Proclaiming Christ

Addressing a congregation that struggled with false teachers who promoted elitism, the apostle Paul has been unafraid in Colossians 1 to stress that the gospel is for everyone. Instead of a message that bears fruit only among the most educated or most spiritual, the true gospel finds adherents the world over (vv. 5a–6). It will achieve a cosmic restoration, for nothing can go untouched by the Savior’s work (vv. 19–20). Furthermore, if these statements of the universality of the gospel and the sufficiency of the Savior are not enough, Paul tells us in verse 28 that his ministry is to proclaim Christ, “warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom.” Jesus is not to be proclaimed to a mere few — He must be preached to everyone.

Warning and teaching are the two sides to the apostle’s work. The warning aspect of Christian proclamation entails admonishing professing believers who are tempted to stray from the faith. Following the apostolic model, we exhort others, whether or not we are ordained pastors, to hold fast to the biblical Jesus in all circumstances (Acts 20:29–31; 1 Cor. 4:14; Heb. 6:1–12). Teaching sets forth Christian truth to edify the body of Christ (1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 John 9). All believers have a share in the teaching ministry. Some may be ordained to the teaching office, but all believers, in whom Christ’s Word dwells richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, at least informally (Col. 3:16). Likewise, we must readily hear instruction in the Word at all times and throughout our entire lives. John Calvin writes, “No one is so eminent in respect of wisdom as to be entitled to exempt himself from tuition [instruction].”

Paul — indeed all Christians — work to present “everyone mature in Christ” — equipped and ready to fulfill the specific work that the Father has given to each of us (Col. 1:28). This can be a toil and a struggle (v. 29), as any full-time preacher would readily confess. But the work of Christian instruction is indeed difficult for us all, for even if our children are our only students, it can be discouraging to instruct them again and again when it seems that they are just not understanding Jesus and who they are to be in Him. Thankfully, like Paul, we have been empowered by the Spirit and will receive the strength necessary to endure in teaching His truth as we rely on Him (v. 29; see also Phil. 4:13).