Introduction to Colossians

Pastor Tyson Bloor

Prison Epistles Love; Truth; Faithfulness; Hope Colossians 1:1–8

The introductory greeting and recognition of the church's fruitfulness and growth because of their faith in God.

The Greeting

Colossians 1:1–2 NASB95

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

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

1. The Bible is its own authority

a. It is the Word of God - there is no higher authority

i. God - θεός (theos), οῦ (ou), ὁ (ho) and ἡ (hē) Ac 19:37: n.masc. and fem.; ≡ DBLHebr 466; Str 2316; TDNT 3.65—1. LN 12.1 God (Ac 17:24)

ii. Acts 17:24 - The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;

2. Not all heresy or false teaching will take away from the Bible, many add to it

a. Legalism

b. Idolatry

Jesus - Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous), οῦ (ou), ὁ (ho): n.pr.masc.; ≡ Str 2424; TDNT 3.284—(most versions) Jesus, strictly, Joshua; 1. the Christ, of Mary (Mt 1:21)

Christ - Χριστός (Christos), οῦ (ou), ὁ (ho): n.pr.masc. [see also 3549]; ≡ DBLHebr 5431; Str 5547; TDNT 9.493—1. LN 53.82 Messiah a title for the Anointed One, i.e., God’s special choice (Mt 2:4; Jn 1:41; 4:25); 2. LN 93.387 Christ a proper name for Jesus of Nazareth (Mt 27:17)

Apostle - ἀπόστολος (apostolos), ου (ou), ὁ (ho): n.masc.; ≡ DBLHebr 8938; Str 652; TDNT 1.407—1. LN 53.74 apostle, a special messenger of Jesus Christ, a restricted group, the exact number variously reckoned (Mt 10:2; Ac 1:2, 26; Ac 14:14; 1Co 12:28, 29)

Saints - ἅγιος (hagios), ία (ia), ον (on): adj. [see α για (a gia), between 38–39 and α γιον (a gion), between 40–41]; ≡ DBLHebr 5219, 7705, 7731; Str 40 & 39; TDNT 1.88—1. LN 88.24 holy, pure (1Pe 1:15–16); 2. LN 53.46 dedicated, consecrated (Mk 6:20); 3. LN 11.27 οἱ ἅγιοι (hoi hagioi), God’s people (1Co 6:2; 2Co 13:12; Php 4:22; Rev 18:20+; Rev 22:21 v.r.)

The Base of Christian Theology

Colossians 1:3–8 NASB95

We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;

because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel

which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;

just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,

and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.

What is the base of Christian theology?

1. Faith in Jesus Christ

a. Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9

2. Love of the saints

a. John 13:35

3. Fruit bearing

a. Matthew 7:15-20; James 3:17

4. The word of truth - The Gospel

a. 1 John 3:18; 1 John 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:15