The Book of Colossians Colossians 2:6-7 therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 1
Background for the letter of Paul to the Colossians 1. Date, place and author The city of Colossae was in the valley of the Lycus River, 150 kilometres east of Ephesus, in the southern part of modern Turkey. They seemed to have learned the gospel from Epaphras, a native of Collosae (1:7). This was most likely during the time of Pauls ministry in Ephesus, around 52-55AD. Acts 19:10 speaks about Paul s representatives carrying the gospel throughout Asia Minor. Colossae would seem to have been a cosmopolitan place with various cultural and religious elements, beliefs and practices. The letter is brought by Tychicus (4:7). It is likely that Epaphras is imprisoned with Paul at the time of writing. (Phil 23, Col 4:12). Most believe Paul s imprisonment to be in Rome at this time, hence the letter was most likely sent at the same time as the letters to the Ephesians and to Philemon. They are dated early in Paul s prison time. Epaphras visited Paul in prison, reporting that the gospel was bearing fruit and growing (1:3-7) and that the Colossians were standing firm in their faith (2:5). But this was accompanied by a warning of false teachers amongst them (2:4, 8, 16, 18). Paul addresses this substantially in chapter 2. The letter primarily deals with the false teacher issue. 4:16 indicates that this false teaching had even spread to neighbouring towns and churches such as at Laodicea needed Paul s guidance on this also. 2
2. A Colossian heresy? Because of a low Christology (a low view of who Christ is very human, but not very divine more like a man, but not really like God), the suggestion from the false teachers was that the Colossian Christians had not come to fullness in Christ (2:10). They were being taught that the only way they could be qualified as Christians was on the basis of spiritual experiences. Hence, fullness as a Christian was taught from self-denial, which lead to visions and experiences, which was preparation for spiritual life and access into God s presence. In other words, they were teaching that Christ was not enough! Major Themes Christology (Who Jesus Christ is) 1:15-20 is the key text. Ecclesiology (the Church) Christ as head of the church, his body (2:10). The heavenly assembly gathered around the risen and exalted Christ (3:1-4). Church is also a small gathering of a local church (4:15-16). The Church is visible when they meet under the headship of Christ where he rules (1:2) Eschatology (the last days) Paul confirms that we have already attained salvation and are seated with Christ in heaven. This counters the false teaching in Colossae that we must DO things to attain this status. See 3:4, 6, 24; 1:22, 28 References D. A. Carson, D.J. Moo & L. Morris, An Introduction to the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992) G.F. Hawthorne, R.P. Martin & D.G. Reid (eds), Dictionary of Paul and his Letters (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993) F.F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Free Spirit, (Exeter: Paternoster, 1980) 3
STUDY 1 - Colossians 1:1-29 1. OPENING DISCUSSION: How do you show your thankfulness to God and to other people every day? (for example using words, deeds, etc?) Read each section, then answer the questions before moving on to the next section: A. 1:1-8 Greeting and Thanksgiving These opening verses are both personal and pastoral, especially considering he had never met them. Paul encourages them in their faith and hope, which is secure in heaven and unable to be touched by anyone! The gospel is referred to as the word of the truth, as opposed to the false gospel that he is about to attack. 2. What is Paul thankful for as he reflects on the faith of the Colossian church? 3. What are you thankful for in the faith of the people in your Church? B. 1:9-14 Prayer for his readers. Paul prays for discernment of God s will and the power to DO God s will. The work of salvation has already been done for them. This section introduces the major themes of the letter- the universal spread of the gospel, hope, knowledge, wisdom, and behaviour that pleases God. 4. What is Pauls prayer for the Colossians? What is he really hoping to see in them? 5. What is your prayer for your church? C. 1:15-20 Christ as Lord in Creation and Redemption The hymn of praise (1:15-20) explains their relationship to God the image of the invisible God and their relationship to creation he is before, and supreme over, creation. All power is subject to Christ (1:16) and he sustains 4
all creation (1:17). The resurrection is addressed as he calls Christ the head of the body, the church (1:18). And then the clear announcement that Christ is supreme (18) and has all the fullness of God in him (19) and is able to reconcile all things to him (20) by making peace through his blood shed on the cross. Christ brings all of creation back to the created and intended order. He is powerful over all powers, and is able to reconcile God and man. The supremacy of Christ is the main idea of Colossians. 6. Why is the supremacy of Christ SO important to Paul? What are the likely effects of watering this down? 7. How is the statement God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him unique to the Christian faith in the way it speaks of Jesus? D. 1:21-23 Reconciliation accomplished and applied. The Colossians were previously alienated from God, but now are reconciled with him. This is to prepare them for the final day. But they must continue in their faith (23). Paul calls on them to remain true to the true faith. He does not want them to be distracted. 8. In what ways can Christians sometimes be distracted from their faith? How do we avoid being distracted? E. 1:24-2:5 Paul s mission and pastoral concern As a servant of the gospel (23), Paul describes his suffering in this task. The mystery he proclaims is the mystery of God offering his salvation to the Gentiles (26-27). 9. The word mature is often also translated as perfect in verse 28. The word is teleion which means heading towards our final purpose our intended end and completion. What do you think this means for us as Christians? What is God s purpose, or end, for mankind? 5
STUDY 2: Colossians 2:1-23 The lives of the Colossian Christians will be strengthened as they come to know Christ more. In Christ is hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. They do not need any extras! (2:3) 1. Have you ever heard false teaching about who Jesus is? Read each section, then answer the questions before moving on to the next section: A. 2:6-15 Antidote for error The false teachers are trying to offer authority based on worldly traditions and principals, not heavenly ones. Yet, in Christ ALL the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form (2:9). With these words, Paul incorporates the fullness of Christ to include the trinity. There is nothing outside of him needed for knowing God. Furthermore, they participate in his death, burial and resurrection (2:11-15). This achieved complete power over all powers. Whilst the spiritual powers still exist in this world, they have been defeated for the Christian. There is, therefore, no need for the Colossians to grovel before the spiritual powers of the world as if anyone or anything else controlled the line of communication between God and man. 2. What comfort does a Christian gain from knowing that the fullness of God and everything we need to know about him is revealed to us in Christ? 3. What does it mean to share in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus? (11-15) 4. How important are these verses with regard to the central teachings of the Christian faith? 6
5. Verse 15 - What ARE the spiritual powers? If Jesus disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, do we need to worry about them? B. 2:16-23 A defence of Christian Freedom Misunderstanding the person and work of Christ leads to false practices in faith. The prohibitions of the false teachers (2:16-17) show immaturity. This is the shadow of true faith. Christ is the reality. The substance. In him there is sanctification, not in rituals. Paul calls out the false teachers as sensual in their beliefs (2:18). Rather than divine revelation, they are depending upon human revelation through what they have seen (visions). (2:19). Paul reminds the Colossians that when they died in Christ, they died to the elemental powers of this world. Putting themselves back under the rules and regulations (2:21) would be putting themselves back in slavery. The harsh treatment of the body (2:23) seems wise but lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. That power comes only from Christ who is powerful over all things. 6. Do you judge people by what they eat or drink, or how they celebrate festivals? 7. What does false humility look like? Have you ever been guilty of this? 8. Verse 18 - What is the danger of focusing on feelings and experiences for our faith and trust in God? What does Paul call us to rely on? 9. What regulations do we impose on ourselves as Christians that aren t really biblical? Perhaps these are things we do and observe because we ve always done it that way. 7
STUDY 3 Colossians 3:1-17 In this chapter, Paul is speaking of the heavenly assembly gathered around the risen and exalted Christ (3:1-4). However, this heavenly gathering is manifested here on earth now. 1. Why should we gather together as Christians? What do we lose if we don t physically gather? Read each section, then answer the questions before moving on to the next section: A. 3:1-17 New life in Christ Paul now instructs the Colossians how they are to grow in Christ not by the program of the false teachers, but by the practical implications of life in Christ. They are to seek things that are above (3:1) since they have died to the old way and have been raised in new life. They have put to death the old earthly nature and have a new nature, renewed in the image of the creator (3:10). Therefore, they are to put on these new characteristics like new clothes (3:12). 1. Why is Paul concerned about the Colossians focussing on earthly things and not heavenly things? 2. Christian living isn t just an individual experience. We are saved into the body of Christ, so Christian living will always have a corporate focus. How might the actions and attitudes of verses 5-8 be destructive in the church? 3. Do you think Paul really expected the Colossians to be successful in putting sin to death? How much victory over sin do you think we should expect in life here and now? 8
4. How does earthly thinking lead to idolatry? Are we in danger of this today? 5. What actual ways of life is Paul calling them to? (for example verse 9 Do not lie to each other). 6. Does the way we speak to each other at church matter? (verse 9) 7. How can our speech together be a reflection of what has happened to us because of Jesus? 8. Verse 13 how do we bear with one another? What makes this difficult sometimes? 9. Verses 16 17: Why do you think Paul is urging the Colossians with these words? What may have been happening for him to say this? How is this helpful for us to hear today? 10. Should Christians campaign for Christian morality in a non-christian society?! 9
STUDY 4 Colossians 3:18-4:18 Paul wants the Colossians to see beyond earthly thinking when it comes to relationships. So he continues on from 3:12 to encourage them put on new clothing in the way they relate to each other. Again, they are to be heaven focussed, not earth focussed. 1. What are some of the key influences in your life that have impacted the way you live your life? (People, events, possessions, work, etc.) Read each section, then answer the questions before moving on to the next section: A. 3:18-4:1 Family duties This section is often referred to as the household code it speaks of the relationships of husbands, wives, children, fathers, masters and slaves. 2. If we think back to Genesis 1-2 and the order with which God created the universe, how do we see our God of order in these verses? 3. What are the concerns people may have with verse 18? How can we address these concerns? 4. Verse 19 What are the possible results of harsh husbands in today s society? How do we address this as a church community? 5. What are the concerns children may have with verse 20? How can we address these concerns for our children? Is Christian parenting any different to non-christian parenting? 6. How does verse 24 summarise the purpose behind this passage? 10
Note on 4:1 Many readers of the Bible today are shocked that Paul doesn t seek to overturn the institution of slavery when he writes to the churches. We have to remember that 1 st century slavery was very different to 18 th & 19 th century slavery. In the 1 st century up to 80% of the inhabitants of Rome were slaves; many held high office, some had voluntarily taken on indentured service to overcome significant debt. 1 st century slavery was not based on race or kidnapping in the way that 18 th & 19 th century slavery was. (Christians like Wilberforce rightly opposed 19 th century slavery; and the Bible condemns slave traders who kidnap their victims 1 Timothy 1:10). In fact what is interesting is that Paul addresses slaves directly; slaves were full, responsible and equal members of the church family! B. 4:2-18 Conclusion and notes. Paul concludes as he begins pastorally and personally. The Colossians are encouraged to share in Paul s ministry by praying for him (4:2-4) and he provides personal details to help them in their prayers for him (4:7ff). This is the type of partnership Paul also has with the Philippian church (Philippians 1:3-6) one of prayer and mission. 7. How does Paul tie in prayer together with the proclamation of the gospel in verses 2-6? 8. Look at verses 12-13. We met Epaphras back in chapter 1, where we learned that he was the local evangelist who brought the gospel to his friends at Colossae. Now we discover that he is a prayer warrior as well. In verses 12-13, what do we learn about prayer ministry? 9. In what ways do you partner with other Christians in prayer? Who are you praying for and who is praying for you? 10. Are Paul s final greetings helpful for us in any way? What do they reveal to us about Christian relationships? 11
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