lan Warner
15/2 of the Book of Colossians refers to chapter 1 verse 15 to chapter 2 verse 3. These scriptures lay the groundwork for understanding that God is above all and in control of all. The people of Colossae are struggling with false idols, and the Apostle Paul is writing to them to help snuff out this problem throughout the book.
Colossians 1:15-2:3
The Supremacy of the Son of God (15/2)
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Paul’s Labor for the Church (15/2)
24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
2 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
15/2 Breakdown
The purpose of the message from the Apostle Paul is that Jesus is enough. There is no reason to try and stuff your life with other idols or fake gods when Jesus is everything you could ever need. Jesus should be number 1 in your life, and everything else comes after that.
The passage also reminds us that we were sinners and enemies of God at one point, but because of the love of God and what Jesus did, we now have reconciliation with him. Then the 15/2 passage ends with the reminder that we should not lose hope in the Gospel.
Paul then encourages the church at the beginning of Chapter 2. He reminds them that he is suffering for the sake of the Gospel and that God has chosen to make the Gospel available for all and not just the Jews. He talks about a responsibility that Christians have to present other believers as being mature in their faith. Then he ends of the verses with encouragement that he is praying and pulling for them as a church.
