A dangerous teaching was threatening the church at colossae, one that lessened christs role and undermined the new. Both include paul and timothys name in the opening greeting col. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. The first half of the book of colossians is a theological treatise that includes one of the most profound presentations of christology anywhere in. Watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Introduction to the book of colossians tonight i want to begin a study of the book of colossians. The church at colossae was likely established during pauls third missionary journey as he ministered for three years in ephesus. Bible study in colossians christianity was new and seemed too good and too simple to be true.
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. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. Second principle the second principle is to identify the literary units. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to jesus.
Here comes a new, early church that grew out of judaism from an evangelism campaign by pauls proteges. Paul argues for the all sufficiency of christ and his teachings over the false wisdom being touted by heretical teachers. Christ is lord over all of creation, including the. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. 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. Introduction to the book of colossians learn religions. Picture study bible colossians bible history online. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. Delivered out of the authority of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of the son of his love. He is the center of the circle around which all christian living revolves. Specifically, we see jesus as the very image of god, as the creator, as he who has always existed, as the head of the church and as the great reconciler, and most importantly, as the one in whom all the fullness of god dwells.
Bible study on colossians this bible study on colossians provides us an insight into the nature of jesus christ. 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. The book of colossians addresses problems the church at colossae faced, and it challenges believers to examine all of life and be transformed through the resurrection and love of jesus. The letters to the colossians and to philemon are believed to have been written by paul from prison sometime circa 60 to 62. This kind of study enables the student to step behind the scenes of the text and understand the why of the books contents.
All our biblical information about the church there comes from this letter and a few allusions in the letter to philemon. Colossians is one of pauls four prison epistles col 4. The book of colossians purpose, besides showing the supremacy, sufficiency, and divinity of christ, is how christians are to live in the world and before god col 3. Colossians, ephesians and philemon, paul bound, the gospel. Colossians background christianity was the solution, but it is so simple, most people missed the profoundness of it and thus seek to add to it. This 12week study walks readers through two pauline letters that highlight the beauty of the gospel of jesus christ and how it informs christians relationships with one another. Bible study questions on the book of colossians introduction. 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 scholars have increasingly questioned pauls authorship and attributed the letter to an. Bruce, paul, the apostle of the heart set free, pp. This was about the same time he wrote ephesians and philemon. Colossians was written from rome during pauls first imprisonment, about 6162 ad. At that time, nero was the cruel and insane emperor of the roman empire who could ignore the claims of pauls roman citizenship.
The study guide and new translation from the critical greek texts and papyri are filled with the details and background of every chapter and verse regarding the authority that god has given to christ, the mystery, and how christians ought to interact with oneanother. From these sources we learn that epaphras was responsible for bringing the gospel to the colossians colossians 1. In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. Colossiansa historical background study doing a historical background study is helpful in understanding the specific situation and setting of the author and the reader of biblical literature. Niv study bible intro to colossians intro to colossians biblica. Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible god, containing within himself the fullness of deity colossians 2. Colossians 3 background information with maps and images. Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered the author of the book and why. The city of colosse is not even mentioned in the book of acts. Colossians is named for the city of colosse, where the church it was addressed to was located. Colossians a historical background study doing a historical background study is helpful in understanding the specific situation and setting of the author and the reader of biblical literature. Indeed, he is the image of the invisible god, the sovereign and preeminent one among all creation col. Pauls purpose in writing this letter is to show that christ is supreme and that the christians life should manifest hisher union with the one who is above all things.
Verses 14 as christians are freed from the ceremonial law, they must walk the more closely with god in gospel obedience. The mood of colossians is argumentative and controversial, that of ephesians clam and peaceful. The epistles of paul to the colossians and philemon. Colossians teaches principles for living a christian life in the midst of a nonchristian culture. Colossians 1 commentary william barclays daily study bible. Paul has much to say of the hope, to which the colossians have already listened and which they have already accepted.
It sought to add to his work by calling for human works of religion or asceticism. Thus, colossians is a book that speaks to our cosmic age and to this. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource. Apr 11, 2016 paul argues for the all sufficiency of christ and his teachings over the false wisdom being touted by heretical teachers.
Colossians, ephesians and philemon, paul bound, the. This letter was written by paul, an apostle of jesus christ 1. The book of colossians is about the supremacy of the person of christ. If philemon and his family were hosts of the church at colosse, then. Sometimes this calls for us to stand against the tide of public. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to. Introduction to colossians bible exposition commentary.
There are close links between colossians and philemon the latter of which is generally unquestioned as a genuine work of paul. This was a letter, written by paul, under the inspiration of the holy ghost, to the church at colossae. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of. 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. Both include greetings from those with paul at this time, namely, aristarchus, mark, epaphras, luke. A study guide for women, is to offer assistance in the task of applying the bible to daily life. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. Colossians was likely penned, as were ephesians, philippians, and philemon, during pauls first imprisonment at rome 1. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath. One cannot step over the threshold of this letter into the book of ephesians without being inundated with thoughts of gods mercy and grace. Our faith in jesus christ should transform the relationships we have in every area of our livesin our homes, our churches, and our world. He penned this letter, along with ephesians, philippians, and philemon during his first imprisonment in rome.
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. From these sources we learn that epaphras was responsible for bringing the gospel to. The numerous parallels of vocabulary and matters discussed in ephesians and colossians link these epistles together. Although colossians is similar to ephesians, it is brief while the book of ephesians is much more articulate and extensive. The epistle to the colossians was written by paul the apostle and included with his prison epistles. From a study of colossians and from information derived historically, the features of the colossian heresy fell into at least the following characteristics. By comparing the epistle to the colossians with that written to philemon, it is reasonable to suppose that the church at colosse met in their home cf. Against the tide study 1 leaders guide how to please god to please god we need to love him enough to make a difference in the way we act, think, and live. It would be inconsistent for a christian to live a life apart from christ. 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. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote colossians around 6163 a. And the new fancy philosophical theories were as catchy and powerful then as todays false teachers and their deceptive tv ministries that fleece the flock and leave people empty and devastated along. Interpreters have no right to isolate one aspect of truth by excluding others.
The apostle paul wrote this letter to christians living in the small city of colossae. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4. This bible study on colossians provides us an insight into the nature of jesus christ. Colossians directs our attention to the head of the body who is christ. If philemon and his family were hosts of the church at colosse, then mark a.
God worked in creation, making humans workers in his image colossians 1. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. 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. For this reason, this study guide commentary is designed to provide an introduction to each book of the bible. By him are all things held together, and all power in the natural world comes from him. 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. The book of colossians was likely written between a. The external testimony to the pauline authorship of colossians is ancient and consistent. Introduction to the book of colossians pulpit pages. Colossians niv paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. It is the unknown god that science is struggling with today. A church planter named epaphras helped these colossians embrace the new life and way, so they were. Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located.
As a guide for women in particular, it is designed to assist you as a christian woman in your discipleship to jesus. Colossians focuses on jesus as the head of the church and the church living in submission to that head. So paul sent this letter, along with the letters to philemon and to the ephesians, with tychicus, accompanied by onesimus colossians 4. Jul 28, 2015 colossians and philemon christopher a. The general consensus is that these epistles were written during pauls imprisonment at rome cf. Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered the. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new. If with christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe. 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. Paul wrote his letter to the colossians while in prison, probably in rome. Jesus christ exalted chapter 1 christianity exalted chapters 2 union with christ exalted chapter 34.
This article is also available and sold as a booklet. Though he did not personally know the recipients, paul was acquainted with them. Its message is of a god who is a friend and lover of the souls of men. History and literature of early christianity, introduction to the new testament vol 2.
Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. May 02, 2020 timothy is also given some credit colossians 1. Its also important to discover the authors intended meaning of the text in order to interpret it. The apostle paul was the primary writer of the book of colossians colossians 1. It had been an important town during the greek and persian war of the fifth century b. Because of his divine nature, jesus is sovereign, above all things with an authority given him by the father. As a guide to bible study, it shares tyndales motive to know more of the scripture. True bible study colossians and philemon paperback august 9, 2008. They were in a very difficult, greek, pagan culture and were having birthing and growing pains.
A study of deeper faith in colossians, part 14 november 3, 2014 mike minter sermons 1 peter, colossians, titus as the church, we should be known more for the good we do than the evil that we hate. Christ, and in colossians the emphasis is on the christ as the head of the body. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Colossians core group study guide a study on the book of colossians. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of philemon information useful to understand before a study of the letters contents slavery in the grecoroman world one of the most important things to understand about philemon is the background of slavery in the ancient world. Background on colossae and the colossians bible commentary. The ancient city of colossae was built on a major trade route through the lycus river valley in the roman province of asia minor in the southwest corner of. Also, there are many personal references common to philemon and colossians. As with all heresy, it detracted from the person and work of christ. Shortly after pauls letter was delivered, the entire valley was devastated by a severe earthquake, which further reduced colossaes importance as a city. Colossians executable outline study resources blue letter bible.