Introduction to Colossians

Author, Date, and Recipients

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to Christians living in the small city of Colossae.

Notice the way he identifies himself

Colossians 1:1 NASB95

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

He address his authority to as an apostle to write to them, but states his apostolic authority doesn’t come from man but God.

It was probably written c. A.D. 62, while Paul was in prison in Rome

Colossians 4:18 NASB95

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.

This was about the same time he wrote Ephesians and Philemon.

(). This was about the same time he wrote Ephesians and Philemon.

Notice the end of verse one.

Colossians 1:1 NASB95

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

And Timothy.. This would suggest that Timothy assisted in writing this book. possibly as much as cowrote the book with Paul.

Some theologian would say that Timothy actually wrote the book and Paul approved or added his signature.

Think about it Timothy has no connection with Colossae. they don’t know him and he is writing this letter, but they do know Paul.

Paul give the letter credibility and then calls Timothy, “our brother.” not giving Timothy authority.

This letter was sent with Tychicus and Onesimus.

Colossians 4:7–9 NASB95

7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

Colossians 4:6–9 NASB95

6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. 7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

That lead us the purpose of the letter

Purpose

again

Colossians 4:8 NASB95

8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;

Encourage your heart to do what?

back to chapter 1

So that you will in a manner worthy of the Lord

Colossians 1:9–10 NASB95

9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

col 1:

Theme

Colossians shows Jesus Christ’s divine characteristics. Christ is Lord over all of creation, including the invisible realm. The one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of time and space, the head of the church. He has redeemed his people, enabling them to participate in his death, resurrection, and fullness.

Colossians 1:13–16 NASB95

13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Colossians 1:13–15 NASB95

13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

col 1:

Why is that important?

Colossians 1:13–14 NASB95

13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

col

Colossians shows Jesus Christ’s divine characteristics. Christ is Lord over all of creation, including the invisible realm. The one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of time and space, the head of the church. He has redeemed his people, enabling them to participate in his death, resurrection, and fullness.

Purpose, Occasion, and Background

Purpose, Occasion, and Background

Because there was dangerous teaching was threatening the church at Colossae, one that lessened Christ’s role and undermined the new identity of believers “in Christ” .

Colossians 1:28 NASB95

28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.

Paul (and Timothy) wrote to warn against this false teaching and to encourage the believers in their growth toward Christian maturity.

Colossians 2:1–2 NASB95

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,

Paul wrote to warn against this false teaching and to encourage the believers in their growth toward Christian maturity. He emphasizes Christ’s authority over all evil powers. Christians are united with the risen Christ, and therefore they share in his power and authority. Paul also encourages these believers to fight against sin, pursue holiness, and live as distinctively Christian households.

He emphasizes Christ’s authority over all evil powers.

He emphasizes Christ’s authority over all evil powers. Christians are united with the risen Christ, and therefore they share in his power and authority. Paul also encourages these believers to fight against sin, pursue holiness, and live as distinctively Christian households.

Colossians 2:15 NASB95

15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

col 2;15

Christians are united with the risen Christ, and therefore they share in his power and authority. Paul also encourages these believers to fight against sin, pursue holiness, and live as distinctively Christian households.

Colossians 3:1–3 NASB95

1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

col 3:

Key Themes

Jesus Christ is preeminent over all creation, Lord over all human rulers and cosmic powers (1:15–20; 2:9–10; 3:1).

Colossians 2:9–10 NASB95

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

col 2:

God has acted through Christ to secure redemption and reconciliation for all who put their faith in him (1:13–14, 20–22).

Colossians 1:20–22 NASB95

20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—

Believers are in Christ, and so they share in Christ’s death, resurrection, new life, and his fullness (2:9–14; 3:1–4).

Christ has defeated the powers of darkness on the cross. Christians share in his power and authority over that realm (2:10, 15; see also 2:8, 20).

Colossians 2:8 NASB95

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish expectation. Christians share in the heritage of the old covenant people of God through their union with him (1:12, 21–22, 27).

Colossians 1:12 NASB95

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Believers are called to grow in spiritual maturity by getting rid of sinful practices and developing Christian virtues (1:10–12, 28; 3:1–4:6).

Colossians 4:6 NASB95

6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Outline