Colossians 2:4-5

Colossians 2:4-5

I say this in order that nobody should deceive you through false reasoning in plausible speech.  For I am also absent in the flesh but I am with you all by the Spirit while rejoicing and while seeing your proper order and the firm position of your faithfulness in Christ.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Today we hear more reasons about why Paul is saying what he says.  He wants the Colossians to be strong in the face of faulty logic.  In fact, the Greek that Paul uses here is nearly redundant.  The verb implies being deceived through false reasoning.  The object of the verb is “plausible speech,” which also inherently assumes the presence of flawed logic.  What we need to pay special attention to is the fact that Paul is not expressing concern of emotional appeals.  Paul is expressing concern over people who come into our life and make very logic and rational arguments.  Paul is talking about people who can come in and justify their faulty reasoning.  Paul wants us to be able to discern faulty reasoning when we hear it so that we can defend ourselves when necessary.

Have you ever heard “plausible speech” that sounded nice at the time but was based on a faulty premise?  Was it easy or difficult for you to see your way through it?  What can make it more difficult to discern?  What can make it easier to discern?

Second Thought:

I love the middle of this passage.  Paul confesses that he isn’t there.  In fact, he’s never been there!  But then Paul reminds us of a very humbling and important fact.  His presence – or my presence – is nothing next to the presence of the Holy Spirit.  The Colossians have the Holy Spirit; they’re in great hands!  We don’t need to be present; God does!  That is humbling to remind ourselves of daily.  We are just the tools in God’s most capable hands.

Do you ever want to be the important part of the plan?  Why is it good that God is always the important part of the plan?  How does it free us to realize that God’s presence is far more important than mine?

Third Thought:

I love how Paul ends this section.  What he is most excited about is the firm position of faith that the Colossians are expressing.  Of course, we must remember that in the Greek the word for faith can also mean faithfulness.  Paul is excited because their belief is where it should be.  He is excited because their faithfulness is where it should be.  But he is also excited about just how firm their position is.  In spite of persecution, they are firm.  In spite of hearing how other people are being persecuted, they are firm.  The true test of faith is not when life is easy and things are going your way.  The true test of faith is adversity.  The Colossians are standing firm.

How firm is your faith?  When have you been given an opportunity to see just how firm your faith is and actually can be?

Passage for Tomorrow: Colossians 2:6-7