Colossians

Overview

Paul writes to the Colossians, a church he had not personally founded, after hearing from Epaphras of both their faith and a dangerous teaching threatening them. The letter answers that threat not chiefly with rebuttal but with a towering vision of Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God, in whom all things were created and hold together, and in whom the fullness of deity dwells bodily.

Because Christ is supreme over every power and principality, believers need nothing added to him. Paul warns against being captured by empty philosophy, legalistic rules, the worship of angels, and harsh self-denial that has no power against sin. These are mere shadows; the substance belongs to Christ, in whom believers are already complete.

Having died and risen with Christ, believers are to set their minds on things above. Paul calls them to put to death the old self with its sins and to put on the new self, clothed in compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, and above all love.

The letter applies this new life to the home and to relationships among husbands, wives, children, and servants, urging that whatever they do be done heartily for the Lord. Paul closes with personal greetings, requests for prayer, and instructions to share the letter with neighboring churches.

Context at a Glance

Author

The apostle Paul, with Timothy named as co-sender

Written

Around AD 60-62, written during Paul's imprisonment

Genre

Epistle

Audience

The church at Colossae, founded through Epaphras, facing false teaching

Central theme

The supremacy and sufficiency of Christ

Key Verse

Colossians 1:15-17 (WEB)

who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.

Paul declares that Christ is the image of the invisible God, the creator and sustainer of all things, who holds the entire universe together.

The Big Movements

• Thanksgiving and the supremacy of Christ (ch. 1) — Paul gives thanks and exalts Christ as Lord of creation and head of the church.
• Warning against false teaching (ch. 2) — Believers are complete in Christ and must not be taken captive by empty human tradition.
• The new life in Christ (ch. 3) — Set your mind above, put off sin, and put on the virtues of the renewed self.
• Christian relationships and farewell (chs. 3-4) — Instructions for the household, calls to prayer, and closing greetings.

Key Figures

• Paul — The apostle and author, writing to strengthen a church against error.
• Timothy — Paul's co-worker and co-sender of the letter.
• Epaphras — The faithful minister who founded the Colossian church and reported on it to Paul.
• Tychicus — The trusted messenger carrying the letter and news of Paul to Colossae.
• Onesimus — The faithful brother accompanying Tychicus, known from the letter to Philemon.

Pointing to Christ

Colossians is one of the New Testament's grandest celebrations of Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the one through whom and for whom everything was made, the head of the church, and the one in whom all the fullness of God dwells. Because he is supreme and sufficient, believers are complete in him and need nothing more.

Big Lessons

• Christ is supreme over all creation and every power.
• In Christ believers are complete and need nothing added.
• Empty philosophy and legalism cannot conquer sin.
• The risen life means setting our minds on things above.
• Love binds all the Christian virtues together.
• Whatever we do can be done heartily for the Lord.