According to the first verse of Colossians, the letter is written by Paul, but Timothy is also included as one of the senders of the letter. Paul and Timothy were very close. He was in Corinth on the second journey when Paul wrote 1 and 2 Thessalonians, at Ephesus on the third journey when Paul wrote 2 Corinthians, and in Rome during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, when he wrote Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. You might also notice that two of Paul’s later letters are addressed specifically to him, see 1st and 2nd Timothy.
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Colossians 1:1
Who Are You “Wrist to Wrist” with?
Colossians 1:1
I Gotta be me!
Today we want to begin our study of the book of Colossians. I love the way Paul begins his letters to the churches. Even his introduction expresses his role as God’s servant. When he introduces himself in the first verse he says, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” It’s Paul’s way of saying that whatever he is, he is because that’s what God made him to be. I like to think it’s like Paul’s “I gotta be me” song. He accepts himself and God’s role for his life.
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Proverbs 31:30
More Precious than Rubies
As far as wives are concerned, I’ve always felt that God has given me everything. My wife is the most beautiful woman in the world. Her charm is extremely compelling. But more important than her charm and beauty is that she truly reflects the characteristics of Proverbs 31:30. It says, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, is to be praised.”
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Proverbs 28:19
Proverbs are not Promises!
Proverbs are just that! They are not promises and one does not have to look very far to find exceptions to the general principles asserted in this book. Consider Proverbs 28:19 for example. It says, “A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.” Everyone knows of hard working people who have lost everything. I know of farmers who have met with bankruptcy and worse because of drought or famine or economic reasons that are some of the hardest working people in the world. And we’ve all heard about those “dreamers” who spend $1.00 for a lottery ticket and win a million dollars.
Proverbs 27:5-6
Silence is not always Golden
I don’t remember the words “I love you” being used much around my house when I was growing up. It was just the way things were at that time. My old man was a tough old bird who worked hard and long hours and preached toughness to his sons. Yet, I always felt there was love in my home. When my mother said, “wait till your father gets home,” we knew we would be in for it. Mom loved us her way. Dad loved us in his way. But his love would never let us get away with anything.
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Proverbs 26:4-5
Good, Better or Best?
One of the more perplexing passages in the bible is Proverbs 26, verses 4 and 5. Verse 4 says, “Don’t answer a foolish person in keeping with his foolish acts. If you do, you will be like him yourself.” Then verse 5 says, “Answer a foolish person in keeping with his foolish acts. If you do, he won’t be wise in his own eyes.”
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Proverbs 25:11
The Words of my Mouth!
One famous verse from Chapter 25 of Proverbs is verse 11. It says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” The jest is that there are times when the right words are the most beautiful things in the world. On the contrary, the wrong words at the wrong time are truly the ugliest things in the world. Sometimes an illustration of the negative helps us better grasp the truth of the positive.
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Proverbs 24:30-32
Life Lessons are all around
The art contest at Country Bible Church is in full swing now and the entries will start coming in this week. Several people have mentioned to me that there are not many subjects in Proverbs that lend themselves to artistic expression. Au Contrare! Ships at sea, men with maids, spiders in kings houses, ants preparing for winter, and another great visual is found at the end of Proverbs Chapter 24. It says, “I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.”
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