Bible Studies

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In Colossians, Paul teaches that Christ existed before all of creation and that it was through Christ that everything "on heaven and earth" was created (1:16). "Everything" includes all that is visible and invisible (1:15-16). The Colossians Hymn reveals that the fullness of God dwells in Christ and that it through Christ and his death that peace is brought to all things, "whether those on earth or those in heaven" (1:19-20).

According to Paul's Christology, Christ always existed and is the instrument for all salvation by benefit of the fullness of God who is in Christ. The eternal power of Christ is within all those who proclaim his truth so that others may know his truth (1:27-28, 2:1-3). In a favorite passage of Thomas Merton, Col. 3:3,"For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God," Paul means that believers in the truth of Christ are beyond, as Christ is beyond, the powers of the world. His death and resurrection accomplished this mystery for humanity.

The vices of the world's "immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and the greed that is idolatry" must die within the faithful, the followers of Christ (3:5). With Jesus' death and resurrection, the time came for his followers to look beyond the temptations of the ruler of the world (Satan). Believers now must look to higher truths, "compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience" (3:12). When Christ resurrected, he returned to his place beside God, the Father. Those who believe this truth, live mystically beside God in Christ. Christians should seek that which is beyond material existence so that they will "appear with [Christ] in glory" (3:4).

Paul gives explicit instructions for Christian living. He urges Christians to speak and act "in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him" (*3:17). Paul emphasizes subordinance and love among families. Christians should "be slaves of the Lord Christ" (4:24). The mind goes back to Holy Thursday and the humble vision of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. Christians should approach prayer with earnestness and gratitude and are reminded that "Christ is all in all" (3:11). Like Christ, his followers are challenged to consider others with compassion and forgiveness.

Christ's mystical heavenly nature emerges as Paul exhorts the Colossions to live as examples of the one in whom they profess faith. Christ's life reveals a divine purpose for living, dying and resurrecting to life in God. Paul describes Christ's heavenly and earthly nature (fully human and fully divine, as later theology would develop it). Paul's comprehension extends to Christians' participation in Christ, God and creation. In a favorite verse of Teilhard de Chardin, 1:17, Paul writes, "He is before all things and in him all things hold together."

Christians become part of the universal Christ and their actions on earth reach heavenly heights. Christians are gloriified by their mystical life in Christ at God's side. With Paul's Christology, believers can internalize heavenly and eternal reasons to put aside material diversions in favor of a higher goal. The letter to the Colossians is a spiritual incentive with practical means for Christians to realize their mystical life in Christ.

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