Bible Book: Colossians

Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.

Author: Paul

Type of Book: Epistle

Outline
Introduction (1:1-12)
Christian Greetings (1:1-2)
Thanksgiving for The Colossians’ Faith, Love and Hope (1:3-8)
Prayer for Their Spiritual Growth and Development (1:9-12)
Powerful Principles—Spiritual Renewal and Restoration Through Christ (1:13-2:23)
The Absolute Supremacy of Christ (1:13-23)
As Savior from Sin (1:13-14; cf. 1:20, 22)
As Lord of Creation (1:15-17)
As Head of the Church (1:18)
As Restorer of All Things (1:19-20)
As Reconciler of the Colossians to God (1:21-23)
Paul’s Faithful Ministry Concerning Christ’s Mysteries (1:24-2:7)
Suffering for Christ to Perfect the Church (1:24-28)
Encouraging Christ’s Followers to Avoid Deception (2:1-7)
Warnings Against False Teaching (2:8-23)
Problem: Putting Traditions and Worldly Principles Ahead of Christ (2:8)
Solution: Finding Complete Life and Fulfillment in Christ (2:9-15)
Problem: Replacing Relationship With Christ With Religious Routines (2:16-23)
Solution: Dying to Worldly Principles and Behaviors Through Life in Christ (2:20)
Practical Instructions—Standards for Holy Living and Right Relationships (3:1-4:6)
The Christian’s Personal Conduct (3:1-17)
Setting the Mind on Things Above With Christ (3:1-4)
Laying Aside the Old Life of Sin (3:5-9)
Putting on the New Self in Christ (3:10-17)
The Christian’s Personal Relationships (3:18-4:1)
Wives and Husbands (3:18-19)
Children and Parents (3:20-21)
Slaves and Masters (3:22-4:1)
The Christian’s Spiritual Influence (4:2-6)
Devoted Prayer for Ministry (4:2-4)
Wise Conduct Toward Outsiders (4:5)
Gracious Speech Toward All (4:6)
Conclusion (4:7-18)

Theme: Christ Is Supreme and Sufficient

Date of Writing: c. A.D. 62

Background
    The city of Colosse was located near Laodicea (cf. 4:16) in southwest Asia Minor, about 100 miles directly east of Ephesus. (For an overview of this region, see map of Paul’s Second Missionary Journey.) The Colossian church was probably started as a result of Paul’s exceptional three-year ministry at Ephesus (Ac 20:31). The effects of his ministry during that time were so powerful and far reaching that “all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord” (Ac 19:10). Although Paul may never have visited Colosse in person (2:1), he had maintained contact with the church through Epaphras, one of his ministry associates from Colosse (1:7; 4:12).
    The occasion for this letter was to challenge and completely put down the false teaching that threatened the spiritual future of the Colossian church (2:8). This letter was Paul’s response to Epaphras, a leader in the Colossian church (and perhaps its founder), who traveled to visit Paul and inform him about the situation at Colosse (1:8; 4:12). Paul was a prisoner at the time (4:3, 10, 18), most likely in Rome (Ac 28:16-31) awaiting his appeal before Caesar (Ac 25:11-12). Paul’s co-worker, Tychicus, delivered the letter in person to Colosse (4:7).
    Paul never describes in specific words the exact nature of the Colossian heresy (i.e., false teaching, a belief that contradicts proven and established teaching) because the original readers were already well aware of it. Whatever it was, it seemed to have been undermining some of the people’s dependence on Christ as the central focus of their faith and life. From Paul’s statements opposing the false teaching, it seems to have been a strange mixture of Christian teaching, Jewish traditions, humanistic philosophy (i.e., based on human ideals and values) and mysticism (i.e., a supposed means of relating to God through supernatural intuition or insight). This is similar to the belief mixture of many cults and misguided religious philosophies today.

Purpose
Paul wrote (1) to fight against the dangerous false teaching at Colosse because it was displacing their faith and focus on Christ as the supreme power and authority over all creation, true revelation, spiritual salvation and the church; and (2) to stress the true nature, characteristics and necessary standards of new life with Christ.

Survey
    After greeting the church and expressing gratitude for their faith, love, hope and continued spiritual progress, Paul focuses on two key issues: correct doctrine (i.e., a basis for belief and teaching, 1:13-2:23) and practical challenges and instruction (3:1-4:6).
    As a foundation for the rest of what he will say, Paul looks at the spiritual principle of the true character and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. “He is the image of the invisible God” (1:15), the fullness of God in bodily form (2:9), the Creator of all things (1:16-17), the head of the church (1:18) and the complete source of salvation and renewed relationship with God (1:14, 20-22). While Christ is completely adequate (i.e., sufficient, complete), the Colossian heresy (i.e., false teaching) is totally inadequate (i.e., incomplete, lacking). It is hollow, deceitful, humanistic and worldly (2:8), spiritually shallow and arrogant (2:18) and powerless against the sinful, rebellious desires of the body (2:23).
    In his practical instructions, Paul challenges the Colossians to live out true holiness (i.e., moral purity, spiritual wholeness, separation from evil and dedication to God) in every aspect of life. He stresses that this is only possible through total dependence on Christ. The reality of Christ’s presence within believers (1:27) must be evident in proper Christian behavior (3:1-17), personal relationships (3:18-4:1) and spiritual discipline (4:2-6).

Special Features
Three major features characterize this letter. (1) More than any other NT book, Colossians focuses on the two-part truth of (a) Christ’s power and authority over everything and (b) his complete adequacy to fulfill every need and purpose in people’s lives. (2) It strongly affirms that Christ is fully God (2:9) and contains one of the most clearly worded passages in the NT about his glory and superiority over all (1:15-23). (3) It is sometimes recognized as the “twin letter” to Ephesians because the two have certain similarities in content and were written about the same time (compare the outlines to the two letters).

Giving credit where credit is due.  These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible.  Don Stamps, editor.  Originally published by Life Publishers.