Joy & Christ Supreme
Philippians & ColossiansWhat happens in Philippians & Colossians
Philippians and Colossians are both prison letters, written by Paul while chained in Rome, yet they overflow with joy and theological depth. Philippians is Paul's most joyful letter, written to a church he dearly loved. Despite his imprisonment, Paul finds joy in every circumstance, urging believers to rejoice always, to consider others more important than themselves, and to press on toward the goal of knowing Christ. The great Christ-hymn in chapter 2 describes Jesus setting aside His divine privileges, taking the form of a servant, and being obedient to death on a cross, after which God exalted Him to the highest place.
Colossians confronts a dangerous heresy threatening the church at Colossae, a blend of Jewish legalism, Greek philosophy, and mystical practices that diminished Christ's sufficiency. Paul's response is to exalt Christ above all things: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, and in Him all the fullness of God dwells bodily. If Christ is everything, then no human philosophy, religious ritual, or mystical experience can add anything to what believers already have in Him.
Key takeaways
- Joy is not dependent on circumstances, Paul rejoices from prison because his joy is rooted in Christ
- Jesus humbled Himself from the highest place to the lowest, and God exalted Him above every name
- Christ is supreme over all creation, He is before all things and in Him all things hold together
- Believers are complete in Christ and do not need to add human philosophies or rituals to their faith
- The Christian life involves pressing forward toward the goal of knowing Christ more fully
- Whatever we do should be done wholeheartedly, as working for the Lord rather than for people
A verse to carry
For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily, and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power.Colossians 2:9-10 (WEB)
Something to sit with
Paul says he has learned to be content in every situation. What circumstances in your life make contentment most difficult, and how might focusing on Christ change your perspective?
Did you know?
Paul wrote Philippians from prison, yet the word 'joy' or 'rejoice' appears 16 times in just four chapters. This is not naive optimism, Paul is facing possible execution and choosing joy anyway.
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