Colossians 1:18 "And he is the head of the body, the church: ..."

Bishop Lightfoot points out "and He" is repeated from the preceding verse to emphasise the fact that "the Creator of the world is also the head of the Church."

His headship of the Church is the truth that born-again members of His body will contend for, against all false teachers. We will own no other. As the Head He is:

	the inspiration of the body
	the ruler of the body
	the controller of the body
	the director of the body
	the sustainer of the body

Through His body He works out His purpose for all creation.

Colossians 1:18 "... who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; ..."

"The beginning". The Church began with Him - He is its source - He is first as the originator of the Church. As the "firstborn from the dead" He is victor over death - He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord, and ensured His people's victory over the grave (1 Corinthians 15:20,23 ). He is Lord of all creation by divine right. He attained Lordship of the Church by the travail of His atoning death, even the death of the cross, and His triumphant resurrection (Romans 1:4 ).

Colossians 1:18 "... that in all things he might have the preeminence. "

As the Saviour of "the body" He has the right of pre-eminence - He becomes supreme in us by our personal surrender to Him as Lord and Saviour. In this act of appropriation of Saviour and Lord we conceded to Him the right of His purchased possession, and crown Him Lord of all. He who is Lord of the Church will be owned by all creatures as Lord of lords and King of kings - every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11 ).

Colossians 1:19 "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; "

Christ is indeed "God ... manifest in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16 KJV). Christ is unique and different because in Him dwells all God's fullness. This strong statement refutes the false claim that part divine fullness dwelt in Him, and that other saints, prophets, also had a measure of this fullness. Even today there are religionists who would belittle the true Christ, granting Him a position equal to Krishna - Buddha, or Mohammed. The biblical Christian position is that Christ Jesus is truly God and is the only one who can claim to be the way, the truth and the life. In His fullness rests the security of our salvation.

Colossians 1:20 "... by him to reconcile all things unto himself; ..."

This "does not mean that Christ by His death has saved all people. Scripture speaks of an eternal hell and makes clear that only believers are saved. When Adam and Eve sinned, not only was harmony between God and man destroyed, but also disorder came into creation (Romans 8:10-22 ). So when Christ died on the cross, He made peace possible between God and man, and He restored in principle the harmony in the physical world, though the full realisation of the latter will come only when Christ returns (Romans 8:2 )". NIV Study Notes

The price paid to reconcile us must never be forgotten, "the blood of His cross."

Colossians 1:21 "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, ..."

The word "alienated" Greek 'pallotrioo'

"Indicates a desperate state of utter separation and isolation, which in lost humanity's relationship with God, is also marked by hostility. It is our own evil which makes us hostile to, and which alienates us from God". L.O Richards - The Bible Readers Companion - Victor Books

Hostility to God in the mind is manifested in open acts of evil deeds and unnatural rebellion. Examples, alas, are abundant from our own sinful past and in the lost around us. This description of our past serves to remind us that Jesus Christ stands supreme as the mighty and only Saviour.

Colossians 1:21,22 "... yet now hath he reconciled ²² In the body of his flesh through death, ..."

Our wonderful, present state as believers is that of the reconciled. That is, we have been restored to harmony with God. This is a fact positionally in Christ. It is now our joy to individually through the helping, indwelling Holy Spirit, to choose to bring daily life and attitude into harmony experientially.

The emphasis upon "the body of His flesh through death" being the means of our being reconciled, is to oppose the idea of there being any possibility of any other means or assistance in the work of reconciliation. The actual, literal death of Jesus is the means God uses to save us and make us holy.

Colossians 1:22 "... to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight "

When that day of presentation arrives it will be the culmination of Christ's redeeming work (Philippians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:6-9 ). Our prospect of perfection is beyond doubt, because He works in us and cannot fail and He is faithful - He will finally and completely demonstrate His supremacy as the only and perfect Saviour

Colossians 1:23 "if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, ..."

Fidelity to the gospel requires that we continue in the faith - that is, abide in Christ and His word (John 15:7 ). We must not succumb to any subtle heresy that would dethrone Him from His place of supremacy. Fidelity to the faith of the gospel means building upon a sure foundation, that results in our being grounded and steadfast. To move away from the gospel is to turn from the only unshakeable Rock - sure and abiding. This is the gospel heard, proclaimed and maintained by the apostle.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Making he confession of Colossians 1:18, what does each affirmation mean to you personally?
2. Would your salvation be possible without a Saviour in whom all the divine fulness dwells? (Colossians 1:19 ).
3. What changes toward God has reconciliation accomplished in you personally? (Colossians 1:20 ).
4. Why is it important to remember the price of reconciliation? (Colossians 1:20 ).
5. What is meant by "all things: being reconciled, and when will this be seen? (Colossians 1:20 ).
6. How is your sinful past described? (Colossians 1:21 ).
7. In your lifestyle are you living in harmony with God? (Colossians 1:21-22 ).
8. What kind of presentation can you confidently look forward to? (Colossians 1:22 ).
9. What is required of those who witness to the faith? (Colossians 1:23 ).