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Date : 2026-07-19
Location: The Chapel
Teacher: Michael Garstang
Summary
This study by Michael Garstang opens Colossians, following a prior study of Ephesians. He introduces Colossians as a prison epistle closely tied to the new dispensation of grace and believers’ heavenly hope. A central theme is “rightly dividing the Word of truth,” with Acts 28:28 highlighted as a pivotal boundary. The message contrasts the hope in Colossians with that in 1 Peter, asserting they are distinct based on different Greek terms and contexts. The talk underscores Epaphras’s role in evangelizing the Colossians and teaching them “the truth of the mystery,” for which Paul and Timothy give thanks, commending the Colossians for their faith, love, and hope.
Knowledge Points
1. Introduction to the Epistle of Colossians
Thematic Overview
Colossians, like Ephesians, addresses the new dispensation of grace, the mystery of the body of Christ, and the heavenly hope, especially evident in Colossians 1:1-13.
It is one of Paul’s prison epistles, written while he was in bonds for proclaiming the mystery of Christ (Colossians 4:3).
Authorship and Audience
Written by Paul, an apostle by God’s will, and Timothy.
Addressed to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae (Colossians 1:1-2).
Role of Epaphras
The Colossians received the gospel and the truth of the mystery from Epaphras, called a “dear fellow servant” and a “faithful minister of Christ” (Colossians 1:7).
Paul and Timothy had not visited Colossae or met these believers face-to-face (Colossians 2:1), crediting Epaphras with evangelizing the city.
Paul and Timothy’s Prayer
After hearing from Epaphras about the Colossians’ faith, love, and hope, Paul and Timothy give thanks to God.
They pray the Colossians be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, walk worthy of the Lord, be fruitful in good works, and be strengthened with His power (Colossians 1:9-11).
Paul commends their faith in Christ Jesus, love for all the saints, and the hope laid up in heaven (Colossians 1:4-5).
This trilogy—faith, hope, and love—is distinctive in Paul’s writings (e.g., 1 Corinthians 13:13).
2. Theological Principle: Rightly Dividing the Word
Core Principle
The guiding principle for Bible study is “rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), studying Scripture systematically rather than randomly.
All of the Bible is for us, but not all of it is about us.
The Acts 28 Dividing Line
Acts 28:28 is the key division.
The Gospels were directed to Israel alone (John 1:11; Romans 15:8).
The Acts period included both Jew and Gentile, with Gentiles sharing Israel’s spiritual things as a wild olive grafted in (Romans 11).
After Acts 28, Paul’s ministry turned to the nations/Gentiles with a new revelation.
The Post-Acts Revelation (The Mystery)
The present truth concerns the mystery, a secret “hid in God” (Ephesians 3:9) and “promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2-3).
This secret was not revealed in prior ages but was made known to Paul after Acts 28.
Distinct from practices set aside (in abeyance), such as water baptism and the communion service, which belonged to earlier dispensations.
3. Analysis of “The Hope” in Colossians vs. 1 Peter
Two Distinct Hopes
The “hope” in Colossians 1:5 differs from the “inheritance” in 1 Peter 1:4.
Hope in Colossians 1:5
“The hope which is laid up (Greek: apokeimai) for you in heaven.”
Apokeimai appears three times in the NT:
Colossians 1:5: “laid up for you.”
2 Timothy 4:8: “laid up for me a crown of righteousness.”
Hebrews 9:27: “it is appointed unto men once to die.”
This hope is tied to the mystery revealed to Paul, unknown to Peter, and pertains to believers in the current dispensation.
Inheritance in 1 Peter 1:4
“An inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, reserved (Greek: tēreō) in heaven for you.”
Tēreō is common and means to guard, keep, or preserve. Examples:
Matthew 27:36: Soldiers “watched” (guarded) Jesus.
John 9:16: Claim that Jesus did not “keep” the Sabbath.
This “reserved” inheritance aligns with the New Jerusalem descending from heaven (Revelation 21:2), fitting those to whom Peter ministered.Questions
Further Studies
Reread Colossians chapter 1 to gain further personal insight into this prison epistle.
Evaluate the claim that present truth must be learned from the rightly divided Word, especially the post-Acts epistles.
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