You will receive a periodic newsletter with links to our newest articles and features. Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to colossians, among other reasons, as grounds for doubting authorship by the apostle paul. If philemon and his family were hosts of the church at colosse, then mark a. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. The second half is a miniethics course, addressing every area of christian life. The epistle to the colossians was written by paul the apostle and included with his prison epistles. This semester im involved in an intensive bible study on the book of colossians. This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he. Colossians and philemon zondervan exegetical commentary on the new testament book 12 kindle edition by pao, david w. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible.
The apostle paul wrote his epistle to the colossians because of a report that they were falling into serious error see bible dictionary. Grace be unto you, and peace, from god our father and. In this new situation he uses ideas and expressions that seem to be. It held to strict rules about the kinds of permissible food and drink, religious festivals 2. Colossians was written from rome during pauls first imprisonment, about 6162 ad. It was written to counter and respond to heretical teachings and encourage believers to. The creator, the one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of time and space, the head of the church. The book is wellorganized and easy to follow for the bible study. Jul 28, 2015 why study pauls letters to the colossians and philemon.
Here we have yet another letter from the apostle paul. Pauline epistle, also one of pauls prison epistles, 12th book of the new testament. Title colossians is named for the city of colosse, where the church it was addressed to was located. You may remember him from such new testament letters as romans and 1 corinthians. The mood of colossians is argumentative and controversial, that of ephesians clam and peaceful. Colossians focuses on jesus as the head of the church and the church living in submission to that head. Jesus christ exalted chapter 1 christianity exalted chapters 2 union with christ exalted. Colossians background christianity was the solution, but it is so simple, most people missed the profoundness of it and thus seek to add to it. Introduction to the book of colossians pulpit pages. The epistle to colossians encyclopedia of the bible bible. 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. He heard about their growth and wants to encourage them col 1. Watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4.
Evidence in favor of pauline authorship is the many notable similarities to his other writings. In that to the romans, it is justification by faith. Ephesians and colossians summary the epistle to the ephesians. Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote colossians around 6163 a.
The epistles of paul to the colossians and philemon. But let us not miss the fact that this movement has its source in the occult though hidden under new names and in eastern religions that go all the way back to the beginnings of history with the fall of man. The resounding theme in colossians is the preeminence and sufficiency of christ in all things. While there is not much that is needed to be known here, there are some things to know. One of the most important things to understand about philemon the is background of slavery in the ancient world. The city of colosse is not even mentioned in the book of acts. Shortly after pauls letter was delivered, the entire valley was devastated by a severe earthquake, which further reduced colossaes importance as a city. It would be inconsistent for a christian to live a life apart from christ. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly scripture encouragement to share with family and friends. Colossians was undisputedly pauline until the nineteenth century a.
Colossians and philemon zondervan exegetical commentary. And that is the reason for the colossians gratitude. Take your bible and turn with me to colossians, and i want us to, at least, begin to look at what god might have for us here. Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered the. Colossians 1 bible study, summary and discussion questions.
Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible god, containing within himself the fullness of deity colossians 2. The book of colossians was likely written between a. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. And the new fancy philosophical theories were as catchy and powerful then as todays false teachers and their deceptive tv ministries that fleece the flock and leave people empty and devastated along. Colossians 1 niv bible paul, an apostle of christ jesus. Book summary colossians shows jesus christs divine characteristics. Biblical literature the letter of paul to the colossians. The believer is complete in him alone and lacks nothing because in him dwells all the fullness. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Religion, tradition, and philosophy including mysticism and. Sermons in this series call his name jesus matthew 1. Also, there are many personal references common to philemon and colossians.
Key verses and themes in colossians and philemon bible. Paul wrote the letter to the colossians while in prison, but his several imprisonments leave the specific place and date of composition uncertain. Paulor if colossians is pseudonymous someone writing in the name of paulseeks to persuade the colossians of the. Unlike what we find with most other churches to whom paul wrote, we dont have a record of the. The historical context a daily devotion for june 26, 2014 as we looked at the literary context yesterday, today the goal is to look at the historical context of colossians. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul.
In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. What paul is up against in this epistle is the bastions of human culture. 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 was likely penned, as were ephesians, philippians, and philemon, during pauls first imprisonment at rome 1. Colossiansa 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. H ere is a bible study on colossians chapter one with a summary and discussion questions to follow colossians 1. As part of our letters to the church series, were taking a brief look at each epistle. Youre already logged in with your bible gateway account. From these sources we learn that epaphras was responsible for bringing the gospel to the colossians 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. Colossians commentary matthew henry commentary on the. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. 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 letter of paul to the colossians work by saint 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. Starting your free trial of bible gateway plus is easy. The numerous parallels of vocabulary and matters discussed in ephesians and colossians link these epistles together. It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle. The book of colossians is relatively brief, with only four chapters, but it is very important, with its uniquely powerful and vital presentation of the person and work of jesus christa message probably more urgently. Study the bible online using commentary on colossians and more. At that time, nero was the cruel and insane emperor of the roman empire who could ignore the claims of pauls roman citizenship. Background on colossae and the colossians bible commentary. Christ, and in colossians the emphasis is on the christ as the head of the body. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. The mention of so many people by name in colossians 4. The book of colossians is about the supremacy of the person of christ. Its also important to discover the authors intended meaning of the text in order to interpret it.
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. In introducing a book like this, it is critically important for us to hav. Colossians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, and timothy our brother, to gods holy people in colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in christ. Once we have an informed understanding of slavery in the ancient world we will be able to make better sense out of what paul is writing to philemon regarding his slave and christian brother onesimus. 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. Colossians 1, king james version kjv the bible app. Thus, colossians is a book that speaks to our cosmic age and to this new age movement. 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.
He penned this letter, along with ephesians, philippians, and philemon during his first imprisonment in rome. Jan 02, 2020 timothy is also given some credit colossians 1. The first part of the epistle is an exposition of christs supremacy chs. Introduction to the book of colossians tonight i want to begin a study of the book of colossians. The book of colossians is pauls letter to the christians at colosse. 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. Colossians 4 background information with maps and images. Colossians is a fantastic letter written by the apostle paul to the early church at colossae. Because of his divine nature, jesus is sovereign, above all things with an authority given him by the father. 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. These letters also known as epistles contain both general christian teaching and specific instructions for the congregation to which they were addressed. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book.
It was written to counter and respond to heretical teachings and encourage believers to serve with fervor and passion. The book of colossians my purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of god, namely, christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 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. Paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, and timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in christ which are at colosse. Participant handouts for colossians and philemon if youre working with a class or small group, feel free to duplicate the following handouts in this appendix at no additional charge. But he often prayed for the christians there colossians 1. This was a letter, written by paul, under the inspiration of the holy ghost, to the church at colossae.
There is an informative appendix section that gives resources to expand your knowledge about colossians. This outline of colossians is intended to assist you as you investigate the pages of gods holy word his letter to you. Since pauls letter to the colossians is considered a warning and corrective against a heresy. In colossians, paul mentions the faithful and beloved brother, onesimus col. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to. Before paul wrote this letter to the christians in colossae, he had never been to their city colossians 2. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society.
The developed theology of the letter, many believe, indicates that it was composed by paul in. The next step is to enter your payment information. Colossians presents the problem of having, on the one hand, numerous though superficial affinities with the circumstances of the letter of paul to philemon while, on the other hand, being addressed mainly to a different situation. 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. All our biblical information about the church there comes from this letter and a few allusions in the letter to philemon. Colossians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of colossians for bible study or sunday school lessons. That colossians is a genuine letter of paul is usually not disputed. Did you know that most of the books that comprise the new testament are actually letters. Ephesians, colossians and philemon written at the same time. Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in. First, colossians is unrivalled in its portrayal of the person of the lord jesus christ. 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. 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 is a prison epistle letter written while in prison.
Paul had been imprisoned at rome and received messages about heresies at the church in colossae. The letters to the colossians and to philemon are believed to have been written by paul from prison sometime circa 60 to 62. However, this was probably a circular letter, intended for other churches in addition to the one in ephesus see notes on 1. Paul makes a few statements as to why he wrote this letter. The book of colossians gives the clearest, most comprehensive teaching on christology of all pauls epistles. Read colossians commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete.
We may say that each of pauls greater epistles has in it one salient thought. The church at colossae was likely established during pauls third missionary journey as he ministered for three years in ephesus. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in colossae. On this point the same problem exists as with ephesians and philippians see the introductions to these letters.
Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. For example, the description of the church in colossians 2. Pauls purpose in writing this letter is to show that christ is supreme and that the christians life should manifest hisher union with the one who is above all things. Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered.
Colossians summary from the easyenglish bible easy. The letter to philemon tells us that onesimus was the slave of a christian named philemon philem. Paul reminded the christians about the importance of jesus. 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. Colossians the book of colossians is the 12th book of the new testament, which contains the epistle of paul to the colossians, a letter written by the apostle paul to the church of colossae around 50 ce. God worked in creation, making humans workers in his image colossians 1. Introduction to colossians bible exposition commentary. Paul wrote the letter to the colossians while in prison, but his several.
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