[28] Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Colossians 1:28
What is your responsibility when in the company of other believers? Do you believe that they are the pastors responsibility or someone in leadership’s responsibility? Do you think that warning, teaching and maturing is going to happen because someone else is going to be doing that? Maybe you think that when you are in the company of believers you are there to receive?
In short, do we give a nod to the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers but practice something else? I have become very passionate about this issue!
If one were to look closely at many churches today and assess the shape and form of how we minister you might as well rewrite this scripture (sorry, this is a bit cynical) to say, “in him we suggest, but only if asked because we would not want to offend you in case you leave. We will seek to do what you want, to please and entertain you so that you can feel good about yourselves. We will do this for each and everyone at our cost!”
It is time is it not, to recover Jesus’ exhortation to one another-ing, to place a high value on the body, to equip, to disciple and more.
But we live in an age where people refuse to “endure sound teaching” but with “itching ears” they “accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” and they “turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Ok stop now Nigel, I must get back to the passage.
Paul describes part of his ministry as warning other believers or as some translations put it admonishing other believers(Concerning sin),
as well as teaching or instructing other believers (Concerning wisdom and discernment).
Some commentators suggest that the warning and admonishment described in the passage is directed at unbelievers and that the teaching and instructing is directed to believers. I don’t agree as there are numerous passages where Paul uses this Greek word translated “warning” that is to believers (Acts 20:31, Romans 15:14, Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:16)
Paul uses the word ‘everyone’ three times in this one verse, some translations use the term “all men.” I believe he is trying to make a point.
Murray Harris says, “there is no special gospel or teaching for a spiritual or intellectual elite.” All the truth of God is for all the people of God, no exceptions allowed. There is not one rule for one and another rule for another, we all need to be warned and taught.
So, why does Paul do it and perhaps face the consequences that come with such an approach? He does so that he might “present” everyone mature or complete or fully equipped in Christ. In short, he does not want any believer to remain in immaturity or ignorance. He is willing to be brave.
“That’s great for Paul,” you might be inclined to say, “but I’m certainly not up to the task nor am I remotely gifted to do this myself, or even inclined to do this.” Ok, this is what Paul will say later on in the letter.
[15] And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:15-16
Paul says this is the responsibility of every Christian. The very words Paul uses in verse 28 to describe his ministry and responsibility he also uses in Colossians 3:15-16 to describe every believers ministry and responsibility to each other.
The words translated “teaching” and “admonishing” and “in all wisdom” in Colossians 3:16 are the same Greek terms found in Colossians 1:28!
The growth and maturity in Christ of every believer is, in a way, the responsibility of every believer in Christ. We grow together as iron sharpens iron. We must look not only to ourselves but to one another, passionately admonishing and wisely teaching so that we all might stand mature in Christ. Don’t you want your fellow believers to be mature in Christ? Then let’s recover the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers.
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