Hapax Legomena in Colossians - Colossians - Part 35

We are not done with Colossians. Far from it. This is a rich book and we are just going to change gears. There are many unique concepts given and words used in this books. I plan to explore the uniqueness of the book.

If you want to do a neat study look up the term 'Hapax Legomena' in relationship to a book of the Bible. It is a term associated with unique usage. Here is a list of verses and Greek words (translated into English) that are only used in this book and nowhere else in the Bible. They are the 'Hapax Legomena' of Colossians. I excluded names of places.


1:5 hear before
1:10 pleasing
1:16 visible
1:18 pre-eminent
1:20 make peace
1:23 shift
1:24 complete
2:4 beguiling speech
2:5 firmness
2:8 make a prey of
2:8 philosophy
2:9 deity
2:9 bodily
2:11 put off
2:14 bond
2:14 nail
2:16 new moon
2:18 disqualify
2:18 take a stand on
2:20 submit to regulations
2:22 use
2:23 rigor of devotion
2:23 severity
2:23 indulgence
3:8 foul talk
3:13 complaint
3:15 rule
3:15 thankful
3:21 discourage
3:24 reward
4:10 cousin
4:11 comfort

A word never used anywhere else is not easy to understand. We need context to gain understanding. Many of these words have great theological significance because they introduce new concepts or perspectives.

I hope that list is a blessing to you. Over the next few days I plan to reread each of the verses associated with these words in mind and ask God to reveal the unique concepts presented.

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." - Proverbs 30:5 KJV

Yes, Thank You God.

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Show Us The Father

A Greek scholar named Kenneth Wuest has a three volume set. It is a badly indexed treasure chest of theology (maybe the newer versions have a better index). I woke up wanting to read some of the golden nuggets in volume III this morning. So good...

On page 85 Wuest translates John 1:18 this way:

"God in his invisible essence no one has ever seen. The only begotten God who is constantly in the bosom of the Father, that one has fully explained him."

"Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? ' " - John 14:9 ESV

The Father was and is very pleased with His Son. Jesus as a man who was seen... reflected the heart of the Father who was not seen.

Most of the day yesterday I was thinking of this verse from Luke 10.

"And he said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.' " - Luke 10:2 ESV

Jesus diverted the pressure to God. His instruction pointed to God. He fully reflected His Father's heart of grace and His Father's willingness to provide provision for the work at hand.

There are seasons when God's willingness seems hidden from us. Jesus is the revealing of the Father. He goes and sends people. He is the gentle shepherd with healing in His hands.

Today if Christ is our sufficiency we will see and experience the Father.

"I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God." - John 16:25-27 ESV

Today can be a day of asking and of 'plain speech'. I believe God will do things in our midst and show us His thinking if we approach Him through the doorway that is His Son's life.

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