Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Colossians Chapter 4
Metaphysically Interpreting Colossians 4:1-1
4:1Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.[TruthUnity note: verse 1 is included with the end of Colossians 3:18-25 according to the outline of the NRSV. So it has been separated here from Colossians 4:2-6]
Metaphysically Interpreting Colossians 4:2-6
4:2Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; 4:3withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; 4:4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
4:5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 4:6Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
Metaphysically Interpreting Colossians 4:7-18
4:7All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord: 4:8whom I have sent you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts;4:9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.
4:10Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him), 4:11and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me. 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 4:13For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis. 4:14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you. 4:15Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in their house. 4:16And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea. 4:17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
4:18The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.
September 16, 1923: Colossians 4:14
Luke, who has been chosen as the subject for this lesson, because he is one of the great men of the New Testament, was great, not because he was a physician, but because he became an ardent and faithful exponent of the Christ teachings. His writings exalt the one true Physician, Jesus Christ.
Luke was associated with Paul in his ministry. This was not because Paul lacked faith in the healing power of God through Jesus Christ. Those who believe that Paul took Luke with him in a professional capacity lack faith and understanding regarding the real import and far-reaching power of the healing truths which Jesus taught and practiced. Because of this lack of faith and understanding today, modern missionaries who are sent to foreign lands rely upon medicine and surgery for healing, instead of demonstrating the saving power of Jesus Christ. But the original apostles healed as their exemplar healed, by the Spirit of God.
Paul refers to Luke as “the beloved physician.” Metaphysically this would indicate that Luke belongs especially to that phase of the intelligence which has to do with keeping the body well; as a missionary, Luke carries the healing message to all parts of the body. Paul and Luke working together symbolize the converted will and spiritual illumination united in presenting the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the entire being.
The special journey of Paul and Luke into Macedonia as told in a part of our lesson for today, is symbolical of the opening up in consciousness of the word of truth where it has never before been realized. The body is pervaded by a life and an intelligence which have formed a little world of their own. The body has no knowledge of the higher life of the Spirit. It must be regenerated, born from above, through the power of the quickening, redeeming Word. Healing thoughts and healing words taken to every part of the body awaken it to the understanding and manifestation of true health.
Anyone can prove the therapeutic power of a spiritual thought by mentally affirming day after day, say for thirty days, that he is filled with divine life and divine energy. At the end of that time he will have the evidence of the truth of the idea in a stronger life-flow in his organism. Thus the observance of true religion and an extension of its truths into the conscious, everyday thought, will eventually be recognized by man as the one and only source of his health. All healing methods that do not take the spiritual man into consideration are temporal and transitory. There is but one way to attain wholeness, and that is the way of the spiritual man, mystically called Jesus Christ. Luke, the illumined healing intelligence in us, is, ever seeking to impress this truth more and more deeply into the very cells of our bodies and throughout our entire being.
– UNITY magazine.
September 16, 1923: Colossians 4:14
How did Paul describe Luke? Paul referred to Luke as “the beloved physician.” Metaphysically this would indicate that Luke belongs to that phase of intelligence which has to do with healing the body. In other words, Luke represents the light, or intelligence, that carries the healing message to all parts of the body.
October 6, 1940: Colossians 4:14
What is the meaning of the name Luke? Luke is a contraction of the Roman name Lucas, meaning intelligence or enlightenment.
Why was the Gospel according to Luke written? The purpose was to strengthen the faith of Theophilus. Instilling certainty was its aim.
Who was Demas? He was a Greek convert to Christianity who accompanied Paul on some of his journeys. Later he dropped the [?].
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-16-2014
