Questions about Paul's letter to the church in Colossae.
6
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1answer
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How sure can we be that Archippus was a church leader?
Paul twice mentions Archippus. In Philemon he is a fellow soldier, and, in Colossians, he has some sort of ministry to fulfill.
Colossians 4:17 "Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which ...
2
votes
1answer
49 views
Why does the household table in Colossians spend so long on slaves?
In the household table in Colossians 3:18-4:1, almost half the words are directed towards slaves. This seems significant, especially since in the house table in Ephesians it is much more even (perhaps ...
5
votes
3answers
185 views
What is the “worship of angels”?
In Colossians 2:18, Paul warns his readers, "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize" (NIV emphasis mine). Of course, that it is in the ...
6
votes
1answer
885 views
What does the term “principalities and powers” mean?
In some translations, I see the term "principalities and powers." To what does this refer?
This will not be exhaustive, but for example, consider the KJV's translation of Romans 8:38-39:
For I ...
1
vote
2answers
76 views
Connotation of πλεονεξία in Colossians 3:5
Looking at Colossians 3:5 in Greek:
Νεκρώσατε οὖν τὰ μέλη τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν ἀκαθαρσίαν πάθος ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρία.
Πλεονεξία, often translated ...
8
votes
1answer
186 views
Does Luke's supposed profession matter when interpreting his work as an author?
Paul makes reference to a physician named Luke:
Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.—Colossians 4:14 (ESV)
Tradition also assigns Luke as author of the gospel that bears ...
5
votes
2answers
736 views
Psalms, Hymns, Songs: What are the meanings of these words Biblically?
Verses in Question
Let the word of Christ 18 dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace 19 in your hearts ...
5
votes
2answers
124 views
Meaning of “Body of Flesh” in Colossians 2:11
In Colossians 2:11, what does Paul mean by τοῦ σώματος τῆς σαρκός? Paul uses σάρξ to refer to the body or the physical far less than John, and it is clear that isn't what he's referring to here: the ...
4
votes
1answer
106 views
Translation of “οἰκονομίαν”
Οἰκονομία is often glossed stewardship; the UBS 4th edition Greek New Testament renders it management of a household in the glossary. However, I find it is often difficult to translate in a sentence. ...
3
votes
3answers
728 views
What does “reconciling all things” mean in Colossians 1:20?
In Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV) we read:
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by ...
5
votes
1answer
73 views
What restrictions would Paul have been preaching against in Colossians 2?
Colossians 2:20-23 (ESV)
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 "Do not handle, Do ...
9
votes
6answers
494 views
What was lacking in Christ's afflictions?
In Colossians 1:24, I read:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church ...
