Colossians Introduction
"Jesus is not enough." This was the message of a group of Colossian heretics. So the apostle Paul writes to correct the error and remind a church in crisis that Jesus is always enough. He is the center of reality, in him all things hold together, and only through him is there freedom from the powers of guilt and shame.
Introduction to Colossians https://virtualbiblestudy.com/colossians/
Note: Paul's letter to Colossae was carried by Tychicus & Onesimus for Paul.
Prison Epistles
Jesus: The All-Sufficient Christ
Colossians 1:1-2
Who wrote the book?
The apostle Paul is the author of this epistle. (1:1) The literary structure and style is that of Paul. The historical setting shows it to be the work of the apostle Paul. Most scholars agree it was written by the apostle Paul. It was written to the church in Colossae. Timothy and Epaphras probably established the church in Colossae during Paul’s three-year stay in Ephesus while on his third missionary journey (Colossians 1:7; Acts 19:10, 26). Colossae was located in the Lycus Valley near to Hierapolis and Laodicea. The church was primarily a Gentile church (1:21-27).
Before Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Colossae, he had never been to their city (Colossians 2:1). This helps explain the personal greetings he included at the end of the letter, a practice he usually reserved for letters to churches he had not visited (for example, Romans). Paul sought to develop personal connections with the people he hoped to teach and serve, rather than just going around from city to city asserting his apostolic authority. The more personal tone at the close of this letter would have been especially significant in creating a connection with the Colossian believers, given the fact that part of Paul’s reason for writing involved calling out the heretical teachers who had infiltrated the Colossian church.
Where are we?
All agree it was written from Rome during Paul’s first imprisonment. It is one of the prison epistles. The other prison epistles are Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon. In AD 60–62, during his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul penned this letter to the Colossian church after he had received a report that they were struggling with a Christological heresy. The report came from Epaphras, likely the leader of the church at Colossae and a convert of Paul’s from his more than two-year ministry in Ephesus. Epaphras had come to Rome in part to serve Paul during his imprisonment (Philemon 1:23) but also to confide in him regarding the dangerous teachings the Colossians were hearing. So Paul sent this letter, along with the letters to Philemon and to the Ephesians, with Tychicus, accompanied by Onesimus (Colossians 4:7; Philemon 1:10–12). Tychicus was a coworker of Paul who would have been able to help the Colossian believers understand and apply the apostle’s teachings in the letter.
Why is Colossians so important?
The church at Colossae was under attack from false teachers who were denigrating the deity of Jesus; they were teaching that He was not actually God. Though Paul had never been to the church itself, he addressed these issues head-on. The nature of Jesus Christ as Creator and Redeemer was nonnegotiable, so Paul wrote to them that he might bring his wisdom to bear on this difficult and trying situation. It was critical to him that this church know God in His greatness and glory, rather than in the deficient view given them by the false teachers (Colossians 1:25; 2:1–2).
There were Judaizing teachers in Colossae who were seeking to lead the Christians away from the pure gospel of Christ. These Judaizing teachers seem to have been heavily influenced by the Essenes. This combination included keeping the special days of Judaism, angel worship and asceticism of the Essenes. Many see a Gnostic influence in Colossae. This epistle was probably written too early for much Gnostic influence. Gnosticism was a heresy in the second century. Although its roots go back to the first century, it was not fully developed at this time. The false teaching in Colossae was a strange combination of Judaism and paganism. Paul refuted the errors by exalting the person and deity of Jesus. He presented Jesus as the one Mediator between God and man thereby excluding angel worship. Paul taught Jesus was the only means of sanctification, thereby excluding asceticism.
The City of Colossae
The city of Colossae was located on the river Lycus in the southwestern part of Phrygia. The city was located about 110 miles east of Ephesus, in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It had once been a large city; however, it had declined due to the rivalry of Laodicea and Hierapolis. This valley suffered a devastating earthquake in A.D. 61. Today nothing remains of Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis. There were a number of Jews in Colossae. The soil was very fertile. There were many sheep in the area. Both Colossae and Laodicea were noted for their woolen goods. Laodicea was eleven miles south of Colossae. Hierapolis was thirteen miles from Colossae and six miles from Laodicea.
What's the big idea?
In this book, the apostle Paul described Jesus with some of the loftiest language in all the New Testament, focusing on Christ’s preeminence and sufficiency in all things. Colossians is the most Christ-centered book in the New Testament. Paul presented Christ as the center of the universe, not only as the active Creator but also as the recipient of creation—in His taking on of human flesh. Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible God, containing within Himself the fullness of Deity (Colossians 2:9). Because of His divine nature, Jesus is sovereign, above all things with an authority given Him by the Father. As such, Jesus is also Head over the church. He has reconciled all things to Himself through His death on the cross, making believers alive to God and setting them on the path to right living. This proper view of Christ served as the antidote for the Colossian heresy as well as a building block for Christian life and doctrine both then and now.
Paul's purpose is to refute the Colossian heresy. To accomplish this goal, he exalts Christ as the very image of God, the Creator, the preexistent sustainer of all things, the head of the church, the first to be resurrected, the fullness of deity (God) in bodily form, and the reconciler.
How do I apply this?
Your view of Jesus Christ will impact every area of your life. Many today want only practical instruction and helps for living, shunning topics such as doctrine and theology because they seem to be out of touch with their day-to-day reality. Paul’s view was different. He saw that the Christological problems in the Colossian church had practical importance as well. Believers have died with Christ; therefore, we need to die to our sins. We have also been raised with Christ; therefore, we must live well in Him and put on qualities that are motivated by Christian love. And because He is Lord over all, the life of the Christian is a life of submission to Jesus. Are you following after Jesus as you should? Our faith in Jesus Christ should transform the relationships we have in every area of our lives—in our homes, our churches, and our world.
OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS
I. Christ is The Head Of All Things In Creation 1:1-29
A. Address And Greeting 1:1-2
B. Thanksgiving For The Faith Of Colossian Christians 1:3-8
C. Prayer For Their Progress In Christ 1:9-23
D. The Apostle's Joy In His Suffering And Labors For Christ 1:24-29
I. Christ is The Head Of All Things In Creation 1:1-29
A. Address And Greeting 1:1-2
B. Thanksgiving For The Faith Of Colossian Christians 1:3-8
C. Prayer For Their Progress In Christ 1:9-23
D. The Apostle's Joy In His Suffering And Labors For Christ 1:24-29
II. Don’t Be Led Away From Christ The Head 2:1-23
A. Importance Of The Subject 2:1-7
B. Exhortation To Steadfastness 2:8-15
C. Warnings Against Ritualistic Prohibitions And Against Angel Worship 2:16-19
D. The Importance Of Their Dying With Christ 2:20-23
III. Live As Those Who Have Risen With Christ 3:1-4:6
A. Fellowship With The Exalted Christ The Motivation To The New Life 3:1-4
B. Exhortation - Negative And Positive 3:5-17
C. Special Precepts Concerning Household Relations 3:18-4:1
D. Exhortations Concerning Prayer And Aliens 4:2-6
IV. Concluding Exhortations 4:7-18
A. Personal Intelligence 4:7-9
B. Salutations And Messages 4:10-17
C. Farewell Greetings 4:18
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