The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to jesus. They are included in the body of the text so the reader can see them as he reads the. Shortly after pauls letter was delivered, the entire valley was devastated by a severe earthquake, which further reduced colossaes importance as a city. They are soluble only by the radical reaffirmation and consequent implementation of the theme. For example, the description of the church in colossians 2. The letters to the colossians and to philemon the pillar new testament commentary pntc. The believer is complete in him alone and lacks nothing because in him dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily 2. And the life i now live in the flesh i live by faith in the son of god, who loved me and gave himself for me. It was critical to him that this church know god in his greatness and glory, rather than in the deficient view given them by the false teachers colossians 1. They must grasp who jesus is and what he did for them.
Book summary colossians shows jesus christs divine characteristics. With the focus on jesus christ as the answer to the colossian heresy, the theme of this letter is clearly. Problems, however, had arisen, brought on by teachers who. The creator, the one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of time and space, the head of the church. They become real in the churchs temptation to complicate the stern simplicity of the message of colossians. Paul had been imprisoned at rome and received messages about heresies at the church in colossae. The book of colossians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. The style and content of colossians is similar to ephesians, written about the same time and probably alluded to as the letter from laodicea 4. God worked in creation, making humans workers in his image colossians 1. They arise from the basic affirmations of that book.
Themes in colossians jesus christ is preeminent over all creation, gods chosen way for people to be redeemed and saved. Tychicus was a coworker of paul who would have been able to help the colossian believers understand and apply the apostles teachings in the letter. As with all the early churches, the issue of jewish legalism in colosse was of great concern to paul. In this book, the apostle paul described jesus with some of the loftiest language in all the new testament, focusing on christs preeminence and sufficiency in all things. Though he did not personally know the recipients, paul was. This was about the same time he wrote ephesians and philemon. This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of colossians. The theme is the fruitful and effective power of the gospel message, a message that heralds the supremacy or preeminence, headship, and the sole sufficiency of christ to the church, which is his body. Believers share in christs death on the cross, his resurrection, and eternal life.
List some of the main points discussed in each chapter. The first half of the book of colossians is a theological treatise that includes one of the most profound presentations of. Key verses and themes in galatians, ephesians, and. Paul progresses from the individual life to the home and family, from work to the way we should treat others. What is the theme of the book of colossians answers. In the bible what is the main theme of the book of. That colossians is a genuine letter of paul is usually not disputed. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. The apostle paul wrote this letter to christians living in the small city of colossae. It shows his supremacy over all things, explaining what our godly response should be. Key verses and themes in colossians and philemon bible. Read the book of colossians study the book of colossians summary of the book of colossians.
The main theme of the book of judges is as the judges were chosen to rule and judge the people, they even had ladies as a judge. The community had apparently been established by epaphras of colossae col 1. 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. The early christians banded together to form small local communities where they could worship together and support each other christianity wasnt the most popular religion around. Colossians was likely penned, as were ephesians, philippians, and philemon, during pauls first imprisonment at rome 1. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. You may remember him from such new testament letters as romans and 1 corinthians. Sep 03, 20 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. Explore free resources providing a biblical perspective on faith and work. Also, there are many personal references common to philemon and colossians. Outline of the book of colossians christian library. 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. Like deborah and samuel but samuel was also a prophet.
So paul sent this letter, along with the letters to philemon and to the ephesians, with tychicus, accompanied by onesimus colossians 4. The landscape of the book of colossians scholars believe colossians was penned in a prison in rome, to the church at colossae, in the lycus river valley, now modern turkey. This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he is shown to be the one who becomes our life. Asked in the bible when was the book of the bible colossians written. Paul warns to people of colosse not to allow themselves to be led astray by false teachings. The theme of colossians the theme is the fruitful and effective power of the gospel message, a message that heralds the supremacy or preeminence, headship, and the sole sufficiency of christ to the church, which is his body. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. The creator, the one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of. The book was originally a series of letters written by the apostle paul to the christian communities living in colossae, an ancient city in asia minor. Ephesians and colossians summary the epistle to the ephesians.
The book of colossians was likely written around a. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Discover the basics of the book of colossians with the esv study bible from crossway. Book of colossians free bible study questions, class book, workbook, assignments, and study. At the time of writing, paul had not visited there, the letter says col 1. Summary of the book of colossians story of the bible. Colossians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. Paul defended the faith by exalting the person of jesus, and clarifying the true doctrine of jesus christ.
This letter was written by paul, an apostle of jesus christ 1. Watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This letter is a glorious reminder of everything christ did for us in conquering sin and death. You cant live with them, you cant move to a desert island to escape them. Philippians emphasizes the kenosis christ became a servant philippians 2. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of. 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. It seems that paul did not start the congregation in this city. 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. Colossians emphasizes the pleroma christ is the fullness of god colossians 2. He is the image of the invisible god, the firstborn over all creation.
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. Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered the. Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. In this book, the apostle paul described jesus with some of the loftiest. May 02, 2020 the book of colossians contains doctrinal instruction about the deity of christ and false philosophies 1. The theme of this book is the lordship of jesus christ and his sufficiency in meeting our needs in every area. To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to all other powers and attempts to gain. In this beautiful passage, paul calls the christians in colosse to accept christ and receive his peace. Colossians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of colossians for bible study or sunday school lessons. The book of colossians was likely written between a. In the bible what is the main theme of the book of colossians. It was written to counter and respond to heretical teachings and encourage believers to serve with fervor and passion. Introduction to the book of colossians learn religions. Because of jesus resurrection, believers become part of a new humanity thats joined to him, and their lives are changed and transformed here on earth.
While 34 greek words are unique to colossians, they are characteristic of the theme of the book and fit the thoughts of paul. 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. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book. Paul focuses on the preeminence of jesus in creation, redemption, and godliness. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to. The book of colossians encourages christians to not compromise or turn from jesus.
Colossians major themes online bible knowing jesus. He has redeemed his people, enabling them to participate in his death, resurrection, and fullness. In this little book, we see pauls fulllength portrait of christ. In colossians, paul encourages the colossian christians to see jesus. Colossians shows jesus christs divine characteristics. What position did paul claim to have, and who gave it to him 1. The resounding theme in colossians is the preeminence and sufficiency of christ in all things. Colossians christ is the theme and the periphery of the circle where christian living is the center. They are soluble only by the radical reaffirmation and consequent implementation of the theme christ is all, christ is in all col. The book is wellorganized and easy to follow for the bible study.
This time, pauls writing to the church in ephesus and, boy, does he have a lot to say. Christ is supreme over all of creation and over the church. The key personalities include paul, timothy, tychicus, onesimus, aristarchus, mark, and epaphras. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of colossians in his audio message from the.
Used by workplace christians, pastors and scholars. The letters to the colossians and to philemon the pillar. Another theme is the importance of separating from the worlds sinful practices. The apostle paul was the primary writer of the book of colossians colossians 1. Christ is lord over all of creation, including the. 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. In colossians we have both a brief summary of the elementary expressions and demands of the christian faith and one of the most powerful. Whether or not its fair, folks who have done time in prison arent usually considered the most trustworthy people. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new.
Theme christ is lord over all of creation, including the invisible realm. The numerous parallels of vocabulary and matters discussed in ephesians and colossians link these epistles together. Evidence in favor of pauline authorship is the many notable similarities to his other writings. Here we have yet another letter from the apostle paul. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. Mar, 2019 the landscape of the book of colossians scholars believe colossians was penned in a prison in rome, to the church at colossae, in the lycus river valley, now modern turkey. The book of colossians gives the clearest, most comprehensive teaching on christology of all pauls epistles. The letters to the colossians and to philemon the pillar new testament commentary pntc hardcover august 25, 2008. This letter is addressed to a congregation at colossae in the lycus valley in asia minor, east of ephesus. After you have read the whole epistle, state the theme of the book. But loads of people look to paulwho did his fair share of nights in the slammerfor advice and guidance.
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