COLOSSIANS CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION TO THIS STUDY
The purpose of this study work is to give you the original Greek language words and definitions for all the key words in this selected Bible text. This work does not make any effort to interpret the text in question, though some interpretation may occur naturally as a result of the study. The English translation used is the King James (Authorized) Version, not because it is the best translation available, but because I just plain prefer it for study!
All Scripture text will be presented in normal cased lettering, and all notes within the text will be in TRUE TYPE FONT, as shown. This (I hope) will allow you to avoid confusion between God's Word and my notes. As I update this website, I will continue to embellish the text so that anyone using NETSCAPE or MSIE 3.0 or higher will be able to read the document easier. Greek tenses are abbreviated as follows:
Paul, PAULOS = LITTLE ONE. SEE 1 CORINTHIANS 15.10. BY RACE PAUL WAS A JEW, BY CITIZENSHIP A ROMAN.
an apostle APOSTOLOS. ORIGINALLY DESIGNATED THE HIGHEST RANK IN THE ATHENIAN NAVY, CAME TO MEAN “MESSENGER”, AND DESIGNATED THE HIGHEST RANK IN THE ORGANIZED CHURCH.
of Jesus Christ by the will of God, DIA + THELEMA, GEN = THROUGH THE PURPOSE, PLAN OR DESIGN OF GOD.
and Timotheus our brother, SPIRITUAL LEADER OF THE CHURCHES IN TURKEY, ONE TIME PASTOR OF EPHESUS.
STUDY NOTES COLOSSIANS WAS WRITTEN BY PAUL DURING HIS FIRST ROMAN IMPRISONMENT (SEE EPHESIANS 3.1; 4.1; PHILLIPIANS 1.7-9; COLOSSIANS 4.18). EPHESIANS, PHILLIPIANS, AND PHILEMON WERE WRITTEN IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. PAUL WAS IMPRISONED BECAUSE HE ENTERED THE TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM AND OFFERED A VOW. THIS LED TO TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT IN CEASEARIA, 2 YEARS IN ROME. THE EPISTLE WAS WRITTEN BETWEEN 60-62 A.D. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE LETTER WERE IN THE LICUS VALLEY, WHERE LAODICEA WAS. THE POPULATION OF THE VALLEY WAS PHRYGIANS, JEWS, AND GREEKS. COLOSSIANS WAS WRITTEN TO COMBAT GNOSTICISM, LEGALISM, PHILOSOPHY, ASCETICISM, AND OTHER RELIGIOUS PERVERSIONS (2.20-23). THE PEOPLE WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO FACTIONS: PISTICS, WHO WERE SHEPHERDS THAT BELIEVED IN SALVATION BY FAITH ALONE, AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNED PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED RELIGIOUS APOSTASY AND FALSE DOCTRINE. THE PASTOR EPAPHRAS JOURNEYED TO ROME TO GET HELP FROM PAUL, AND THIS JOURNEY PRODUCED THE LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS, AS WELL AS PHILEMON. THE GNOSTICISM THAT HAD CREPT INTO THE CHURCH AT COLOSSAE WAS A COMBINATION OF GREEK PHILOSOPHY, LEGALISTIC JUDAISM, ORIENTAL DUELISM, AND WAS COVERED WITH A VENEER OF CHRISTIAN TERMINOLOGY TO MAKE IT SEEM ACCEPTABLE. GNOSTICS ACHIEVED SPIRITUALITY BY EITHER MAXIMUM SENSUALITY OR MAXIMUM ASCETICISM. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE CROSS WAS ONLY A FAIRY TALE, WORSHIPPED FALLEN ANGELS, AND SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT DIVINE REVELATION APART FROM THE SCRIPTURE.
Col:1:2
To the saints HAGIOS, DAT PL = SET APART OR SANCTIFIED ONES
and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colossae: LOCAL CHURCH MET IN THE HOME OF PHILEMON, A PERSONAL FRIEND OF PAUL
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Col:1:3
We give thanks EUCHARISTEO, PR AC IND = KEEP ON GIVING THANKS. THE ORIGIN OF OUR WORD “EUCHARIST”
to God and the Father DAT HO THEOS PATER = OF GOD THE FATHER
of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always PROSEUCHOMAI, PR AC PART, STATIC PR + TON + PANTOTE = HABITUALLY PRAYING AT ALL TIMES
for you, PERI = CONCERNING YOU
Col:1:4
Since we heard AKOUO, AO AC PART = HAVING HEARD THE REPORT OF
of your faith PISTIS, ACC= FAITH, DOCTRINAL KNOWLEDGE
in Christ Jesus, and of the love AGAPE = DIVINE LOVE
which ye have ECHO, PR AC IND, STATIC PR = KEEP ON HAVING AND HOLDING TOWARD
to all the saints,
Col:1:5
For the hope DIA + ELPIS, ACC = BECAUSE OF THE CONFIDENCE OR ASSURANCE
which is laid up APOKEIMAI, PR MID PART = ALWAYS PRESERVED
for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before PROAKOUO, AO AC IND = HEARD BEFOREHAND
in the word EN + LOGOS, LOCATIVE = IN THE SPHERE OF THE WORD
of the truth ALEITHEIA = PURE TRUTH, FREE FROM ERROR
of the gospel; EUAGGELEA, DESCRIPTIVE GEN = OF THE GOOD NEWS
Col:1:6
Which is come PARAEIMI, PR AC PART = BEING PRESENT
unto you, as it is EIMI, PR AC PART + KARPOPHOREO, PR MID PART = EVEN AS ALSO
in all the world; and bringeth forth KAI + AUZANO, PR MID PART = AND INCREASING
fruit, as it doth also in you,
STUDY NOTE PROPER WORD ORDER OF THIS TEXT IS: “BEING PRESENT IN YOU, EVEN AS IN ALL THE WORLD, AND CONSTANTLY BEARING FRUIT, AND INCREASING, EVEN AS ALSO IN YOU, SINCE.......”
since the day ye heard AKOUO, AO AC IND, CONSTATIVE AO = KEPT HEARING IN THE PAST
of it, and knew EPIGINOSKO, AO AC IND, INGRESSIVE AO = BEGAN TO HAVE APPLIED KNOWLEDGE OF
the grace of God CHARIS + GEN TOU + THEOU = THE GRACE FROM GOD
in truth: EN + LOCATIVE ALEITHEIA = IN THE SPHERE OF TRUTH
Col:1:7
As ye also learned MANTHANO, AO AC IND = HAVE LEARNED FROM A TEACHER
of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, SUNDOULOS = FELLOW SLAVE
who is EIMI, PR AC IND = KEEPS ON BEING
for you a faithful minister PISTOS + DIAKONOS = FAITHFUL OR DEPENDABLE SERVANT/ DEACON. SEE 1 CORINTHIANS 3.5; EPHESIANS 3.7; 1 TIMOTHY 1.12
of Christ;
Col:1:8
Who also declared unto us your love
in the Spirit. ONEUMA, INST = BY MEANS OF THE SPIRIT
Col:1:9
For this cause we also, since the day APO = FROM THE DAY
we heard it, do not cease to pray PROSEUCHOMAI = TO INTENSELY PRAY
for you, and to desire AITEO, PR MID PART = TO KEEP ON ASKING
that ye might be filled PLEROO, AO PAS SUBJ = TO FILL WITH A CERTAIN QUALITY SO AS TO REMOVE A DEFICIENCY
with the knowledge EPIGNOSIS = APPLIED KNOWLEDGE, KNOWLEDGE IN THE SOUL OF THE PERSON
of his will THELEMA, GEN SG = HIS SOVEREIGN PURPOSE AND DESIGN
in all wisdom EN + INST SOPHIA = BY MEANS OF DIVINE WISDOM
and spiritual understanding; SUNESIS = TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE OF A SUBJECT
Col:1:10
That ye might walk PERIPATEO, AO AC INF = MIGHT BEGIN TO WALK
worthy AZIOS = WITH MERIT
of the Lord unto all pleasing, EIS, PREPOSITION STARTING PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE = WITH A VIEW TOWARD
being fruitful KARPOPHOREO, PR PAS PART = CONSTANTLY RECEIVING GROWTH
in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Col:1:11
Strengthened with all might, PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE EN + DUNAMIS + PAS + PR PAS PART DUNAMAI = BY EVERY ENABLING POWER CONSTANTLY BEING STRENGTHENED
according to KATA = ACCORDING TO THE NORM OR STANDARD OF
his glorious power, TO + KRATOS + DOZA = OF THE RULING POWER OF HIS GLORY
unto EIS, RESULTANT PREPOSITION = RESULTING IN
all patience and longsuffering MAKROTHUMIA = STABILITY UNDER PRESSURE, IN SUFFERING
with joyfulness;
Col:1:12
Giving thanks EUCHARISTEO, PR AC PART = CONSTANTLY BEING THANKFUL
unto the Father, which hath made us meet HIKANOO, DAT AO AC PART = HAVING QUALIFIED YOU ALL
to be partakers PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE EIS + ACC MERIS = FOR A SHARE
of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col:1:13
Who hath delivered RUOMAI, AO MID IND = BEING RESERVED FROM ANOTHER’S POWER, PRESERVED SOMEONE FROM SOMETHING
us from EK = OUT FROM
the power EXOUSIA = RULING POWER, AUTHORITY
of darkness, and hath translated METHISTEMI, AO AC IND = TO TRANSFER FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER
us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col:1:14
In whom EN + INST HOS = BY MEANS OF WHOM
we have ECHO, PR AC IND = KEEP ON HAVING AND HOLDING
redemption APOLUTROSIS = THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR A SLAVE, PAYMENT FOR FREEDOM
through his blood, DIA + GEN HAIME = BY MEANS OF (HIS) BLOOD
even the forgiveness APHESIS = PARDON, REMISSION, CANCELLATION, NULLIFICATION
of sins:
Col:1:15
Who is EIMI, PR AC IND = KEEPS ON BEING
the image EIKON = EXACT IMAGE STUDY NOTE IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE GREEK WORD, HOMOIOMA, ISN’T USED HERE. THE LATTER REFERS TO A REPRESENTATION, SUCH AS IS FOUND WHEN SOMETHING LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING ELSE, BUT DOESN’T POSSESS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE OTHER. CHRIST IS AN EXACT IMAGE OF GOD, I.E. HE IS GOD.
of the invisible God, the firstborn PROTOKOS = PRE-EMINENT OVER, FIRST IN RANK AND PRIVILEGE
STUDY NOTE COMPARE ISAIAH 7.14 WITH ISAIAH 9.6. THE DEITY OF CHRIST WAS NEVER BORN. HE WAS NOT CREATED GOD, BUT WAS AND IS GOD IN ETERNITY. HE WAS BORN A HUMAN, OF MARY, AND IS PRE-EMINENT OVER ALL OF GOD’S CREATION BECAUSE OF HIS EXALTED POSITION. SEE ALSO HEBREWS 1.2.
of every creature:
Col:1:16
For HOTI, CAUSAL PART = BECAUSE
by him EN + INST AUTOS = BY MEANS OF HIS SELF
were all PAS = EVERY THING
things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, THRONOS, NOM PL = GOVERNMENTS, NATIONS
or dominions, KURIOTES, NOM PL = CONSTITUTED AUTHORITIES, LORDSHIPS
or principalities, ARCHE, NOM PL = RULERS. POSSIBLY ANGELIC RULERS, SEE EPHESIANS 6.11
or powers: EXOUSIA = LESSER AUTHORITIES
all things were created KTIZO, PER PAS IND = WAS CREATED SO THAT IT REMAINS STABLE IN CREATION
by him, and for him:
Col:1:17
And he is PR AC IND, STATIC PR EIMI = KEEPS ON BEING
before all REFERS TO THE DEITY OF CHRIST. SEE ISAIAH 9.6; MICAH 5.2; JOHN 1.1-3; .58; EPHESIANS 1.4; REVELATION 1.11
things, and by him all things consist. PER A IND, SNISTEMI = HOLDS TOGETHER, CONTINUES TO EXIST
Col:1:18
And he is PR AC IND EIMI = KEEPS ON BEING
the head KEPHALE = PREDOMINANT, FIRST, LEADER, HEAD
of the body, SOMA = BODY. SEE ALSO ROMANS 12.5; 1 CORINTHIANS 11.3; 12.12-13; EPHESIANS 1.22-23
the church: who is PR AC IND EIMI = KEEPS ON BEING
the beginning, ARCHE = RULER, FIRST CAUSE
the firstborn PROTOKOS = FIRST BORN, PRE-EMINENT
from the dead; that in all things he might have AO MID SUBJ GINOMAI = HE MIGHT BECOME
the preeminence. PR AC PART PROTEUO = THE HOLDER OF HIGHEST RANK
Col:1:19
For HOTI = BECAUSE
it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness PLEROMA = TO FILL UP TO THE POINT OF COMPLETION
dwell; AO AC INF KATOIKEO = TO HAVE PERMANENT RESIDENCE, DWELL PERPETUALLY IN
Col:1:20
And, having made peace AO AC PART EIRENOPOIEO = TO MAKE PEACE, ESTABLISH LASTING HARMONY BETWEEN TWO WARRING PARTIES
through the blood of his cross, by him DIA + GEN AUTOS = THROUGH HIM AND ONLY HIM
to reconcile AO AC INF APOKATALLASSO = TO REMOVE A BARRIER FROM BETWEEN TWO PARTIES
all things unto himself; EIS + AUTOS = TOWARD HIMSELF
by him, DIA + GEN AUTOS = THROUGH HIM AND ONLY HIM
I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Col:1:21
And you, that were EIMI PR AC PART = KEPT ON BEING
sometime alienated APALLOTRIOO PER PAS PART = STATE OF BEING AN ENEMY
and enemies in your mind DIANOIA = IN THINKING. UNBELIEVERS, NO MATTER HOW SEEMINGLY GOOD, ARE ENEMIES OF GOD. SEE ROMANS 5.10; EPHESIANS 2.11-15
by wicked works, EN + INST PONEROS = BY MEANS OF USELESS, WORTHLESS, WICKED WORKS
yet now hath he reconciled AO AC IND APOKATALLASSO = HE HAS RECONCILED TO THE ULTIMATE SOURCE, TRANSFERRED FROM ONE STATE TO ANOTHER WITH PERMANENT RESULTS
Col:1:22
In the body EN + INST SOMA = BY MEANS OF THE BODY
of his flesh through death, DIA + GEN THANATOS = THROUGH HIS SPIRITUAL DEATH. THE OTHER GREEK WORD FOR DEATH, NEKROS, IS NOT USED HERE, AND IS ONLY USED FOR PHYSICAL DEATH. THE SPIRITUAL DEATH THAT JESUS SUFFERED, AND COMPLETED WITH THE WORDS “IT IS FINISHED” PROVIDED THE PAYMENT FOR OUR SINS, AND GAVE US SALVATION.
to present AO AC INF PARISTEMI = TO CONSECRATE, PRESENT TO GOD
you holy HAGIOS = SANCTIFIED, SET APART
and unblameable ACC PL AMOMOS = WITHOUT BLAME
and unreproveable ACC PL ANEGKLETOS = IRREPROACHABLE
in his sight: KATENOPION = IN HIS PRESENCE
Col:1:23
If ye continue in the faith EN + LOCATIVE HO PISTIS = IN THE SPHERE OF THAT WHICH IS BELIEVED, IN DOCTRINE
grounded PER PAS PART THEMELIOO = HAVING LAID A FOUNDATION
and settled, EDRAIOS = STABILIZED
and be not moved away PR PAS PART METAKINEO + ME = NOT SWERVING OFF THE PATH
from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made AO MID IND GINOMAI = HAVE BECOME
a minister; DIAKONOS = MINISTER, DEACON, SERVANT, TABLE WAITER
Col:1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, HUPER = ON YOUR BEHALF
and fill up PR AC IND ANTANAPLEROO = TO TAKE ONE’S TURN TO FILL UP A DEFICIENCY OR FILL WITH A CERTAIN QUALITY
that which is behind ACC PL HUSTEREMA = THE THINGS LACKING
of the afflictions GEN PL THLIPSIS = WITH REFERENCE TO THE PRESSURES OF
of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Col:1:25
Whereof I am made a minister, DIAKONOS = MINISTER, DEACON, SERVANT, TABLE WAITER
according to KATA = ACCORDING TO THE NORM OR STANDARD OF
the dispensation OIKONOMOS = DISPENSATIONAL PERIOD, HISTORIC PERIOD IN GOD’S PLAN OF THE AGES
of God which is given AO PAS PART DIDOMAI = HAVING BEEN GIVEN
to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
Col:1:26
Even the mystery MUSTERION = ORIGINALLY REFERRED TO THE FRATERNAL SECRETS THAT NEEDED TO BE LEARNED IN ORDER TO JOIN AN ORDER OR CLUB. REFERS THE CHURCH, AND THE DOCTRINE OF THE GOSPEL THAT THE CHURCH POSSESSES
which hath been hid from ages AION = DISPENSATIONAL PERIODS OF TIME, AGES
and from generations, but now is made manifest AO PAS IND PHANEROO = HAS BEEN REVEALED
to his saints:
Col:1:27
To whom God would AO AC IND THELO = DECREED
make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; EN + LOCATIVE ETHNE = IN THE GENTILES
which is PR AC IND EIMI = KEEPS ON BEING
Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col:1:28
Whom we preach, PR AC IND KATAGGELLO = WE KEEP ON SOLEMNLY PROCLAIMING
warning PR AC PART NOUTHETEO = TO INSTRUCT WITH CAUTION
every man, and teaching PR AC PART DIDASKO = CONSTANTLY TEACHING
every man in all wisdom; EN + LOCATIVE SOPHIA = IN THE SPHERE OF DIVINE WISDOM
that we may present AO AC SUBJ PARISTEMI = WE MAY CONSECRATE OR DEDICATE TO GOD
every man perfect TELEIOS = MATURE, COMPLETE
in Christ Jesus:
Col:1:29
Whereunto EIS + HOS = TOWARD WHICH
I also labour, TOPIAO = TO LABOR UNTIL EXHAUSTED WITH WEARINESS
striving PR MID PART AGONIZOMAI = STRAINING TO REACH THE FINISH LINE
according to his working, KATA + ENERGEA = ACCORDING TO THE NORM OR STANDARD OF HIS OPERATIONAL POWER
which worketh in me mightily.
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