Let the message of christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the spirit, singing to god with. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of. As part of our letters to the church series, were taking a brief look at each epistle. Paul had received a report of the situation at colosse by way of epaphras. The book of colossians especially the last half of the first chapter and all of the second contains an emphasis on certain unique topics, along with various warnings. Thats why we should study the books of colossians and philemon. Overview of the book of colossians reformed answers to.
Evidence in favor of pauline authorship is the many notable similarities to his other writings. In a few days we will give you great news regarding our course paul and his letter to the colossians. Paul wrote to warn against this false teaching and to encourage the believers in their growth toward christian maturity. These letters also known as epistles contain both general christian teaching and specific instructions for the congregation to which they were addressed. Nov 17, 2015 this book was likely written about ad 60 and one in which he wrote from prison, along with ephesians, colossians, and philemon. Colossians 3 niv bible since, then, you have been raised. This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he is shown to be the one who becomes our life. This letter was written by paul, an apostle of jesus christ 1.
The developed theology of the letter, many believe, indicates that it was composed by paul in. The key personalities include paul, timothy, tychicus, onesimus, aristarchus, mark, and epaphras. The book of colossians was likely written between a. Always begin with prayer, asking god to guide you into his truth john 16. Purpose and theme pauls purpose is to refute the colossian heresy. They must grasp who jesus is and what he did for them. For example, the description of the church in colossians 2. Paul defended the faith by exalting the person of jesus, and clarifying the true doctrine of jesus christ. What was the purpose of pauls letter to the colossians. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1.
Before paul wrote this letter to the christians in colossae, he had never been to their city colossians 2. The epistle to colossians encyclopedia of the bible. The head of the body, the beginning, and the firstborn from the dead colossians 1. The book of colossians colossae the city of colossae was located in phrygia in asia minor approximately 10 miles southeast of laodicea. This helps explain the personal greetings he included at the end of the letter, a practice he usually reserved for letters to churches he had not visited for example, romans.
Colossians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of colossians for bible study or sunday school lessons. What was the purpose of the letter to the colossians answers. The second half is a miniethics course, addressing every area of christian life. Colossians stresses jesus as head, which ephesians emphasizes the church as his body. Best colossians commentaries updated for 2020 best bible.
In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. He has no equal among the religious leaders of the world religions because he and he alone is gods son and the way, the truth, and the life john 14. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of christ unto another gospel. The primary purpose of the letter was clearly to combat this false teaching. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. At that time, nero was the cruel and insane emperor of the roman empire who could ignore the claims of pauls roman citizenship. You will also find options for commentaries on colossians that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more.
Paul begins his letter to the colossian church, with greetings and thanks giving, however he is soon onto the main purpose which is to counter heresy that had been making some headway amongst the members. Paul is sending onesimus back to philemon not to be his slave, but to assist him in his work to spread faith in the protagonist. What did paul want the colossians and laodiceans to know 2. In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. Apparently, soon after writing colossians, with time on his hands in prison, he developed the themes in the letter we know as ephesians. The members had learned of gods truth from epaphras, who was a faithful minister of christ 1. What was his goal or his purpose toward which he preached and labored 2.
The epistle to colossians encyclopedia of the bible bible. The letter of paul to the colossians, new testament writing addressed to christians at colossae, asia minor, whose congregation was founded by pauls colleague epaphras. It was probably written while paul was imprisoned in rome around ad60. The book of colossian s purpose, besides showing the supremacy, sufficiency, and divinity of christ, is how christians are to live in the world and before god col 3. The book of colossians encourages christians to not compromise or turn from jesus.
Did you know that most of the books that comprise the new testament are actually letters. Follow christ instead of philosophy, asceticism, or legalism colossians 2. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. The book of colossians is about the supremacy of the person of christ. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4. Also, there are many personal references common to philemon and colossians. Some due to length, have been shortened into continued sections. Was a populous commerce center, famous for its glossy.
Ephesians colossians philippians philemon the church at colosse was established by epaphras at the time of the colossians letter, paul had not visited colosse the colossian letter was sent from rome to colosse by tychicus and the converted slave, onesimus. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to jesus. The purpose of this reconciliation is plainly through him and not of ourselves 1. Written with the single purpose to display the supremacy and sufficiency of jesus, the book of colossians answers the two questions every person asks.
Date of the book of colossians there is evidence that the books of colossians, philemon, and ephesians were all carried to their destinations. The book of colossians gives the clearest, most comprehensive teaching on christology of all pauls epistles. Paul had been imprisoned at rome and received messages about heresies at the church in colossae. Indeed, he is the image of the invisible god, the sovereign and preeminent one among all creation col. While the book of ephesians focuses on the body the.
Background on colossae and the colossians bible commentary. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. This makes most bible scholars conclude that paul was responding to some particular heresy prevalent in the region of phrygia. The developed theology of the letter, many believe, indicates that it was composed by paul in rome about ad 62 rather than during. It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle and timothy to the church in colossae, a small phrygian city near laodicea and approximately 100 miles 160 km from ephesus in asia minor. It was written to counter and respond to heretical teachings and encourage believers to serve with fervor and passion. Outline of the book of colossians greeting, thanksgiving, and prayer colossians 1. Because of his divine nature, jesus is sovereign, above all things with an authority given him by the father. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.
Colossians and galatians is correction of serious doctrinal deviation from the alreadygiven standard. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book. He is preeminent over all and he is recreating a new creature in us. The purpose of pauls epistle to the colossians is to instruct the believers that salvation is only in jesus christ. The book was originally a series of letters written by the apostle paul to the christian communities living in colossae, an ancient city in asia minor. Colossians was likely penned, as were ephesians, philippians, and philemon, during pauls first imprisonment at rome 1. The book of colossians purpose, besides showing the supremacy, sufficiency, and divinity of christ, is how christians are to live in the world and before god col 3. Mar, 2019 the book of colossians, despite being written nearly 2,000 years ago, is stunningly relevant today, with its warnings against following false philosophies, worshiping angels, and becoming mired in legalism. Its purpose is to teach forgiveness and acceptance. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries.
Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. Beetham phd, wheaton college is assistant professor of biblical studies at the evangelical theological college and assistant professor of new testament at the ethiopian graduate school of theology, both in addis ababa, ethiopia. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to. Nov 04, 2016 the main purpose of the book of galatians is to vindicate pauls call by god and the gospel of grace. The book of colossians was likely written around a. Put on therefore, as the elect of god, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. When we became new creatures in christ, we put to death therefore what is earthly in you. In the meantime, you can access our free course on the letter to philemon, which is mentioned in the video. The numerous parallels of vocabulary and matters discussed in ephesians and colossians link these epistles together. This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of colossians. The first half of the book of colossians is a theological treatise that includes one of the most profound presentations of christology anywhere in the new testament. The creator, the one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of time and space, the head of the church.
Jan 02, 2020 timothy is also given some credit colossians 1. Book summary colossians shows jesus christs divine characteristics. What is the major purpose for the book of galatians. The person of jesus christ must be understood accurately and that he is the image of the invisible god and in him all the fulness of the godhead dwells in bodily form colossians 1. This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he. Religion, tradition, and philosophy including mysticism and.
The primary purpose of colossians was to confront the heresies that were being taught by false teachers that had invaded the church at colosse. He knew that this attempt to merge greek thought and the gospel for the purpose of making christianity relevant to greek culture would spread to. Colossians is a book in the new testament of the bible it is a letter written by paul to the church at colosse. It seems that paul did not start the congregation in this city. A dangerous teaching was threatening the church at colossae, one that lessened christs role and undermined the new identity of believers in christ 1. Because of jesus resurrection, believers become part of a new humanity thats joined to him, and their lives are. Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in. What paul is up against in this epistle is the bastions of human culture. This semester im involved in an intensive bible study on the book of colossians. May 29, 2018 written with the single purpose to display the supremacy and sufficiency of jesus, the book of colossians answers the two questions every person asks. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. Key verses and themes in colossians and philemon bible. Ask god to open the eyes of your understanding that you might behold wondrous things out of his word.
They are included in the body of the text so the reader can see them as he reads the book without having to page over to a separate outline. To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to all other powers and attempts to gain. To accomplish this goal, he exalts christ as the very image of god 1. Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible god, containing within himself the fullness of deity colossians 2. Also known as the epistle to the colossians, the book of colossians was written by the apostle paul from 58 to 62 a. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to. Now read the entire book of colossians again, marking on your observation worksheets the key word christ, including synonyms. In the book of colossians, 55 greek words are used that do not appear in any other of pauls epistles. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Was located in the region of the seven churches of asia. A dangerous teaching was threatening the church at colossae, one that lessened christs role and undermined the new identity of believers in christ. Because of jesus resurrection, believers become part of a new humanity thats joined to him, and their lives are changed and transformed here on earth. Mar, 2016 the book of philemon is not a book about slavery.
It was written to counter and respond to heretical teachings and encourage believers to. The purpose of this first lesson is to discover the context of the book of colossians. Assignments on colossians 2 please read the whole book of colossians again as we study chapter 2. These heresies contained a mixture of jewish elements, and an early form of gnosticism.
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