The Judaisers have tried to persuade Colossians to adopt Jewish ordinances. Paul shows they have a vastly superior circumcision of heart. The old nature is dethroned and a new installed. But old sins may re-emerge without these named precautions. Here is Paul's imagery of conquest.

After dismissing the fleshly rites that heretics had begun to introduce to the church, Paul points to the 'heavenly life' and growing the graces that will be perfected in glory - deep feeling, kindness, lowliness, a servant spirit, generous love and grateful contentment.

Explaining how believers are dead, yet commanded to put to death sin. Here is the offensiveness of impurity, the apostle showing how it invades the mind (uncleanness), the heart (inordinate affection or passion) and the will (evil concupiscence or evil longing). Remedies for mortification.

Once saved, the Christian has the infallible help of the Spirit to lay aside the impulses of the old nature, including covetousness, the five distinct forms of anger, and lying.  Progressive renewal also brings rich shafts of knowledge which provide the believer's blessed assurance.

Paul presents four tremendous graces given to believers to exercise and keep in view constantly, lifelong - the doctrine of salvation, the gift of wisdom (here explained), the practice of melody in the heart through psalms and hymns, and a strong awareness of representing Christ.

The perfect text for the new year, providing its own natural headings, challenging believers to live every moment of life under the direction of Christ, to do all for His glory and for Him, and to be thankful for everything day by day.

The rule of doing all in the name of Christ appears in the context of worship and is a warrant for distinctively Christian hymns, but it goes beyond, embracing all our thoughts, words and deeds. Here is how His name influences every aspect of life.

A call to the two continuous commitments of the Christian life - first to persistent prayer (the impediments, the helps, and the branches of prayer); secondly to pray specifically for preachers.

Two verses that commend walking in wisdom toward unbelievers, redeeming or buying up the time, and gracious speech. Here is what the apostle meant by these challenging terms, with counsel for daily conduct and witness to the dying souls to whom we are assigned.