The Epistle of Apostle Paul to the Colossians

# Author: Apostle Paul
# Date: A. D. 61
# Theme: The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ
# Key words: Fullness, Wisdom, knowledge, Mystery

1. Outline of Colossians:

I. Introduction 1:1-14
II. Christ's supremacy displayed 1:15- 2:7
III. Christ's supremacy and sufficiency defended 2:8-23
IV. Christ's supremacy demanded in Christian living 3:1-4:6
V. Conclusion 4:17-18

2. Background:

Colosse, a small town in the province of Asia, about 100 miles east of Ephesus. Paul never visited this town called Colosse. The colossian church was an outgrowth of his 3 years ministry in Ephesus about A. D. 52-55(see Acts 19:10;20:31).

" And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks"( Acts 19:10).

"Therefore watch and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears" (Acts 20:31).

Epaphras, a native of the town, and probably a convert of the Apostle, was likely the church's founder and leader (1:7, 8; 4:12, 13). The church apparently met in Philemon's home(Philem.2).

# Epaphras, our dear fellow servant
# Epaphras is a faithful minister of Christ
# Epaphras is one of you, a bond servant of Christ
# he is labouring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Conservative scholars believe that Paul wrote this letter during his first Roman imprisonment, around A. D. 61. Tychicus took the letters to the colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians to their respective destinations.

3. Purpose of Colossians:

Paul wrote :
(1) to combat the dangerous false teaching at colosse that was supplanting Christ's centrality and supremacy in Creation, revelation, redemption and the church,
(2) to make clear the apostolic revelation of Christ as the Son of God; and
(3) to stress the true nature of life in Christ and its fruit in the believer.

4. Survey of Colossians:

After greeting the church and expressing gratitude for their faith, love and hope, and for their continued progress as believers, Paul focuses on two key issues:

# Correct doctrine ( 1:13-2:23) and
# Practical exhortations(3:1-4:6).

Theologically, Paul emphasizes the true character and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the image of the invisible God(1:15), the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form(2:9), the Creator of all things(1:16, 17), the head of the Church(1:18) and the all sufficient source of our salvation(1:14, 20-22).
Whereas Jesus Christ is completely adequate, the colossian heresy is utterly inadequate-vain, deceitful and humanistic(2:8) ; superficially spiritual and arrogant(2:18) ; and without power against the sinful desires of the body(2:23).
In his practical exhortations, Paul appeals for life grounded in the complete sufficiency of Christ as the only way to progress in Christian living. The reality of the indwelling Christ(1:27) must be evident in Christian behaviour(3:1-17), domestic relationships(3:18-4:1) and spiritual discipline(4:2-6).

5. Special Features:

Three major features characterize this letter:
(1) It strictly affirms Christ's full deity(2:9) and contains one of the most exalted passages in the NT about His glory(1:15-23).
(2) More than any other NT book, Colossians focuses on the twofold truth of Christ's preeminence and believer's completeness in Him.
(3) It is sometimes regarded as "twin letter" with Ephesians, because the two have certain resemblances in content (cf.the outlines to the two letters) and written about the same time.

6. Keys to Colossians:

Key word: The Preeminence of Christ
Key verses: Colossians 2:9, 10 and 3:1, 2
Key Chapter: Colossians 3

Key word:

The resounding theme in Colossians is the preeminence and sufficiency of Jesus the Christ, in all things. The believer is complete in Him and lacks nothing.
" In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge"(Colossians 2:3).
" For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily"(Colossians 2:9).
There is no need for speculation, mystical visions or ritualistic regulations as though faith in Christ were insufficient. A proper view of Christ is the antidote for heresy. A firm adherence to the gospel will give them stability and resistance to opposing influences.

Key verses:

" For in Him dwells all the fullness of Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, Who is the Head of all principality and power"(2:9, 10).
" If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth"(3:1, 2).

Key Chapter:

Colossians 3. Chapter 3 links the three themes of Colossians(see "key word") together showing their cause and effect relationships.
Because the believer is risen with Christ (3:1-4), he is to put off the old man and put on the new (3:5-17), which will result in holiness in all relationships (3:18-25).

7. Christ Revealed:

Paul lifts up Christ as the centre and circumference of all that exists. Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, He is the exact revelation and representation of the Father (1:15), as well the embodiment of the full deity (1:19;2:9). Jesus Who is the Lord in creation (1:16), in the church (1:18), and in salvation (3:11) indwells the believers and is their " hope of glory" (1:27). Jesus the supreme Creator and Sustainer of all things (1:16, 17) is also a sufficient Savior for His people (2:10).

8. The Holy Spirit at work:

Colossians has a single explicit reference to the Holy Spirit, used in association with love (1:8). "who also declared to us your love in the Spirit". Some scholars also understand " wisdom and spiritual understanding" in 1:9 in terms of the gifts of the Spirit. For Paul, the Lordship of Christ in the believer's life is the most crucial and clearest evidence of the Spirit's presence.
"... that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Colossians 1:9).

9. Content of Colossians:

The major doctrines of Christianity: the deity, absolute Lordship and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Colossians sets forth Christ as supreme Lord in whose sufficiency the believers find completeness (1:15-20 ). The first two chapters present and defend this truth; the later two unfold practical implications.
Jesus Christ's supremacy hinges upon His uniqueness as God's eternal beloved Son and Heir (1:13, 15 ). In Him dwells the totality of divine attributes, essence, and power (1:19;2:9 ). Jesus is the exact revelation and representation of the Father, and has priority in time and primacy in rank over all creation (1:15 ). His sufficiency depends on His superiority. The conviction of Christ's absolute sovereignty gave impulse to Paul's missionary activity (1:27-29 ).
Apostle Paul declares Christ's Lordship in three primary ways, at the same time proclaiming His adequacy.
First, Jesus Christ is Lord over all creation. His creative authority encompasses the whose material and spiritual universe (1:16). Since this includes the angels and planets (1:16;2:10), Jesus Christ deserves to be worshipped instead of the angels (2:18). Further, there is no reason to fear demonic- spirit powers or to seek superstitiously for protection from them, because Jesus Christ has neutralised their power at the cross (2:15), and colossians shared His triumphant resurrection power (2:20).
As sovereign and sufficient potentate, Jesus Christ is not only Creator of the Universe but also its Sustainer(1:17), its uniting Principle, and its goal (1:16).
Second, Jesus Christ is preeminent in the Church as its Creator and Savior (1:18). He is its life and Leader, and to Him alone may the Church submit. The Colossians must remain rooted in Him (2:6, 7) rather than became enchanted with every speculation and traditions (2:8, 16-18).
Third, Jesus Christ is supreme in salvation (3:11). In Him all man made distinctions fade and barriers fall. He has made all Christians into one family in which all members ate equal in forgiveness and adoption, and He is all that matters, first and last.
" And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him Who created him, where there is neither greek nor jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all in all" (Colossians 3:10, 11).
Therefore, contrary to the heresy, there are no special qualifications or requirements for experiencing God's favor (2:8-10).
Chapter 3 and 4 deal with the practical implications of Christ in the Colossian's daily life. Paul's use of the word "Lord" nine times in 3:1-4:18 indicates that Christ's supremacy impinges upon every aspect of their relationships and activities.

11. Reading Colossians:

The Book of Colossians should be read in 2 days according to the following schedule:
# 1:1-2:23
# 3:1-4:18

12. Memory Verses:

# Colossians 1:14, 27,28
# Colossians 2:3, 9,10
# Colossians 3:4, 16
# Colossian 4:2, 5,6

Review Questions:

1. What are the three major features that characterise Colossians?
2. Who is Epaphras? Explain his ministry in Colosse.
3. Explain the Lordship of Jesus Christ in three primary ways declared by Apostle Paul.
4. Read all 4 chapters of Colossians in one sitting, and write down your observations.
5. Write the following memory verses from your heart:
# Colossians 1:14, 27
# Colossians 2:3
# Colossian 3:16
# Colossians 4:5.

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