Colossians Bible Study Week 1

Context

Author

Paul

Date

AD 60-62

While Paul is imprisoned in Rome

Purpose

It appears that there was a false teaching in the Colossian Church.

Colossians 2:18 (ESV)

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,

Colossians 2:18 (ESV)

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,

Instead of directly addressing this teaching, Paul tells the Colossians who the real Jesus is.

Themes

The perfection of Christ

Our completeness in Christ

Layout

Ch. 1 and 2 layout the theological framework

Ch. 3 and 4 discuss the application

Greeting and Thanksgiving Col. 1:1-8

Paul’s Prayer Col. 1:9-14

The Christ Hymn and Application Col. 1:15-23

Paul’s Ministry Col. 1:24-2:5

Paul Confronts False Teaching Col. 2:6-23

Paul’s Exhortation Col. 3:1-17

Instructions For Relationships Col. 3:18-4:6

Conclusion Col. 4:7-18

Read 1-2

Colossians 1:1–2 (ESV)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Who is Paul?

Who is Paul specifically writing to?

What do we know about this church?

Read 3-5

Colossians 1:3–5 (ESV)

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,

Why does Paul thank God for the Colossians?

He knows their good works and is encouraged by their faith

What is a saint?

All believers

1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV)

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Why do Christians love others?

It’s commanded

We have hope in Heaven and are content

The hope of Jesus has filled us with His goodness

What are we hopeful for?

Why does Paul call the Gospel the ‘Word of the Truth’?

Jesus is the truth and the gospel is His word

Read 6-8

Colossians 1:6–8 (ESV)

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, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

What does it mean to bear fruit?

In this verse what does Paul say is bearing fruit?

What is grace?

Read 9-14

Colossians 1:9–14 (ESV)

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

What was Paul’s prayer for the Colossians?

What is an inheritance?

What is our inheritance?

What is redemption?

What does Jesus redeem us from?