their power and made a public spectacle of them as he celebrated his victory in Christ.

16 Therefore, let no one judge you because of what you eat or drink or about the observance of annual holy days, New Moon Festivals, or weekly worship days. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts the shadow belongs to Christ.

18 Let no one who delights in false humility and the worship of angels tell you that you don't deserve a prize. Such a person, whose sinful mind fills him with arrogance, gives endless details of the visions he has seen. 19 He doesn't hold on to Christ, the head. Christ makes the whole body grow as God wants it to, through support and unity given by the joints and ligaments.

20 If you have died with Christ to the world's way of doing things, why do you let others tell you how to live? It's as though you were still under the world's influence. 21 People will tell you, "Don't handle this! Don't taste or touch that!" 22 All of these things deal with objects that are only used up anyway. 23 These things look like wisdom with their self-imposed worship, false humility, and harsh treatment of the body. But they have no value for holding back the constant desires of your corrupt nature.

Live as God's People 3 1 Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above-where Christ holds the highest position. 2 Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things. 3 You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 Christ is your life. When he appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory.

5 Therefore, put to death whatever is worldly in you: your sexual sin, perversion, passion, lust, and greed (which is the same thing as worshiping wealth). 6 It is because of these sins that God's anger comes on those who refuse to obey him.b 7 You used to live that kind of sinful life. 8 Also get rid of your anger, hot tempers, hatred, cursing, obscene language, and all similar sins. 9 Don't lie to each other. You've gotten rid of the person you used to be and the life you used to live, 10 and you've become a new person. This new person is continually renewed in knowledge to be like its Creator. 11 Where this happens, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, uncivilized person, slave, or free person. Instead, Christ is everything and in everything.

12 As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly. 15 Also, let Christ's peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful. 16 Let Christ's word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about God's kindness.a Sing to God in your hearts. 17 Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Yeshua , giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Advice for Wives and Husbands, Parents and Children, Slaves and Masters 18 Wives, place yourselves under your husbands' authority.b This is appropriate behavior for the Lord's people. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and don't be harsh with them.

20 Children, always obey your parents. This is pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, don't make your children resentful, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, always obey your earthly masters. Don't obey them only while you're being watched, as if you merely wanted to please people. Be sincere in your motives out of respect for your real master. 23 Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you were working for your real master and not merely for humans. 24 You know that your real master will give you an inheritance as your reward. It is Christ, your real master, whom you are serving. 25 The person who does wrong will be paid back for the wrong he has done. God does not play favorites.

4 1 Masters, be just and fair to your slaves because you know that you also have a master in heaven.

Advice for All Christians 2 Keep praying. Pay attention when you offer prayers of thanksgiving. 3 At the same time also pray for us. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to speak the word so that we may tell the mystery about Christ. It is because of this mystery that I am a prisoner. 4 Pray that I may make this mystery as clear as possible. This is what I have to do.

5 Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside the Christian faith. Make the most of your opportunities.

6 Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.

Greetings from Paul and His Coworkers 7 I'm sending Tychicus to you. He is our dear brother, trustworthy deacon,c and partner in the Lord's work. He will tell you everything that is happening to me. 8 I'm sending him to you so that you may know how we are doing and so that he may encourage you. 9 I'm sending Onesimus with him. Onesimus is from your city and is our faithful and dear brother. They will tell you about everything that's happening here.

10 Aristarchus, who is a prisoner like me, sends greetings. So does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about Mark. If he comes to you, welcome him. 11 Jesus, called Justus, also greets you. They are the only converts from the Jewish religion who are working with me for God's kingdom. They have provided me with comfort. 12 Epaphras, a servant of Christ Yeshua from your city, greets you. He always prays intensely for you. He prays that you will continue to be mature and completely convinced of everything that God wants. 13 I assure you that he works hard for you and the people in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 My dear friend Luke, the physician, and Demas greet you. 15 Greet our brothers and sisters in Laodicea, especially Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

16 After you have read this letter, read it in the church at Laodicea. Make sure that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus to complete all the work that he started as the Lord's servant.

18 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember that I'm a prisoner. God's good willa be with you.

a 1:2 Or "Grace."

b 1:6 Or "grace."

c 1:7 English equivalent difficult.

a 2:12 Or "through faith produced by God."

b 3:6 Some manuscripts and translations omit "on those who refuse to obey him."

a 3:16 Or "grace."

b 3:18 English equivalent difficult.

c 4:7 English equivalent difficult.

a 4:18 Or "grace."

Introduction to 1 THESSALONIANS.

In AD 48 or 49, Paul and Silas began to establish a church in the Macedonian capital, Thessalonica. Unfortunately, after just a few weeks, riots broke out and the two missionaries had to leave the city under cover of night. (You can read more about these events in Acts 17 and 18.) Though they were busy preaching in Berea and Athens, Paul and Silas couldn't get the Thessalonians out of their minds. With such a brief introduction to the Good News, were they still faithful? Paul and Silas decided to send a young associate, Timothy, to find out. Timothy returned with cheering news: the church was thriving. Thankful for the Thessalonians' faith, love, and endurance, the three missionaries sat down and wrote them this letter.

The general tone of the letter is thanksgiving for a church that is living together in love, with no major scandals or heresies disrupting their community. The missionaries warn the Thessalonians to be careful in two areas that frequently cause problems: sex and money. Otherwise, just keep on encouraging one another: "Instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone" (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

One important question needs to be addressed. Paul and Silas had taught them about Jesus, of course-that Christ has died, is risen, and will come again. The Thessalonians expect this to happen very soon, and they are eager to meet their Lord. But in the months between their conversion and Timothy's visit, several of their members have died. What will happen to them? they wonder. Have their loved ones missed out on seeing Jesus? Are the living and the dead forever separated?

"Brothers and sisters," the missionaries write, "we don't want you to grieve like other people who have no hope." When Jesus returns, "the dead who believed in Christ will come back to life" (4:13-17). The living and the dead will be reunited, and both will live forever with Jesus. And in case these new Christians find the idea of the second coming just a little frightening, the missionaries remind them that God loves them, chose them, intends to save them, and will be with them forever, whether they "are awake in this life or asleep in death" (1:4; 5:9-10).

Key Names of God in 1 Thessalonians Spirit Father Christ Lord 1 THESSALONIANS.

1 2 3 4 5.

Greeting 1 1 From Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

To the church at Thessalonica united with God the Father and the Lord Yeshua Christ.

Good willa and peace are yours!

Paul's Prayer for the Thessalonians 2 We always thank God for all of you as we remember you in our prayers. 3 In the presence of our God and Father, we never forget that your faith is active, your love is working hard, and your confidence in our Lord Yeshua Christ is enduring. 4 Brothers and sisters, we never forget this because we know that God loves you and has chosen you. 5 We know this because the Good News we brought came to you not only with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with complete certainty. In the same way you know what kind of people we were while we were with you and the good things we did for you.

6 You imitated us and the Lord. In spite of a lot of suffering, you welcomed God's word with the kind of joy that the Holy Spirit gives. 7 This way, you became a model for all the believers in the province of Macedonia and Greece. 8 From you the Lord's word has spread out not only through the province of Macedonia and Greece but also to people everywhere who have heard about your faith in God. We don't need to say a thing about it. 9 They talk about how you welcomed us when we arrived. They even report how you turned away from false gods to serve the real, living God 10 and to wait for his Son to come from heaven. His Son is Yeshua, whom he brought back to life. Yeshua is the one who rescues us from God's coming anger.

Paul Remembers When He Was with the Thessalonians 2 1 You know, brothers and sisters, that our time with you was not wasted. 2 As you know, we suffered rough and insulting treatment in Philippi. But our God gave us the courage to tell you his Good News in spite of strong opposition.

3 When we encouraged you, we didn't use unethical schemes, corrupt practices, or deception. 4 Rather, we are always spreading the Good News. God trusts us to do this because we passed his test. We don't try to please people but God, who tests our motives. 5 As you know, we never used flattery or schemes to make money. God is our witness! 6 We didn't seek praise from people, from you or from anyone else, 7 although as apostles of Christ we had the right to do this.

Instead, we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother taking care of her children. 8 We felt so strongly about you that we were determined to share with you not only the Good News of God but also our lives. That's how dear you were to us! 9 You remember, brothers and sisters, our work and what we did to earn a living. We worked night and day so that we could bring you the Good News of God without being a burden to any of you. 10 You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless we were in our dealings with you believers. 11 You know very well that we treated each of you the way a father treats his children. We comforted you and encouraged you. Yet, we insisted that 12 you should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Paul Remembers How the Thessalonians Received the Word of God 13 Here is another reason why we never stop thanking God: When you received God's word from us, you realized it wasn't the word of humans. Instead, you accepted it for what it really is-the word of God. This word is at work in you believers.

14 You, brothers and sisters, were like the churches of God in Judea that are united with Christ Yeshua. You suffered the same persecutions from the people of your own country as those churches did from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Yeshua and the prophets and who have persecuted us severely. They are displeasing to God. They are enemies of the whole human race 16 because they try to keep us from telling people who are not Jewish how they can be saved. The result is that those Jews always commit as many sins as possible. So at last they are receiving God's anger.

17 Brothers and sisters, we have been separated from you for a little while. Although we may not be able to see you, you're always in our thoughts. We have made every possible effort to fulfill our desire to see you. 18 We wanted to visit you. I, Paul, wanted to visit you twice already, but Satan made that impossible.

19 Who is our hope, joy, or prize that we can brag about in the presence of our Lord Yeshua when he comes? Isn't it you? 20 You are our glory and joy!

Timothy's Report to Paul 3 1 We thought it best to remain in Athens by ourselves. But, because we couldn't wait any longer for news about you, 2 we sent our brother Timothy to you. He serves God by spreading the Good News about Christ. His mission was to strengthen and encourage you in your faith 3 so that these troubles don't disturb any of you. You know that we're destined to suffer persecution. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to suffer persecution. And as you know, that's what happened. 5 But when I couldn't wait any longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I wanted to see whether the tempter had in some way tempted you, making our work meaningless.

6 But Timothy has just now come back to us from you and has told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us that you always have fond memories of us and want to see us, as we want to see you. 7 So brothers and sisters, your faith has encouraged us in all our distress and trouble. 8 Now we can go on living as long as you keep your relationship with the Lord firm.

9 We can never thank God enough for all the joy you give us as we rejoice in God's presence. 10 We pray very hard night and day that we may see you again so that we can supply whatever you still need for your faith. 11 We pray that God our Father and the Lord Yeshua will guide us to you. 12 We also pray that the Lord will greatly increase your love for each other and for everyone else, just as we love you. 13 Then he will strengthen you to be holy. Then you will be blameless in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Yeshua comes with all God's holy people.

Instructions on the Way Christians Should Live 4 1 Now then, brothers and sisters, because of the Lord Yeshua we ask and encourage you to excel in living a God-pleasing life even more than you already do. Do this the way we taught you. 2 You know what orders we gave you through the Lord Yeshua. 3 It is God's will that you keep away from sexual sin as a mark of your devotion to him. 4 Each of you should know that finding a husband or wife for yourself is to be done in a holy and honorable way, 5 not in the passionate, lustful way of people who don't know God. 6 No one should take advantage of or exploit other believers that way. The Lord is the one who punishes people for all these things. We've already told you and warned you about this. 7 God didn't call us to be sexually immoral but to be holy. 8 Therefore, whoever rejects this order is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

9 You don't need anyone to write to you about the way Christians should love each other. God has taught you to love each other. 10 In fact, you are showing love to all the Christians throughout the province of Macedonia. We encourage you as believers to excel in love even more. 11 Also, make it your goal to live quietly, do your work, and earn your own living, as we ordered you. 12 Then your way of life will win respect from those outside the church, and you won't have to depend on anyone else for what you need.

Comfort about Christians Who Have Died 13 Brothers and sisters, we don't want you to be ignorant about those who have died. We don't want you to grieve like other people who have no hope. 14 We believe that Yeshua died and came back to life. We also believe that, through Yeshua, God will bring back those who have died. They will come back with Yeshua . 15 We are telling you what the Lord taught. We who are still alive when the Lord comes will not go into his kingdom ahead of those who have already died. 16 The Lord will come from heaven with a command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the dead who believed in Christ will come back to life. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive will be taken in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In this way we will always be with the Lord. 18 So then, comfort each other with these words!

Be Ready for the Day of the Lord 5 1 Brothers and sisters, you don't need anyone to write to you about times and dates. 2 You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When people say, "Everything is safe and sound!" destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won't be able to escape. 4 But, brothers and sisters, you don't live in the dark. That day won't take you by surprise as a thief would. 5 You belong to the day and the light not to the night and the dark. 6 Therefore, we must not fall asleep like other people, but we must stay awake and be sober. 7 People who sleep, sleep at night; people who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 Since we belong to the day, we must be sober. We must put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 It was not God's intention that we experience his anger but that we obtain salvation through our Lord Yeshua Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake in this life or asleep in death, we will live together with him. 11 Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.

Paul Encourages the Thessalonians 12 Brothers and sisters, we ask you to show your appreciation for those leaders who work among you and instruct you. 13 We ask you to love them and think very highly of them because of the work they are doing. Live in peace with each other.

14 We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Yeshua that you do this.

19 Don't put out the Spirit's fire. 20 Don't despise what God has revealed. 21 Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. 22 Keep away from every kind of evil.

Farewell 23 May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole being-spirit, soul, and body-blameless when our Lord Yeshua Christ comes. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.

27 In the Lord's name, I order you to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

28 The good willa of our Lord Yeshua Christ be with you.

a 1:1 Or "Grace."

a 5:28 Or "grace."