I like sharing some of my resources here so that you can also use them for your own personal study! Today I want to use a couple of things from Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek". The teaching for today is all about Colossians 2:15:
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. KJV
This is speaking of what Jesus did for us through His death, burial and resurrection! Anyone who has ever experienced Rick Renner's teaching knows that he is very good at painting pictures with words that make you feel like you were right there! Here is his explanation for a couple of the words in verse 15:
The word "openly" is taken from the word parresia, a word that is used throughout the books of the New Testament to denote boldness or confidence. By using the word parresia, Paul declares that when Jesus was finishing His dealings with Satan, His victory over the devil was no "quiet affair." Quite the contrary! Jesus boldly, confidently, and loudly exposed and displayed this now-defunct foe to Heaven's hosts. Make no mistake! When Jesus "made a shew of them openly," it was quite a spectacular show!
The word "triumph" is taken from the Greek word triambeuo, which is a technical word used to describe a general or an emperor returning home from a grand victory in the enemy's territory. Specifically, the word "triumph" was used to describe the emperor's triumphal parade when he returned home. When a returning emperor or general came striding through the gates on his big, powerful, and beautiful horse, he was accompanied by his fellow victorious warriors, who also appeared glorious after their triumphant battle. As the parade followed, the weaponry and treasures seized from the enemy's territory were grandly displayed for all to see. The grand finale to this triumphal procession was the foreign ruler himself. This ruler had been beaten and bound in chains and was now being forced to walk in disgrace, shame, dishonor, embarrassment, and humiliation as crowds of people came to celebrate his defeat and to get a "peek" at a once-powerful but now totally defeated opponent.
So HERE is a "Rick Renner Paraphrase" of Colossians 2:15:
"...He gallantly strode into Heaven to celebrate His victory and the defeat of Satan and his forces. As part of His triumphal process, He flaunted the spoils seized from the hand of the enemy. Yet the greatest spectacle of all occurred when the enemy himself was openly put on display as bound, disgraced, disabled, defeated, humiliated, and stripped bare...."
Do you see what a difference a little study and meditation can do for your perspective? Make use of all the tools available to you so that you, too, can get to KNOW Him through His Word more accurately! That will make it so much easier to stand strong on the Word and in faith for every area of your life! THAT is how the One, True God expects us to live and operate! Amen! Here is Hillsong United with "Shout Unto God":
Shalom in Him!
