The hope before you (1–12). These people were going to heaven! They had heard the Word and trusted the Savior, and they had given evidence of their faith by their love for God and God’s people. God qualified them (v. 12); they did not save themselves.
The hope beneath you (13–23). Hope is a foundation on which you stand when all around you is shaking. The city of Colosse was located in an earthquake area, so Paul’s admonition was especially meaningful to them (v. 23). The false teachers wanted the saints to shift their foundation, but Paul pointed the church to Jesus Christ: Savior (vv. 13–14), eternal God (v. 15), Creator (vv. 16–17), and Head of the church (v. 18). What a perfect foundation for your hope!
The hope within you (24–29). Heaven is more than a destination; it is a motivation because Christ lives within. It is a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3) that affects how we think and act all day long. Because Christ is within us, we need not fear what is ahead.
Firstborn
“Firstborn over all creation” (Col. 1:15) does not mean Jesus was a created being and not eternal God, nor does “firstborn from the dead” (v. 18) mean He was the first one raised from the dead. Firstborn is a term of honor and means “the highest, of first rank and importance.” Jesus was prior to all creation (John 1:1–3) and is the highest in creation. He is the highest of all who were raised from the dead (Rev. 1:17–18).
Thanksgiving
Note the emphasis on thanksgiving in Colossians (1:3, 12; 2:7; 3:17; 4:2). The more wonderful we see Jesus to be, the more we will be grateful to God for Him and His blessings.
