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Paul's letters · New Testament · 4 chapters

The book of Colossians

Christ, the fullness of God

Author
The apostle Paul, with Timothy (1:1)
Written
About AD 60–62, during his captivity (probably in Rome)
Time covered
Paul’s first captivity in Rome (Acts 28:30-31), at the same time as Philemon and Ephesians
Key word
Preeminence

Paul thanks God for the Colossians’ faith and prays that they will walk worthy of the Lord (1:1-14). He then paints a majestic portrait of Christ: image of the invisible God, creator, sustainer of the universe, head of the church, reconciler by the blood of his cross (1:15-23). Facing false teachers, he affirms that everything is in Christ: the fullness of the Godhead, the true circumcision, victory over the powers; the rules and festivals were only a shadow (2). Risen with Christ, believers seek the things above, put off the old man and live out his lordship at home and at work (3:1-4:1). Prayer, wisdom and greetings conclude the letter (4:2-18).

Main theme

Christ is the supreme head of creation and of the church; in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead. The believer has everything in him and needs no philosophical, ritual or mystical supplement.

Outline

  1. Colossians 1 — The supremacy of Christ

    Thanksgiving, prayer, the great hymn to Christ as creator and reconciler (1:15-20), then Paul’s ministry.

  2. Colossians 2 — Complete in Christ

    A warning against philosophy, legalism, the worship of angels and asceticism: everything is accomplished in Christ.

  3. Colossians 3 — The life of the risen

    Seek the things above, put off the old man, put on the new and live out Christ at home.

  4. Colossians 4 — Prayer, wisdom and greetings

    The end of the household duties, a call to prayer, wisdom toward outsiders and a gallery of Paul’s fellow workers.

Key points

  • Christ is the image of the invisible God, creator and sustainer of all things, head of the church and firstborn from the dead (1:15-18).
  • The mystery revealed to the Gentiles: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (1:27).
  • In Christ dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and the believer is complete in him (2:9-10).
  • At the cross, God nailed to it the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and triumphed over principalities and powers (2:14-15).
  • Food rules, festivals, new moons and sabbaths were only a shadow; the reality is Christ (2:16-17).
  • The asceticism of “Touch not; taste not; handle not” has a show of wisdom but does not conquer the flesh (2:21-23).
  • Risen with Christ, we seek the things above: our life is hid with Christ in God (3:1-3).
  • Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, heartily, as to the Lord, at home as at work (3:17; 3:23).
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Colossians 1:15–18 — The christological heart of the book: Christ, image of God, creator, sustainer of the universe and head of the church.
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 1:27 — The revealed mystery: Christ lives in believers, even Gentiles, as the pledge of future glory.
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Colossians 2:9–10 — The answer to every false doctrine: the fullness of God is in Christ, and we are complete in him.

Jesus in Colossians

Colossians offers one of the loftiest portraits of Jesus in the New Testament: image of the invisible God, creator of all things, in whom the universe holds together, head of the church and firstborn from the dead (1:15-18). In him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (2:9). Through the blood of his cross, he reconciles all things, blots out the handwriting of ordinances and triumphs over the powers (1:20; 2:14-15).

Did you know?

  • Paul asks that the Colossians also read “the epistle from Laodicea” (4:16): a letter that has not been identified with certainty (some think of the letter to the Ephesians).
  • The sentence about Tychicus in 4:8 is, in the Greek, almost word for word the one in Eph 6:22: the same messenger probably carried both letters.
  • Colossians and Philemon name almost the same companions: Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke (4:10-14; Phlm 1:23-24), as well as Archippus and Onesimus.

Quiz on Colossians

Who taught the gospel to the Colossians?

How does Paul define Christ at the start of his great passage in chapter 1?

With whom is Tychicus sent to Colossae?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.