NEW TESTAMENT
COLOSSIANS
What is the book of Colossians about in the Bible? This letter was written during one of Paul’s many imprisonments for announcing Jesus as King. Unlike his other letters, this is addressed to a group of people that he had never met and a community that he didn’t start.​ The Book of Colossians is a letter in the New Testament of the Bible, traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul. It is addressed to the Christian community in Colossae, a city in the region of Phrygia (modern-day Turkey). Here’s an overview of its key aspects:
Background of the Book of Colossians: ​
Author: The Apostle Paul is traditionally considered the author of Colossians. He likely wrote the letter while imprisoned in Rome around 60-62 C.E., although some scholars suggest it could have been written from Ephesus.
Audience: The letter is addressed to the church in Colossae, which Paul did not personally found but had a close relationship with. It is believed that Epaphras, a colleague of Paul, established the church and reported its issues to Paul.
Who Wrote the Book of Colossians? Christian tradition holds that the Apostle Paul wrote the book of Colossians.
Context:
The events described in Colossians take place in the city of Colossae. Colossians was likely composed while Paul was in custody in Rome between 60 and 64 C.E.
Literary Styles: The book of Colossians is a letter written in prose discourse to the churches in Colossae.
Key Themes:
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Jesus as King over all creation
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Liberation through Jesus
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Freedom in the Messiah
Structure:
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Colossians can be divided into four parts. Chapters 1:1-23 begin with Jesus as head of the new humanity.
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1:24-2:5 focuses on Paul’s suffering. 2:6-23 addresses cultural pressures in Colossae.
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And chapters 3-4 describe examples of Jesus’ self-giving love.
Reflect:
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What is one way this video expanded your understanding of Paul’s letter to the Colossians?
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How does Paul talk about Jesus in his letter?
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How would you describe the difference between existing in the “old humanity” and living in Jesus’ “new humanity”?
Go Deeper:
Paul encourages the church in Colossae to withstand the cultural pressures of living in a world filled with visible rulers (like corrupt religious leaders) and invisible powers (like deceptive spiritual beings). The church can withstand these pressures because it has been rescued to live in a new world, God’s new creation. King Jesus rules this new creation by bringing God’s invisible world to our tangible world. He rules with forgiveness, honor, and generosity. He welcomes every human, no matter their ethnicity, social standing, age, or gender. And he never uses fear, coercion, or exploitation to establish his authority on Earth. Best of all, Jesus’ new creation does not end in death. Jesus promises that those who trust in him survive the grave through resurrection with him. When we believe this, we no longer need to fight to win or survive—we can truly love others instead. Living this way with Jesus allows his new creation to become a visible and experienced reality on Earth as it is in Heaven, even in the midst of life’s daily pressures and suffering.
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Read: Colossians 1:13-20, Colossians 2:1-10, Colossians 3:1-17​​
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Review Colossians 1:13-23. Take note of repeated words like “all” and “first.” How does Paul describe the King of the new creation? Who is he, what has he done, and what will he do?​
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Compare Colossians 2:1-10. How are the concepts of deception, knowledge, and wisdom described in each passage? Notice the repetition of sight in each passage. How does Eve see? What does Paul say we should see instead?
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Humans often feel like they are missing something in life. What is one example of how deception can exploit that feeling in order to persuade people to rely on things other than God? With this in mind, how do you think Paul’s message in Colossians 2:8-10 helps us escape the serpent’s deceptions and hollow philosophies?
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Our lives are only complete in Jesus, so Paul says we must live in him by putting away old habits of life and putting on new habits of love. What is one example of how living out the message of Colossians 3:1-17 allows us to experience new creation on Earth?
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Learn More:
Paul encourages the Colossian Christians to continue in their faithful devotion to Jesus.
Despite facing pressure from their culture to turn away from Jesus, the Colossian Christians have stayed faithful the way of Jesus. Paul prays that they would grow even more in their wisdom, allowing every part of their lives to be transformed by the Gospel message.
Everything Made New:
Paul tells the Colossian Christians that, as members of the new humanity, no part of their human existence remains untouched by the loving and liberating rule of Jesus. Their suffering, temptation, moral character, and familial dynamics must all be re-examined and transformed in light of the work of Jesus. They are joined to Jesus and are part of his new multi-ethnic family.
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