NTS014 Colossians
Notes
Transcript
Handout
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
Author: Paul (and Timothy)
Author: Paul (and Timothy)
2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Audience: The Church at Colossae
Audience: The Church at Colossae
Mostly gentiles but some Jews as well.
There was another intended recipient as well.
16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
Category of literature: Prison Epistle
Category of literature: Prison Epistle
Colossians is a short book with 4 chapters.
The church in Colossae is believed to be planted by Epaphras.
The church in Colossae is believed to be planted by Epaphras.
6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf
The church in Colossae is believed to be planted by Epaphras.
The church in Colossae is believed to be planted by Epaphras.
Paul had never been to Colossae.
The church was planted while Paul was in Ephesus.
Epaphras we a native to Colossae.
Colossae was a “has been” town.
Used to be a thriving city until the Roman road was built to bypass the city.
Known for wool.
Especially black and dyed.
Any thoughts on why Paul had not been to Colossae?
Purpose of writing: To encourage the church in their faith and refute heresy.
Purpose of writing: To encourage the church in their faith and refute heresy.
There was a rising preaching against the preeminence of Christ.
Gnostic thinking said that everything in the flesh was evil.
Paul emphasized Christ humanity.
22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
The Jewish influence tried to put Jewish customs on the Christians.
16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,
19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
We don’t know exactly what Paul heard or knew about the church but we we can understand a lot from his response.
Theme: The preeminence of Christ.
Theme: The preeminence of Christ.
The book is one of the most profound presentations of Christology in the New Testament.
Christ is the image of the invisible God. (1:15)
Christ is the firstborn over all creation. (1:15)
Christ created all things. (1:16)
Christ was before all things. (1:17)
Christ holds all things together. (1:17)
Christ is the head of the body. (1:18)
Christ is preeminent in all things. (1:18)
Christ is the fullness of the Godhead. (1:19)
Christ is the reconciler of all things to God. (1:19)
Key verse: 2:8
Key verse: 2:8
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Outline of the book:
Outline of the book:
1. Opening Greetings (Colossians 1:1-2)
2. Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession (Colossians 1:3-12)
3. The Supremacy of Christ (Colossians 1:13-20)
4. Proclaiming God’s Mystery (Colossians 1:21-2:5)
5. Christ’s Supremacy over Rulers and Powers (Colossians 2:6-19)
6. Our Identity with Christ’s Death and Resurrection (Colossians 2:20-3:17)
7. Living in Community under Christ’s Supremacy (Colossians 3:18-4:1)
8. Closing Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession (Colossians 4:2-6)
9. Closing Greetings and Signature (Colossians 4:7-18)
What place does Christ have in your life?
What place does Christ have in your life?
Are we driven by seeking Christ only and following His example?
Do we end up putting ourselves first?
Do we put tradition first?
Do we put comfort first?
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,