Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. We give thanks to god and the father of our lord jesus christ, praying always for you. Colossians author, recipients, and greeting alan knox. Watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Colossians 1 niv paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the bible. The books of reference used for this study of the book of colossians were the bible, king james version, called the companion bible, publisher kregel. Before paul wrote this letter to the christians in colossae, he had never been to their city colossians 2.
Chapters 14 of pauls letter to the colossians read aloud. This book reads well, the author did his homework in giving many aspects of this book,when it was written, the condition, and the cross referencing is very thorough, i appreciate this in depth study in colossians. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. Believers are in christ, and so they share in christs death, resurrection, new life, and his fullness 2.
It was apparently familiar liturgical material to the author. He penned this letter, along with ephesians, philippians, and philemon during his first imprisonment in rome. Colossians 1, new international version niv the bible app. Sermons in this series call his name jesus matthew 1. The developed theology of the letter, many believe, indicates that it was composed by paul in rome about ad. The teaching will primarily be discussion which ive found requires more preparation than lecture style, but thats another post for another day. The letter of paul to the colossians, also called the epistle of st.
Why study pauls letters to the colossians and philemon. I would recomend it to any student of the word, easy to read, and not childish in nature. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. We will focus on the main themes that arise throughout the book such as the supremacy of christ, the freedom we experience through the gospel, and how to live a life pleasing to the lord. It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle. Nearby sat laodicea, the chief city of the district. The letter of paul to the colossians work by saint paul.
Paul presented christ as the center of the universe, not only as the active creator but also as the recipient of creationin his taking on of human flesh. Colossians bible book with full chapters king james version. Most of the residents of colossae were native phrygians, a strong greek influence manifested itself through the prevailing greek language and customs. Popular colossians books meet your next favorite book. Colosse was a phrygian city in asia minor which would locate it in modern day turkey.
While the entire bible points us to jesus christ, the book of colossians gives us as its core, the centrality and supremacy of jesus christ. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole worldjust as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood gods grace. Colossians core group study guide a study on the book of colossians. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge according to the webster dictionary. Paul encourages the colossian christians to see jesus as the center of all reality, so they dont give in to pressure from other religions. Indeed, he is the image of the invisible god, the sovereign and preeminent one among all creation col. For example, the description of the church in colossians 2. The hope which is laid up for you in heaven paul often spoke of going to heaven.
Colossians 1, king james version kjv the bible app. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea. 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. Introduction to the book of colossians tonight i want to begin a study of the book of colossians.
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. This outline of colossians is intended to assist you as you investigate the pages of gods holy word his letter to you. Book of colossians colossians chapter 1 colossians chapter 2 colossians chapter 3 colossians chapter 4. This was about the same time he wrote ephesians and philemon. 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. Colossians was undisputedly pauline until the nineteenth century a.
Some of the most exalted language concerning him is found in this short jewel. Who is the head of every ruler and authority, christ is not only the head of the universe 1. Colossians was written by paul at around the same time as philemon, either from rome shortly before pauls death 5962 a. Paul apparently wrote to the colossian church because he had heard that false teachers had come to the city and were spreading erroneous doctrine in the young church. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4. This letter was written by paul, an apostle of jesus christ 1. Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of colossians in the bible king james version. Christians share in his power and authority over that realm 2. 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. What words does he use to describe the action of the gospel in verses 5 and 6. The second half is a miniethics course, addressing every area of christian life. Christ is lord over all of creation, including the. It can also be said that wisdom is the opposite of philosophy. May 02, 2020 timothy is also given some credit colossians 1.
The book of colossians was likely written between a. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to the strongs concordance numbers. Colossians 2 esv for i want you to know how great a bible. First, colossians is unrivalled in its portrayal of the person of the lord jesus christ. Rome paul was in prison this book is one of the prison epistles, written along with ephesians, philippians, and philemon. The epistle of paul to the colossians, often referred to simply as colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. That colossians is a genuine letter of paul is usually not disputed. This was a letter, written by paul, under the inspiration of the holy ghost, to the church at colossae.
This hymn may be compared with similar passages in phil 2. Top 5 commentaries on the books of colossians and philemon. Evidence in favor of pauline authorship is the many notable similarities to his other writings. Bruce, paul, the apostle of the heart set free, pp. The apostle paul wrote this letter to christians living in the small city of colossae. You ve made your way into the letters of paulwelcome to the wonderful world of. There are a number of helpful commentaries on colossians and philemon, and the following are five of the. Paul the apostle to the colossians, new testament writing addressed to christians at colossae, asia minor, whose congregation was founded by pauls colleague epaphras. Commentary for colossians 1 this epistle was sent because of some difficulties which arose among the colossians, probably from false teachers, in consequence of which they sent to the apostle. Colossians located near the upper end of the lycus valley, colossae lay approximately one hundred miles east of ephesus in asia minor. The book of colossians is about the supremacy of the person of christ. Colossiansphilemon, volume 44 word biblical commentary. And that is the reason for the colossians gratitude.
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. 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. 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. All three cities are mentioned in the book of colossians. Colossians follows the outline of a typical pauline letter. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. 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. The colossians need no further mysteries than the mystery of christ. The book of colossians commentary by pastor ron beckham. 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. Jul 28, 2015 why study pauls letters to the colossians and philemon. The absolute truth of wisdom is that wisdom is one of the names of jesus christ the messiah. Jul 03, 2014 while the entire bible points us to jesus christ, the book of colossians gives us as its core, the centrality and supremacy of jesus christ.
Christ has defeated the powers of darkness on the cross. Feb 22, 2009 the epistles to the colossians and to philemon were written by paul during the early part of his roman imprisonment. It was one of the triplet cities located on the lycus river near where it joins the maeander river. 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. The book of colossians gives the clearest, most comprehensive teaching on christology of all pauls epistles. There are a number of helpful commentaries on colossians and philemon, and the following are five of the best. John from the holy bible new international version niv book 43 please note we have increased the volume and the pitch of the audio for a clearer sound, so. Colossians these are all of the chapters of the book of colossians.
Introduction to the book of colossians pulpit pages. The book of colossians contains some of the most theologically deep words concerning christ, such as he is the image of the invisible god 1. The scope of the epistle is to show, that all hope of mans redemption is founded on christ, in whom alone are all complete fulness, perfections, and. Colossiansphilemon, volume 44 word biblical commentary obrien, peter, hubbard, david allen, barker, glenn w. Though he did not personally know the recipients, paul was acquainted with them. 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.
This is the new king james version of the new testament book of colossians. In a nutshell, this sermon series is all about christ. 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. The epistles to the colossians and to philemon were written by paul during the early part of his roman imprisonment. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to jesus.