Colossians - Louie Giglio |
Book Overview:Faithful Devotion to Jesus
Despite facing pressure from their culture to turn away from Jesus, the Colossian Christians have stayed faithful the way of Jesus. Paul prays that they would grow even more in their wisdom, allowing every part of their lives to be transformed by the Gospel message. Everything Made New Paul tells the Colossian Christians that, as members of the new humanity, no part of their human existence remains untouched by the loving and liberating rule of Jesus. Their suffering, temptation, moral character, and familial dynamics must all be re-examined and transformed in light of the work of Jesus. They are joined to Jesus and are part of his new multi-ethnic family. |
Survey of Colossians
Book Type: Pauline Epistle, also one of Paul’s Prison Epistles, 12th book of the New Testament.
Author: The apostle Paul and Timothy (directly named in Colossians 1:1)
Audience: Colossians is one of four Prison Epistles written by the apostle Paul either during his first Roman imprisonment or during an imprisonment while in Ephesus. This was a period of house arrest around AD 60–62 OR in a Roman Prison around AD 54-56. During this time, Paul also wrote Philemon. The city of Colossae was about 100 miles east of Ephesus in modern-day Turkey. Christianity may have reached this city during Paul’s mission work in Ephesus (Acts 19:10). However, Epaphras was the person noted for the major growth of the church in the city. Paul knew some of the Christians in the area (Colossians 2:1), but it was his connection with Epaphras that let him know the condition of the church (Philemon 1:23).
Multiple themes are packed in the short letter of Colossians. False teachings such as Jewish legalism, blending of religions, Greek philosophy, and mysticism are decried by Paul. He mentions food, special days (Colossians 2:16), those who worshiped angels (Colossians 2:18), and ascetic practices. Paul speaks against such false teachings in this letter, affirming that Christ alone is sufficient as the basis for the believer's faith and life.
Date: Approximately AD 60–62, during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (Colossians 4:18). OR AD 54-56, during an imprisonment in Ephesus.
Overview: This four-chapter letter focuses on Paul’s teachings regarding the deity of Jesus (Colossians 1:15–20; Colossians 2:2–10), as well as key areas such as forgiveness and the nature of the church. Paul also strongly condemns various false teachings in chapter 2.
Author: The apostle Paul and Timothy (directly named in Colossians 1:1)
Audience: Colossians is one of four Prison Epistles written by the apostle Paul either during his first Roman imprisonment or during an imprisonment while in Ephesus. This was a period of house arrest around AD 60–62 OR in a Roman Prison around AD 54-56. During this time, Paul also wrote Philemon. The city of Colossae was about 100 miles east of Ephesus in modern-day Turkey. Christianity may have reached this city during Paul’s mission work in Ephesus (Acts 19:10). However, Epaphras was the person noted for the major growth of the church in the city. Paul knew some of the Christians in the area (Colossians 2:1), but it was his connection with Epaphras that let him know the condition of the church (Philemon 1:23).
Multiple themes are packed in the short letter of Colossians. False teachings such as Jewish legalism, blending of religions, Greek philosophy, and mysticism are decried by Paul. He mentions food, special days (Colossians 2:16), those who worshiped angels (Colossians 2:18), and ascetic practices. Paul speaks against such false teachings in this letter, affirming that Christ alone is sufficient as the basis for the believer's faith and life.
Date: Approximately AD 60–62, during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (Colossians 4:18). OR AD 54-56, during an imprisonment in Ephesus.
Overview: This four-chapter letter focuses on Paul’s teachings regarding the deity of Jesus (Colossians 1:15–20; Colossians 2:2–10), as well as key areas such as forgiveness and the nature of the church. Paul also strongly condemns various false teachings in chapter 2.
Key Verses:
Colossians 1:15–16: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."
Colossians 2:8: "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Colossians 3:12–13: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Colossians 4:5-6: "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Colossians 1:15–16: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."
Colossians 2:8: "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Colossians 3:12–13: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Colossians 4:5-6: "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."