The book of colossians purpose, besides showing the supremacy, sufficiency, and divinity of christ, is how christians are to live in the world and before god col 3. Paul calls tychicus a faithful minister and fellow bondslave in the lord colossians 4. A free bible commentary on pauls letter to the colossians in easyenglish. In colossians, paul mentions the faithful and beloved brother, onesimus col. Summary of the book of colossians story of the bible. It was written to counter and respond to heretical teachings and encourage believers to. The books of reference used for this study of the book of colossians were the bible, king james version, called the companion bible, publisher kregel. Philippians emphasizes the kenosis christ became a servant philippians 2. David guzik commentary on colossians 1, which emphasizes the greatness of jesus. Watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. We are encouraged to continue in him in the same way we received him by. Paul is worried that the colossians will turn aside from this teaching and become captives of false doctrines and commandments. Colossians 1 new american standard bible nasb thankfulness for spiritual attainments. This letter is a glorious reminder of everything christ did for us in conquering sin and death.
The city of colosse is not even mentioned in the book of acts. Lots of cultural and history information to allow a better understanding of the deeper meanings of the scriptures. Colossians was written from rome during pauls first imprisonment, about 6162 ad. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and. In colossians, paul encourages the colossian christians to see jesus. Ephesians, colossians, philemon discusses the origin, authorship, purpose, and contents of these new testament letters. The book of colossians addresses problems the church at colossae faced, and it challenges believers to examine all of life and be transformed through the resurrection and love of jesus. We pray that the holy spirit will help you to understand gods purpose in jesus.
The book of colossians was likely written around a. Colossians was likely penned, as were ephesians, philippians, and philemon, during pauls first imprisonment at rome 1. Jesus christ exalted chapter 1 christianity exalted chapters 2 union with christ exalted. But paul said that the false teachers were not true christians. Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible god, containing within himself the fullness of deity colossians 2. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. That colossians is a genuine letter of paul is usually not disputed. Gnosticism and some forms of jewish mysticism greatly esteemed these supposed mediators, and considered them angelic beings of a sort. Questions and places to record your thoughts and answers throughout.
It shows his supremacy over all things, explaining what our godly response should be. Enduring word bible commentary colossians chapter 1. It was written to counter and respond to heretical teachings and encourage believers to serve with fervor and passion. Verse 19 paul referred to christ as the head of the body in colossians 1. Great book for a group study which is how we are using it. Jesus christ exalted chapter 1 christianity exalted chapters 2 union with christ exalted chapter 34. The first half of the book of colossians is a theological treatise that includes one of the most profound presentations of christology anywhere in the new testament. Verses 34 paul often asked the christians to pray for him romans 15. In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. Ephesians, colossians, philemon understanding the bible. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to the strongs concordance numbers.
Colossians 1 bible commentary matthew henry concise. Only the message of christ is the word of truth and the faith colossians 1. You can read about this in the books called exodus, deuteronomy and joshua in. Epistle to the colossians read the bible online bible study tools. Follow christ instead of philosophy, asceticism, or legalism colossians 2. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. Scholarly yet easy to understand, this volume explores the nuances of pauls messages to the church, which deal with many of the same issues faced by the church today. The primary difference between the ephesians and colossians is that the colossians had a problem, and it is on this problem that the apostle is primarily focusing. Paul reminded the colossians several times in this letter that they should thank god see 1. The members had learned of gods truth from epaphras, who was a faithful minister of christ 1. This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of colossians. Colossians 1 nasb thankfulness for spiritual attainments. Colossians niv paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the.
Paul was careful to warn the colossians that angels should not be worshipped colossians 2. Paul is a good model for them at the start of this letter 1. The false teachers and other people said that christians were not good enough. Read and study colossians 2 with the versebyverse bible commentary. Paul took care to show that jesus did the work of reconciliation himself colossians 1. Summary of the book of colossians summary of hebrews. Shortly after pauls letter was delivered, the entire valley was devastated by a severe earthquake, which further reduced colossaes importance as a city. The apostle paul wrote this letter to christians living in the small city of colossae. Understanding the message of christ is essential to fulfilling his mission.
Colossians 1 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. Tychicus was a coworker of paul who would have been able to help the colossian believers understand and apply the apostles teachings in the letter. The epistle to the colossians was written by paul the apostle and included with his prison epistles. The book of colossians is an important look into the mystery of christ which was hidden for generations and now disclosed to the saints col. Because of his divine nature, jesus is sovereign, above all things with an authority given him by the father. The book of colossians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. The numerous parallels of vocabulary and matters discussed in ephesians and colossians link these epistles together. The book of colossians was likely written between a.
The book of colossians is about the supremacy of the person of christ. Understanding the book of colossians the daily platform. Introduction to the book of colossians learn religions. Colossians 2 continues to explain the mystery of god, which is christ. Also, there are many personal references common to philemon and colossians. The book of colossians essay example 862 words bartleby. It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle and timothy to the church in colossae, a small phrygian city near laodicea and approximately 100 miles 160 km from ephesus in asia minor. Indeed, he is the image of the invisible god, the sovereign and preeminent one among all creation col. Evidence in favor of pauline authorship is the many notable similarities to his other writings. For example, the description of the church in colossians 2. Paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, and timothy our brother, to gods holy people in colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in christ.
Nov 01, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. So paul sent this letter, along with the letters to philemon and to the ephesians, with tychicus, accompanied by onesimus colossians 4. We must know and understand the gospel so as not to be led astray by subtle forms of legalism and heresy. Understanding the ministry of the gospel pauls ministry. The apostle paul salutes the colossians, and blesses god for their faith, love, and hope. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to jesus. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. The landscape of the book of colossians scholars believe colossians was penned in a prison in rome, to the church at colossae, in the lycus river valley, now modern turkey. A workplace application of the theme of mutuality is alluded to in colossians and discussed in pauls letter to philemon, the shortest book of the bible. It seems that paul did not start the congregation in this city.
Colossians christ is the theme and the periphery of the circle where christian living is the center. The book of colossians gives the clearest, most comprehensive teaching on christology of all pauls epistles. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Paul charges archippus, take heed to your ministry which you have received in the lord, that you may keep fulfilling it colossians 4. This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of colossians. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. Steve pettit, begins a series entitled, seeking things above understanding the book of colossians from the chapel service on 09052016. Book of colossians free bible study questions, class book, workbook, assignments, and study material. Understanding the book of colossians from the chapel service on 09052016. Colossians emphasizes the pleroma christ is the fullness of god colossians 2. He has no equal among the religious leaders of the world religions because he and he alone is gods son and the way, the truth, and the life john 14. The book of colossians is a letter to the church of colossae, encouraging them to continue their walk in the faith, of which paul has ascribed to, and resist the philosophy and empty deceit of human tradition. Outline of the book of colossians greeting, thanksgiving, and prayer colossians 1.
Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ. Verses 4, 8, 18, and 2023 are rarely, if ever, examined, much less taught and preached on. Mar, 2019 the landscape of the book of colossians scholars believe colossians was penned in a prison in rome, to the church at colossae, in the lycus river valley, now modern turkey. When you read each of these verses you see that paul was warning the colossian christians. Some due to length, have been shortened into continued sections. Sep 03, 20 the book of colossians is an important look into the mystery of christ which was hidden for generations and now disclosed to the saints col. Before paul wrote this letter to the christians in colossae, he had never been to their city colossians 2. They are reader friendly, nontechnical, and appropriately succinct. The letter to philemon tells us that onesimus was the slave of a christian named philemon philem. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. By comparing the epistle to the colossians with that written to philemon, it is reasonable to suppose that the church at colosse met in their home cf. They were on the verge of losing their understanding of the power by which christian life is lived.
Bju president steve pettit begins a discipleship series entitled, seeking things above. He had used the same description of epaphrus colossians 1. Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. This was about the same time he wrote ephesians and philemon. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of.
May 02, 2020 timothy is also given some credit colossians 1. Thanksgiving and prayer we always thank god, the father of our lord jesus christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in christ jesus and of the love you have for all. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. They ought to add extra things verses 1618 to be real christians.