Colossians Introduction

Introduction

What determines your value and worth?

In real estate, there are three things that matter. . . location, location, location!

Where a house is located in the city, its surrounding neighbors, or the proximity to desirable areas dictate the ultimate value of a home.

No matter how nice, well kept, or extravagant the house is, if it is in a bad location, then its value will be significantly less than if it was in a good location.

Also, the location of a house dictates the way the house and property should be kept.

Normally there are standards of how houses and lawns should look if they are in certain neighborhoods.

So, where a house is located determines its worth and how it should function.

In many ways, our lives are like a house. . . the three things that matter are location, location, location.

If we are “in Adam,” then our home resides in the domain of darkness.

We children of wrath, enslaved to our sin, and enemies of God.

In Adam, we are dead in our sins and completely hopeless.

However, if we are in Christ then our home is in the Kingdom of God.

We are children of God, free from sin, and holy and blameless in God’s sight.

In Christ, we are free to walk and delight in the ways of the Lord and enjoy a relationship with gracious and faithful creator.

The location of our lives makes all the difference. . . and we are either in Adam or in Christ.

This is the message that Paul wanted to communicate to the church at Colossae. . . because since their lives were hidden with Christ in God as followers of Jesus, they must no longer fall pray to the false teachings of the enemy that they need a “higher philosophy” other than Jesus.

Because they are now in the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son, they must no longer walk as children of darkness, but rather as children of light.

Tonight, as we start our study in Colossians, the core truth we need to know is this: Christ is all, and being united to him by faith should change everything.

So, as we start this study, we will begin reading the introduction to the letter in verses 1-2 and discussing some key concepts to help us understand the context of the letter so we can interpret and apply it correctly.

Greeting (v. 1-2)

Colossians 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Pray

When we study a book of the bible, there are some core concepts we must understand that give us the historical and literary context in which it was written.

We must know these concepts because the Bible was not written to us but for us.

The letter to the Colossians was not written to the Christian church living in the 21st century, but the Christian church in the 1st century. . . however, the theological truths and instructions are for us and still apply to us today because the Bible is God’s eternal word for his people to help them know him and love him.

These concepts are things you need to know as you study the Bible for yourself.

Authorship

In verse 1, Paul introduces himself as the author of the letter.

However, despite what verse 1 says, Paul’s authorship is questioned by critical scholars due to the supposed differences in language and theology in Colossians compared with Paul’s other letters.

Nevertheless, response to these claims, there is strong evidence Paul wrote the letter for four reasons:

The Pattern, Common Language, and Biographical Details

The pattern of the letter as well as many phrases and themes follows Romans, 1 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon, which are all letters that no scholars question as Pauline.

The biographical details of his mission and co-workers are also similar in all the letters where Paul’s authorship is not in question.

Acceptance by the Early Church.

Ignatius (110 AD), Polycarp (156 AD), and Marcion (170 AD) along with other church fathers in the late second and early third century accepted and taught the Pauline authorship of Colossians.

Destruction of Colossae

Colossae was destroyed in an earthquake in 60-62 AD and was never rebuilt. Thus, a later date for the letter (2nd century) would be impossible if the city did not exist then.

Salutation and Signature of the letter.

If the letter is ascribed by Paul and we have all of the other internal and external evidence, then we have no reason to doubt its authenticity.

Why is Pauline authorship important/why should we care?

Because it gives the letter the authority of the risen Jesus.

Paul describes himself in verse 1 as “an apostle,” which means he was one of the twelve who saw and was commissioned by the risen Christ (Acts 9).

Paul’s teaching in Colossians is not “new” but was given to him by Jesus (Galatians 2:6).

He opens this letter with the title “apostle” so the church can know what he writes comes from the authority of Jesus, and as Christians, they should listen and trust what Paul says.

This is important because Paul confronts a false teaching in the church and the Colossians need to know that this confrontation comes from the authority of the Lord Jesus.

However, Paul exhibits humility in his introduction by saying he is an apostle not because of his strength or charisma, but it is by “God’s will.”

So, his letter combines both authority and humility.

Provenance and Date

Since Paul is the author, the letter was written in 60-62 AD while Paul was most likely in prison in Rome (Acts 28:16).

We know Paul was in prison because he mentions his “chains” at the end of the letter (Colossians 4:18).

At the end of verse 1, Paul says Timothy is also with him because he shared in Paul’s ministry on a permanent basis.

The letter to Philemon was also written at the same time and sent along with the letter to the Colossians by Epaphras.

The other “prison epistles” of Ephesians and Philippians were written by Paul while he was in house arrest in Rome, and Colossians and Ephesians have many similarities.

Destination Audience

Paul identifies the audience in verse 2 as the “saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae.”

Colossae was part of the three cities in the Lycus Valley along with Laodecia (mentioned in Revelation 3:14-22) and Hierapolis.

Colossae was an occupied Roman city and was very important city in the Roman empire in the first century.

Paul describes the Colossians as “saints” and “faithful brothers in Christ” which means he writes to the churches and Christians at Colossae.

Paul did not plant the church, nor had he ever visited it (Colossians 2:1). Instead Ephaphras, after hearing Paul proclaim the gospel in Ephesus, went back to Colossae and planted the church (Colossians 1:7-8).

The churches at Colossae consisted of both Jewish and Gentile believers, but were predominately Gentile.

Don’t miss how Paul identifies the Christians at Colossae in verse 2. . . They are saints in that they have been made holy through faith in Christ. . . they are also faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.

The word “saints” is a noun and not an adjective, which describes who the Colossians are, not what they do.

The saints are those who have been set apart for God as belonging to his holy people.

Paul says the Colossians identity is “in Christ,” a theme which he will remind them of and expand throughout his letter.

“in Christ” communicates the Christian’s new identity and new home in the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son. . . the phrase carries with it a total reorientation of one’s life.

Purpose

Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians to combat the heresy being taught amongst them by reminding them of the preeminence and supremacy of Christ.

Define heresy.

What was this false teaching?

Consisted of a seeking of mystical experiences and enjoying the “heavenly temple” through the worship and mediation of angels.

To attain these mystical experiences and entrance into the heavenly temple, the heresy taught one must go through ascetic practices of self-denial and Jewish festivals and practices.

Paul’s answer to this false teaching was that the fullness of God is embodied in Christ, and since the Colossians were “in Christ” they had full access to God and did not need to submit to ascetic practices to have intimacy and ecstatic experiences with God.

Structure of the Letter

Worship Christ as the Preeminent Son (Chapters 1-2)

Believers have been filled in Christ (indicative)

Since Christ is the head of the body, he is both the authority and life source of our whole existence as Christians. We can never grow beyond Christ but only from Christ and into Christ.

Walk in Christ as your purifying Light (Chapters 2-4)

Believers must be filled with Christ (imperative)

Why is Colossians in the Bible and how does it connect to the story of Redemption?

Colossians puts the glory and supremacy of Christ on display and gives clear instructions to Christians on how to live in light of their union with Jesus.

Colossians shows no other philosophy or teaching can compare with Christ. We do not need to add anything to the gospel to enjoy a relationship with God. . . all we need is Jesus.

Key Themes

The Supremacy and Preeminence of Christ.

Christ is the creator and sustainer of all things.

“Cosmic Christ”

Christ is the firstborn of the living and the dead.

Christ is the true knowledge and wisdom.

Christ is the true philosophy.

Christ gives us victory over all our enemies.

Fullness of God in Christ and Christ in Believers (Union with Christ).

Christ is our hidden hope.

Hidden in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3).

Our life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

The ascension. . . we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places right now!

Response

Union with Christ give us. . .

Forgiveness of sins and peace with God

“Grace and Peace from God our Father.”

Identity and purpose

Paul identifies himself as an “apostle of Christ Jesus” and the Colossians are known as “saints in Christ Jesus.”

How would you define yourself to others?

Where do you find your identity?

Belonging and Community

Paul calls Timothy his brother and the church in Colossae his brothers and sisters.

Do we handle conflict with one another like family?

We should seek to cultivate a familial relationship with others