“I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
Colossians 4:18
I’ve thought a lot about these closing words of Paul’s. He is writing to a church battling heresy. The chains of Paul’s imprisonment would have moved over the papyrus paper as he inscribed the words of this letter. The sound of those chains brought the authority to speak God’s truth. Imagine the effect on the soldiers guarding him!
In his letters to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philemon, and Colossians, Paul reminds readers of the cost involved. “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). He had sacrificed much to bring the good news of Jesus, so he tells us to remember his chains. We dare not take it lightly.
As astounding as Paul’s suffering was (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-29), and as much as we do try to remember his chains, these are merely pointing us to Jesus, the One who suffered in our place on the cross and endured the Father’s wrath for our sin, all after living a sinless life for us. Remember Paul’s chains, but more importantly, remember Jesus—the Christ of the book of Colossians—and what He has done for you!
In his letters to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philemon, and Colossians, Paul reminds readers of the cost involved. “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). He had sacrificed much to bring the good news of Jesus, so he tells us to remember his chains. We dare not take it lightly.
As astounding as Paul’s suffering was (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-29), and as much as we do try to remember his chains, these are merely pointing us to Jesus, the One who suffered in our place on the cross and endured the Father’s wrath for our sin, all after living a sinless life for us. Remember Paul’s chains, but more importantly, remember Jesus—the Christ of the book of Colossians—and what He has done for you!
Scripture Focus
Colossians 4:16-18
Insight
Anchor your faith in the God who changes humanity and brings hope into our most desperate times.
Bible In A Year
- Ezekiel 39-40
- Psalm 150
- 2 Timothy 3-4
