Summary
The supremacy of Christ, and the sufficiency of what He has done.
by Dr. David Silver3 min read
Read the Summaryby Dr. David Silver3 min read
Colossians is a Pauline epistle which is one of the prison epistles. It is remarkably similar to Ephesians and was written about the same time, 62 A.D. Paul had not visited Colosse before, but he was concerned about false teaching which involved legalism, asceticism, and worship of angels. The major themes of the letter are the supremacy of Christ and the importance of the gospel. The book can be outlined as follows: the supremacy of Christ (chapter 1); dealing with false teaching (chapter 2); rules for holy living and households (chapter 3); further instructions and final greetings (chapter 4).
In chapter 1, after a standard greeting, Paul mentions the main themes of the letter in the prayer/thanksgiving section. The Colossians have faith, hope, and love since they heard the gospel, the word of truth. This gospel is bearing fruit and growing all over the world (1:6). Epaphras is Paul’s associate who helped establish this church. Paul reminds them they have been rescued in Christ, redeemed, and forgiven (1:13-14). Christ is the image of the invisible God (1:15). All things were created by him and for him (1:16-17). In him all things hold together (1:17). He is the head of the body, the church, so that he might have the supremacy (1:18). God reconciled all things to himself through the blood of Christ, shed on the cross (1:19-20).
In chapter 2, Paul warns against false teaching. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2:3). He does not want the Colossians to be deceived by fine sounding arguments (2:4). He emphasizes the importance of living a Christ-centered life. They are to be on guard against hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ (2:8). In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form (2:9). Through their faith they have been buried with him and raised with him (2:12). When they were dead in sins, God made them alive in Christ (2:13). They are not to let anyone judge them regarding food, religious festivals, Sabbaths, or angels. He urges the Colossians not to submit to worldly rules of asceticism.
In chapter 3, Paul focuses on their union with Christ in his death and resurrection. The Colossians are to set their hearts and minds on things above (3:1-2). Paul encouraged them not to walk in their sinful nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, idolatry, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language. Instead, they are to practice compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, peace, and love. In the Christian household, wives are to submit to their husbands and husbands are to love their wives. Children are to obey their parents and parents are not to embitter their children. Slaves are to obey their earthly masters and masters are to provide their slaves with what is right and fair (3:18-4:1).
In chapter 4, Paul asks the believers to be devoted to prayer and to pray for him. He wants to proclaim the gospel clearly. Also, they should make the most of every opportunity in conversing with others. Tychicus, who is the letter carrier, was to let them know how Paul is doing and to encourage them. Onesimus, who is the slave mentioned in the book of Philemon, was also to accompany Tychicus and to give them an update on Paul. Onesimus is from Colosse, which ties the two letters together. Paul sends further greetings and mentions that Epaphras wrestles in prayer for them. Epaphras wants the Colossians to stand firm in the will of God, mature, and fully assured (4:12).
Structure
Chapter 1
Thanksgiving for their faith, and the great hymn: the image of the invisible God, the one by whom and for whom all things were made, in whom all things hold together.
Chapter 2
In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom; do not be taken captive by hollow philosophy, legalism, asceticism or the worship of angels.
Chapter 3
Set your minds on things above; put to death what belongs to the old self and put on compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness and love.
Chapter 4
Devote yourselves to prayer, make the most of every opportunity, and greetings that tie the letter to Philemon through Onesimus.
Key Themes
01
He is first in creation, first in the church, and sufficient for everything.
02
In Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily, and you are complete in Him.
03
You died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
04
Rules, visions and self-denial that look wise and have no power.
05
A life described as taking off one set of habits and putting on another.
The Challenge We Face
Colossians answers every “Christ plus something” with Christ alone. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation; in Him all things hold together; in Him all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.
The record of debt that stood against us was nailed to His cross, and the powers were disarmed there and led in His triumph.
Apply Scripture
Anything added to Christ as necessary subtracts from Him.
Spiritual-sounding rules have no power to restrain the flesh.
You are complete in Him; stop shopping for a supplement.
Set your mind on things above — it is a deliberate act.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for the Lord.
Study guides
You've seen the big picture. Now explore the book verse by verse with our practical Bible Study Guide.
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