Paul (the Suffering Servant of the Gospel)
Category: Endurance in chains & ministry
Could avoid: Stop preaching Christ to avoid prison.
“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you.” (Colossians 1:24)
Cross-Refs: 2 Timothy 2:9; Philippians 1:13.
Chose: To labour for the church with all his strength.
“To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:29)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10.
Endured: Chains, toil, spiritual opposition.
“For which I am in chains.” (Colossians 4:3)
Cross-Refs: Acts 20:23; Ephesians 6:20.
Why: To present everyone mature in Christ.
“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 3:12; James 1:4.
Result: The gospel bore fruit among the nations.
“…the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world.” (Colossians 1:6)
Cross-Refs: Acts 28:31; Matthew 24:14.
The Colossian Believers
Category: Endurance in faith & steadfastness
Could avoid: Give in to false teaching and empty philosophy.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy.” (Colossians 2:8)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 1:6–7; 1 Timothy 4:1.
Chose: Continue in Christ, rooted and built up in Him.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith.” (Colossians 2:6–7)
Cross-Refs: John 15:4–5; Ephesians 3:17.
Endured: Pressure from heresies, persecution, worldly traditions.
“Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink… or with regard to a religious festival.” (Colossians 2:16)
Cross-Refs: Romans 14:5–6; Galatians 4:9–10.
Why: Their life was hidden with Christ in God.
“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)
Cross-Refs: Romans 6:4; Philippians 1:21.
Result: Promise of appearing with Christ in glory.
“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4)
Cross-Refs: 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 John 3:2.
Epaphras (Faithful Servant)
Category: Endurance in prayer & service
Could avoid: Keep quiet, avoid labouring for others.
“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings.” (Colossians 4:12a)
Cross-Refs: Colossians 1:7; Philemon 23.
Chose: Wrestled in prayer for the believers.
“He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” (Colossians 4:12b)
Cross-Refs: Romans 15:30; James 5:16.
Endured: Labour, prayer, likely imprisonment with Paul.
“I vouch for him that he is working hard for you.” (Colossians 4:13)
Cross-Refs: 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 6:10.
Why: Desired their maturity in Christ.
“…that you may stand firm in all the will of God.” (Colossians 4:12)
Cross-Refs: Ephesians 6:13; 1 Peter 5:10.
Result: Recognised as faithful minister and encourager.
“…our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf.” (Colossians 1:7)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:2.
Christ (Supreme Example & Sustainer)
Category: Endurance in supremacy & reconciliation
Could avoid: Remain exalted without suffering.
“For in him all things were created.” (Colossians 1:16)
Cross-Refs: John 1:3; Hebrews 1:2.
Chose: To reconcile all things through His blood.
“And through him to reconcile to himself all things… by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:20)
Cross-Refs: Ephesians 2:14–16; Revelation 5:9.
Endured: The cross, hostility of sinners.
“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death.” (Colossians 1:22)
Cross-Refs: Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 2:24.
Why: To present believers holy and blameless.
“…to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:22)
Cross-Refs: Ephesians 5:27; Jude 24.
Result: Eternal supremacy and preeminence.
“…so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” (Colossians 1:18)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 2:9–11; Revelation 1:5.