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. The general consensus is that these epistles were written during pauls imprisonment at rome cf. Ephesians and colossians summary the epistle to the ephesians. If this is your desire then this series on the book of colossians will be of value to you. Commentary for colossians 1 this epistle was sent because of some difficulties which arose among the colossians, probably from false teachers, in consequence of which they sent to the apostle. Sep 21, 2011 the main problem paul addresses in the book of galatians is the status of gentiles in the church. The apostle paul was the primary writer of the book of colossians colossians 1.
It is not named in the book of acts, probably because paul did not start or even vist the colossian church. Christ is lord over all of creation, including the. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. In this book, you will find many very clear parallelisms and chiasms. In colossians we have both a brief summary of the elementary expressions and demands of the christian faith. The main theme of colossians is the lordship of jesus christ, it has demonstrated his authority, his preeminence, his omniscience, his omnipotence and his deity he is the fullness. Survey of colossians what is a good summary of the book of colossians. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. Grace be unto you, and peace, from god our father and the lord jesus christ 3 we give thanks to god and the father of our lord jesus christ, praying always for you. Key verses and themes in colossians and philemon bible. The churches in galatia were comprised of both jewish and gentile converts. Colossians presents the allsupremacy, the allsufficiency, the uniqueness, and the fullness of the person and work of jesus christ as the godman savior, the creator and sustainer of the universe and the total solution for mans needs both for time and eternity. Date of the book of colossians there is evidence that the books of colossians, philemon, and ephesians were all carried to their destinations by tychicus and onesimus cf. The main problem paul addresses in the book of galatians is the status of gentiles in the church.
Colossians shows jesus christs divine characteristics. Evidence in favor of pauline authorship is the many notable similarities to his other writings. This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he is shown to be the one who becomes our life. The location of the people mentioned in colossians during the writing of the book here. Was a populous commerce center, famous for its glossy. Galatians is likely the first new testament book to be written, composed sometime soon after ad 49. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. Tychicus was a coworker of paul who would have been able to help the colossian believers understand and apply the apostles teachings in the letter. Remember that to understand the book, we must relate it to its historical setting. Colossae was a city that came to prominence under the greeks and was at one time the major city in southwest asia, but by pauls time it had declined in importance, being outstripped in its own region by laodicea 12 miles to the northwest and hierapolis which was. Why study pauls letters to the colossians and philemon. This outline of colossians is intended to assist you as you investigate the pages of gods holy word his letter to you. And that is the reason for the colossians gratitude.
The immediate occasion for the letter is a problem with gentiles being forced to keep the law by some persons coming from jerusalem claiming to have authority from james. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. The book of colossians was likely written between a. The glories of our savior are set forth in the epistle, for he is the author and perfecter of our faith and he is set before us crowned with glory and honor in the heaven. Book of colossians free bible study questions, class book, workbook, assignments, and study material. The theme of colossians is the complete adequacy of christ as contrasted with the emptiness of mere human philosophy. Please read the whole book of colossians at least once as we study chapter 1. Introduction to the book of colossians pulpit pages. The book of colossians gives the clearest, most comprehensive teaching on christology of all pauls epistles. Colossians attacks the false teachings while ephesians develops its central themes to prepare other churches for the coming heresy.
In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. 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 scholars have increasingly questioned pauls authorship and attributed the letter to an. Who wrote this letter, and to whom is it addressed 1. This was about the same time he wrote ephesians and philemon. Toussaint, colossians unpublished class notes in 308 pauline epistles and revelation, dallas theological seminary, fall 1983, pp. 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.
A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. 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 purpose of this book is to reveal christs formula for living the normal christian life and experiencing the freedom he promised. The main theme of colossians is to provide the early christians with substantial evidence of jesus divinity. Curtis vaughan, colossians, in expositors bible commentary, pp. Colossians is named for the city of colosse, where the church it was addressed to was located.
Paul apparently wrote to the colossian church because he had heard that false teachers had come to the city and were spreading erroneous doctrine in the young church. The creator, the one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. Colossians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. Top 5 commentaries on the books of colossians and philemon. Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered the. Because of his divine nature, jesus is sovereign, above all things with an authority given him by the father. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. Introduction to the book of colossians tonight i want to begin a study of the book of colossians. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of. For example, the description of the church in colossians 2. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4. The book of colossians is a series of expository preachingnotes that will give the listener an account of what happens in the book of colossians with commentary on each scripture within the text.
Colossians is one of pauls four prison epistles col 4. He penned this letter, along with ephesians, philippians, and philemon during his first imprisonment in rome. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote colossians around 6163 a. Some of the most exalted language concerning him is found in this short jewel of a letter we know today as the book of colossians. A third is that the epistles themes related to christ, eschatology and the church seem to have no parallel in pauls undisputed works. The book of philippians was written by paul and delivered by.
Background on colossae and the colossians bible commentary. Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible god, containing within himself the fullness of deity colossians 2. The apostle paul wrote this letter to christians living in the small city of colossae. The creator, the one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of time and space, the head of the church. Pauls purpose in writing to these churches was to confirm them in the faith. He also was a slaveholder whose slave onesimus had escaped, had later encountered the apostle paul, and had responded to the gospel message about jesus. If philemon and his family were hosts of the church at colosse, then mark a. First, colossians is unrivalled in its portrayal of the person of the lord jesus christ. You can find the best commentary on colossians for. Colossians chiasm x in original order the chiasms of paul introduction in this book, you will find many very clear parallelisms and chiasms or chiasmus.
Explore free resources providing a biblical perspective on faith and work. There are a number of helpful commentaries on colossians and philemon, and the following are five of the. Book summary colossians shows jesus christs divine characteristics. The power of the bleeding love of god is stronger than the power of caesar, of the law, of mars, mammon, aphrodite and the rest. You may remember him from such new testament letters as romans and 1 corinthians. May 02, 2020 timothy is also given some credit colossians 1. One of the bibles most famous chapters is contained in the book, the hall of fame of faith in chapter 11. Join our small group fellowship as we study this series on the book of colossians introduction beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men. Jesus christ is preeminent over all creation, lord over all human rulers and cosmic powers 1. This audio bible study series on this colossians bible study lessons can be downloaded for free. Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource. Jul 28, 2015 why study pauls letters to the colossians and philemon. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of colossians in his audio message from.
This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he. Smart guys talk ephesians and colossians this video is part of yales open course on the new testament and packs in some good scholarly commentary. On the hunt professor john dominic crossan talks about his book in search of paul on fresh air. Here we have yet another letter from the apostle paul. The book is the only example of the law of the kinsmanredeemer in motion. If colossians is to be meaningful today two things are required. Wed probably listen to johnny cash read the phone book, but its way more fun to hear him read the bible instead. The genealogy at the end of the book is an important link to christ. The christian life according to colossians 443 no love for god nor a desire to attach oneself to him, but only the ecstatic, albeit passive, vision of god and his realm. This time, pauls writing to the church in ephesus and, boy, does he have a lot to say.
In the letter to the colossians, paul addresses how our relationship to god through jesus christ affects us in the. Popular colossians books meet your next favorite book. Was located in the region of the seven churches of asia. Christ, and in colossians the emphasis is on the christ as the head of the body.
Used by workplace christians, pastors and scholars. Saved by grace the classic hymn is inspired by ephesians 2. The scope of the epistle is to show, that all hope of mans redemption is founded on christ, in whom alone are all complete fulness, perfections, and. Colossians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of colossians for bible study or sunday school lessons. 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. Philemon was a citizen of colossae and an upright leader in that church. It is a book difficult to exegete and many scholars really have never attempted to explore its depths. The emphasis of colossians is christological while the emphasis of. Book summary ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. If philemon and his family were hosts of the church at colosse, then. This was a letter, written by paul, under the inspiration of the holy ghost, to the church at colossae. Anyone who has determined to seriously study the book of colossians knows how difficult it is to find a good commentary on the book.
The emphasizing of this contradiction, that christ has overcome evil yet evil exists, is one of the major themes of the late swiss theologian karl barth. God worked in creation, making humans workers in his image colossians 1. The way these chiasms have been cut out are by no means a statement of finality as to doctrine and intent of the author, but, rather, an. What can we learn about sharing the gospel from john 1. Once again, colossians must drive christendom to the affirmation of radical freedom col. God has acted through christ to secure redemption and reconciliation for all who put their faith in him 1. Colossians major themes online bible knowing jesus. He has imputed his righteousness to his body, for now we have been bought with a price and therefore no longer our own but all things are gods.
While the book of ephesians focuses on the body the church, colossians focuses on the head christ. This makes for a remarkable fact that paul wrote them a letter that has survived through the centuries. The epistle to the colossians and even more goodies about jesus. Sermons in this series call his name jesus matthew 1. 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 epistles to the colossians and to philemon were written by paul during the early part of his roman imprisonment. In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. They arise from the basic affirmations of that book.
This article is also available and sold as a booklet. So paul sent this letter, along with the letters to philemon and to the ephesians, with tychicus, accompanied by onesimus colossians 4. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new. 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. In the book of colossians, 55 greek words are used that do not appear in any other of pauls epistles.
He says that he had heard of their faith, but did not know them personally. Chapters and verses pentateuch wisdom major prophets minor prophets gospels. The mood of colossians is argumentative and controversial, that of ephesians clam and peaceful. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. After the romans built their major eastwest highway, via ignatia. By comparing the epistle to the colossians with that written to philemon, it is reasonable to suppose that the church at colosse met in their home cf.
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