Colossians
Paul writes to the Christians in Colossae to declare the supremacy of Jesus Christ over the entire created universe. Paul exhorts them to lead godly lives.
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SUMMARY
AUTHOR. Paul’s authorship of Colossians is supported by abundant evidence, both internal to the book as well as external.
RECIPIENTS. The believers in Colosse.
PLACE AND DATE. Paul wrote this letter from Rome, during his first imprisonment. This is recorded in Acts 28:30.
Since the narrative of Acts ends around 60-62 AD, Colossians was probably written during this two-year imprisonment.
PURPOSE. A heresy had taken root. People thought they must to obey the Old Testament laws and ceremonies. They sought out secret knowledge. They worshipped angels. And they saw themselves as elites.
Countering that heresy, Paul defends the deity and supremacy of Jesus Christ. Paul tries to lead them toward spiritual maturity. And he informs them about his state of affairs and asks for their prayers on his behalf.
OUTLINE
GREETINGS
Colossians 1:1-2. Paul greets the believers in Colossae
Colossians 1:3-6. Paul is thankful for them
Colossians 1:7-8. Can LOVE be a gift of the Holy Spirit?
Colossians 1:9-14. Paul prays for their further spiritual growth
THE PRE-EMINENCE OF JESUS CHRIST
Colossians 1:15-23. The pre-eminence of Jesus Christ
FALSE TEACHERS
Colossians 1:24-29. Paul’s ministry to them
Colossians 2:1-5. Paul’s ministry to them, continued
Colossians 2:6-23. Don’t let Christian leaders take away your freedom
LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST
Colossians 3:1-4. Seek more of Jesus Christ
Colossians 3:5-15. Live the New Life
Colossians 3:16. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
Colossians 3:17-25. Mutually submit to one another
Colossians 4:1. Pay a just wage to your employees
Colossians 4:2-4. Persist in prayer
Colossians 4:5-6. Be ready to give an answer about your faith
CONCLUSION
Colossians 4:7-18. Final instructions
MEMORIZE
Colossians 1:12. giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,
Colossians 1:13. who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love,
Colossians 1:14. in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.
Colossians 1:15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Colossians 1:16. For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him.
Colossians 1:17. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
Colossians 1:18. He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Colossians 1:19. For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him,
Colossians 1:20. and through him to reconcile all things to himself by him, whether things on the earth or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.
Colossians 2:9. For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily,
Colossians 2:10. and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power.
Colossians 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
Colossians 4:6. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
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COLOSSIANS
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