This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he. The key personalities include paul, timothy, tychicus, onesimus, aristarchus, mark, and epaphras. In colossians, paul encourages the colossian christians to see jesus. Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible god, containing within himself the fullness of deity colossians 2. Before paul wrote this letter to the christians in colossae, he had never been to their city colossians 2. That colossians is a genuine letter of paul is usually not disputed. 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. Another theme is the importance of separating from. Key verses and themes in colossians and philemon bible.
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. Nov 01, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The letters to the colossians and to philemon the pillar new. 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. Its main theme is developed in colossians chapter 2, with a warning against being drawn away from him in whom dwelt all the fullness of the deity. He has redeemed his people, enabling them to participate in his death, resurrection, and fullness. In colossians we have both a brief summary of the elementary expressions and. The gospel of jesus christ was bearing fruit, not merely in the lycus valley. Colossians intro to colossians biblica the international bible. Discover the basics of the book of colossians with the esv study bible from crossway. The book was originally a series of letters written by the apostle paul to the. Jan 02, 2020 timothy is also given some credit colossians 1.
These letters also known as epistles contain both general christian teaching and specific instructions for the congregation to which they were addressed. The epistle to the colossians chapter one objectives in studying this chapter 1 to see the relationship between understanding the grace of god and bearing fruit 2 to examine pauls prayer for the colossians for the keys to successful christian living 3 to appreciate the preeminence of christ in creation and our redemption summary paul. Also known as the epistle to the colossians, the book of colossians was written by the apostle paul from 58 to 62 a. Its helpful to include the chapter and verse number for each truth you list. They become real in the churchs temptation to complicate the stern simplicity of the message of colossians. May you be blessed and inspired as you read and study the book of colossians. The epistles of paul to the colossians and philemon. 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. Starting your free trial of bible gateway plus is easy. The book of colossians is an important look into the mystery of christ which was hidden for generations and now disclosed to the saints col. In the bible what is the main theme of the book of colossians.
If philemon and his family were hosts of the church at colosse, then. Asked in the bible when was the book of the bible colossians written. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to jesus. Overview of the book of colossians reformed answers to. The theme of this book is the lordship of jesus christ and his sufficiency in meeting our needs in every area. A workplace application of the theme of mutuality is alluded to in colossians and discussed in pauls letter to philemon, the shortest book of the bible. The church at colossae was likely established during pauls third missionary journey as he ministered for three years in ephesus.
Book summary colossians shows jesus christs divine characteristics. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. The main theme of the book of daniel is the sovereign control of god in past and future times. The letters to the colossians and to philemon the pillar new testament commentary pntc moo, douglas j. Evidence in favor of pauline authorship is the many notable similarities to his other writings. Also, there are many personal references common to philemon and colossians. Colossians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of colossians for bible study or sunday school lessons.
In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. As part of our letters to the church series, were taking a brief look at each epistle. They are soluble only by the radical reaffirmation and consequent implementation of the theme christ is all, christ is in all col. The creator, the one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of time and space, the head of the church. Because of his divine nature, jesus is sovereign, above all things with an authority given him by the father. The letter to philemon tells us that onesimus was the slave of a christian named philemon philem. For example, the description of the church in colossians 2. Youre already logged in with your bible gateway account. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. The book is wellorganized and easy to follow for the bible study. Paul had been imprisoned at rome and received messages about heresies at the church in colossae.
What is the theme of the book of colossians answers. In this book, the apostle paul described jesus with some of the loftiest. The creator, the one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of. The cosmic lordship of jesus or to put it another way, jesus as creator, redeemer, and lord of all creation and its implications for christian living is the central theme cf. Aug 27, 20 the main theme of the book of daniel is the sovereign control of god in past and future times. The book of colossians gives the clearest, most comprehensive teaching on christology of all pauls epistles.
The church at colossae was likely established during pauls third missionary journey as. Outline of the book of colossians christian library. Did you know that most of the books that comprise the new testament are actually letters. This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of colossians. With the focus on jesus christ as the answer to the colossian heresy, the theme of this letter is clearly. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered the. 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. Clothe yourselves therefore, as gods own chosen ones his own picked representatives, who are purified and holy and wellbeloved by god himself, by putting on behavior marked by tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, and patience which is tireless and longsuffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper. Now lets identify the main theme of the book of colossians and chapter themes. Ephesus, epaphras had been converted and had carried the gospel to colosse cf.
Colossians was likely penned, as were ephesians, philippians, and philemon, during pauls first imprisonment at rome 1. There is an informative appendix section that gives resources to expand your knowledge about colossians. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. The theme of colossians is the complete adequacy of christ as contrasted with the. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to. Modern christians are bombarded with false teachings, such as cultural relativism, universalism. To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to all other powers and attempts to gain. Colossians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. They arise from the basic affirmations of that book. The letters to the colossians and to philemon the pillar new testament commentary pntc. He is the image of the invisible god, the firstborn over all creation. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new.
This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he is shown to be the one who becomes our life. Used by workplace christians, pastors and scholars. List some of the main points discussed in each chapter. Watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Christ is lord over all of creation, including the invisible realm. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of colossians in his audio message from the. Paul progresses from the individual life to the home and family, from work to the way we should treat others. The book of colossians was likely written between a. Record the key word christ on your colossians at a glance chart. Another theme is the importance of separating from the worlds sinful practices. The resounding theme in colossians is the preeminence and sufficiency of christ in all things. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book.
The next step is to enter your payment information. Colossians shows jesus christs divine characteristics. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. 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. The book of colossians addresses problems the church at colossae faced, and it challenges believers to examine all of life and be transformed through the resurrection and love of jesus. When will christians receive their resurrection bodies. The theme of colossians is the complete adequacy of christ as contrasted with the emptiness of mere human philosophy.
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. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. 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. Analysis of ephesians and colossians themes by phd students from stanford, harvard, berkeley.