This begins with a focus on the new life believers have in jesus colossians 3. The purpose of the letter the letters to the colossians and to philemon are believed to have been written by paul from prison sometime circa 60 to 62. Paul wrote to warn against this false teaching and to encourage the believers in their growth toward christian maturity. Before paul wrote this letter to the christians in colossae, he had never been to their city colossians 2. To accomplish this goal, he exalts christ as the very image of god 1. 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. To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to. Purpose and theme pauls purpose is to refute the colossian heresy. Introduction to the epistle of paul to the colossians. The letter of paul to the colossians work by saint paul. The letter of paul to the colossians work by saint paul britannica.
Colossians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of colossians for bible study or sunday school lessons. 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. A dangerous teaching was threatening the church at colossae, one that lessened christs role and undermined the new identity of believers in christ 1. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. The creator, the one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of time and space, the head of the church. 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. Colossians is a book in the new testament of the bible it is a letter written by paul to the church at colosse.
In a few days we will give you great news regarding our course paul and his letter to the colossians. First, colossians is unrivalled in its portrayal of the person of the lord jesus christ. Overview of the book of colossians reformed answers to. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. What was the purpose of pauls letter to the colossians. They must grasp who jesus is and what he did for them. Colossians is written as an epistle to the christians of colossi. At that time, nero was the cruel and insane emperor of the roman empire who could ignore the claims of pauls roman citizenship. The book of colossians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. As noted, though, the totals here are hardly extraordinary. 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.
We will, however, occasionally reference why paul may have thought it necessary to include certain teachings in writing to the church in colossae. Interestingly and in line with the idea of timothy as scribe for ephesians and colossians, 10 words are found only in colossians and ephesians in the nt, and 15 more are found in these two letters alone of letters attributed to paul. A dangerous teaching was threatening the church at colossae, one that lessened christs role and undermined the new. Why study pauls letters to the colossians and philemon. Book summary colossians shows jesus christs divine characteristics.
Paul was careful to warn the colossians that angels should not be worshipped colossians 2. The reason for this was seen clearly by lightfoot, who said, new. In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. This focus involves christians giving attention to godly, spiritual ideas, rather than sinful, earthly ones.
This study will focus on what the book of colossians teaches to help us meet our needs today. In the meantime, you can access our free course on the letter to philemon, which is mentioned in the video. Evidence in favor of pauline authorship is the many notable similarities to his other writings. Paul took care to show that jesus did the work of reconciliation himself colossians 1. Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. The primary purpose of the letter was clearly to combat this false teaching. It was probably written while paul was imprisoned in rome around ad60. Apparently, soon after writing colossians, with time on his hands in prison, he developed the themes in the letter we know as ephesians. The purpose of pauls epistle to the colossians is to instruct the believers that salvation is only in jesus christ. Paul had received a report of the situation at colosse by way of epaphras.
Key verses and themes in colossians and philemon bible. However, it has long been recognised by new testament scholars that paul was not the author of this epistle. 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. Its also important to discover the authors intended meaning of the text in order to interpret it. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of christ unto another gospel. Gnosticism and some forms of jewish mysticism greatly esteemed these supposed mediators, and considered them angelic beings of a sort.
What is the major purpose for the book of galatians. It was written to counter and respond to heretical teachings and encourage believers to. As part of our letters to the church series, were taking a brief look at each epistle. The book of colossians encourages christians to not compromise or turn from jesus.
First, paul addresses topics related to christian conduct colossians 3. In the book of colossians, 55 greek words are used that do not appear in any other of pauls epistles. What did paul want the colossians and laodiceans to know 2. When we became new creatures in christ, we put to death therefore what is earthly in you. Colossians a historical background study doing a historical background study is helpful in understanding the specific situation and setting of the author and the reader of biblical literature. Only the message of christ is the word of truth and the faith colossians 1. The first half of the book of colossians is a theological treatise that includes one of the most profound presentations of.
This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he is shown to be the one who becomes our life. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of colossians in his audio message from. 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. Was located in the region of the seven churches of asia. 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. Understanding the message of christ is essential to fulfilling his mission. This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he. This book was likely written about ad 60 and one in which he wrote from prison, along with ephesians, colossians, and philemon. Colossians intro to colossians biblica the international bible.
Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. Written with the single purpose to display the supremacy and sufficiency of jesus, the book of colossians answers the two questions every person asks. Whatever the problem then was, what paul said to them is a very important message for us today. Was a populous commerce center, famous for its glossy. The letter of paul to the colossians, new testament writing addressed to christians at colossae. Colossians and galatians is correction of serious doctrinal deviation from the alreadygiven standard. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to. Its purpose is to teach forgiveness and acceptance. 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. The book of colossians gives the clearest, most comprehensive teaching on christology of all pauls epistles. Understanding the message of the gospel colossians. These letters also known as epistles contain both general christian teaching and specific instructions for the congregation to which they were addressed. It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle.
The developed theology of the letter, many believe, indicates that it was composed by paul in. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. The main purpose of the book of galatians is to vindicate pauls call by god and the gospel of grace. Did you know that most of the books that comprise the new testament are actually letters. Outline of the book of colossians greeting, thanksgiving, and prayer colossians 1.
Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. He is preeminent over all and he is recreating a new creature in us. Assignments on colossians 2 please read the whole book of colossians again as we study chapter 2. Paul wrote his epistle to the colossians because of a report that they were falling into serious error see bible dictionary, pauline. 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. As a means of overcoming fear of the astral or cosmic powers, and under the guise of revelations the philosophers received in ecstatic states, the colossians were being urged to pursue a regimen of asceticism, abstinence and angel veneration. Thus, colossians is a book that speaks to our cosmic age and to this new. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4. The second half is a miniethics course, addressing every area of christian life. What was the purpose of the letter to the colossians answers. The purpose of this reconciliation is plainly through him and not of ourselves 1. For example, the description of the church in colossians 2.