COLOSSIANS 1

Paul opens his letter to the Colossian church with thanksgiving and prayer and a discussion about Christ.

PAUL AND THE CHURCH AT COLOSSE (1:1-14, 24-29)

The apostle's praise of this church (1:1-8)

How they received the gospel (1:1-6):

Paul commends them in regard to three things.

Their faith toward the Lord (1:1-4a)

Their love toward each other (1:4b)

Their hope toward the future (1:5-6):

They are looking forward to the joys of heaven.

From whom they received the gospel (1:7-8):

Epaphras shared Christ with them and is now ministering with Paul.

The apostle's prayer for this church (1:9-14)

That they will grow in the knowledge of God (1:9)

That they will please God (1:10a)

That they will bear fruit for God (1:10b)

That they will be strengthened by God (1:11)

That they will be thankful to God (1:12-14)

For what the Father did (1:12-13)

For what the Son did (1:14)

The apostle's proclamation to the church (1:24-29):

He has been chosen to reveal God's secret plan to them.

The particulars (1:24-27):

The secret is this: "Christ lives in you, and this is your assurance that you will share in his glory."

The purpose (1:28-29):

"We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ."

CHRIST AND THE CHURCH AT COLOSSE (1:15-23)

Who Christ is (1:15):

He is the visible image of the invisible God.

What Christ has done (1:16-23)

In regard to creation (1:16-17, 20)

He created all things (1:16).

He sustains all things (1:17).

He will reconcile all things (1:20).

In regard to the church (1:18-19, 21-23):

He has been appointed head of the church.

COLOSSIANS 2

Paul refers to two churches, one in Colosse and one in Laodicea.

PAUL'S WISHES FOR THESE TWO CHURCHES (2:1-7)

That both be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love (2:1-2a)

That both understand God's secret plan (2:2b-3)

That both guard against theological deception (2:4-5)

That both continue growing in Christ (2:6-7a)

That both rejoice and be thankful (2:7b)

PAUL'S WARNINGS TO THESE TWO CHURCHES (2:8-23):

The apostle warns against four dangerous and destructive philosophies.

Gnosticism (2:8-10)

The fiction (2:8):

The Gnostics diminish Christ to an angel.

The facts (2:9-10):

Paul says Christ was God incarnate in bodily form.

Legalism (2:11-17)

Paul describes the love of Christ (2:11-15).

We have been crucified and raised to new life with him (2:11-12).

He has forgiven our sins (2:13).

He has blotted out the charges against us (2:14-15).

Paul describes the liberty in Christ (2:16-17):

Because of this, believers should not criticize each other.

In matters of diet (2:16a):

No one should condemn another believer for what he or she eats or drinks.

In matters of days (2:16b-17):

No one should condemn another believer for not celebrating certain holy days, for these old rules were only shadows.

Mysticism (2:18-19)

The fiction (2:18):

Mysticism teaches that God can be known through two methods:

Through the worship of angels (2:18a)

Through the seeing of visions (2:18b)

The facts (2:19):

One can only know God through Christ, who is the head of the body, the church.

Asceticism (2:20-23)

The fiction (2:21-22):

Asceticism teaches that one can purify the spirit by punishing the body.

The facts (2:20, 23)

The spirit cannot be purified by punishing the body (2:23).

The believer's body and spirit have been crucified with Christ (2:20).

COLOSSIANS 3-4:1

Paul writes about the principles of holy living and addresses six types of individuals in regard to this matter.

HOLY LIVING: THE PRINCIPLES (3:1-17)

In regard to the believer's affection (3:1-4)

The place of our affection (3:1-3):

We must transfer our affection from earth to heaven.

The person of our affection (1:4):

We must direct our affection toward Jesus.

In regard to the believer's spiritual apparel (3:5-17)

What to put off (3:5-9):

God's anger comes on those who practice:

Immorality and idolatry (3:5)

Anger, malice, slander, and filthy language (3:8)

Lying (3:9)

What to put on (3:10-17)

A new nature (3:10-11)

Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (3:12)

Forgiveness and love (3:13-14)

God's peace and thankfulness (3:15)

The words of Christ (3:16-17)

HOLY LIVING: THE PEOPLE (3:18-25; 4:1):

Paul addresses six types of individuals. A. Wives (3:18):

Submit to your husbands.

Husbands (3:19):

Love your wives, and never treat them harshly.

Children (3:20):

Obey your parents.

Fathers (3:21):

Don't aggravate your children.

Servants (3:22-25):

Serve your master as you would serve the Lord.

Masters (4:1):

Treat your servants as you would have your heavenly Master treat you.

COLOSSIANS 4:2-18

Paul closes his letter with a challenge to the Colossians, greetings sent from eight fellow believers, and Paul's own special greetings and encouragements.

PAUL'S CHALLENGE (4:2-6)

The Colossians are to be prayerful (4:2a, 3-4, 18).

For themselves (4:2a)

For the apostle himself (4:3-4, 18)

The Colossians are to be watchful (4:2b).

The Colossians are to be thankful (4:2c).

The Colossians are to be fruitful (4:5-6).

PAUL'S COWORKERS (4:7-14):

Eight fellow believers send their greetings to the Colossians.

Tychicus (4:7-8)

Onesimus (4:9)

Aristarchus and Mark (4:10)

Justus (4:11)

Epaphras (4:12-13)

Luke and Demas (4:14)

PAUL'S GREETINGS (4:15):

Paul sends greetings to the Christian brothers and sisters.

PAUL'S COMMANDS (4:16-17)

To the church at Colosse (4:16)

They are to read this letter (4:16a).

They are to give this letter to the Laodicean church to read (4:16b).

They are to read the letter Paul wrote to the Laodicean church (4:16c).

To Archippus, a church member at Colosse (4:17):

"Be sure to carry out the work the Lord gave you."

PAUL'S BENEDICTION (4:18):

Paul urges the Colossians to "remember my chains" and says, "May the grace of God be with you."