Collossians

Preface: This is a brief outline and summery of the book of  Colossians. Along with some editorial comments This is just a first pass that deals with the broad strokes of the book.      

Main Idea: We have been buried and risen with Christ therefore should replace our earthly actions with heavenly purists since we are alive in Christ and not dead in our sin.  

Outline:

I. Paul and Timothy’s Greeting to the church at Colossae. (Col. 1.1-1.2) This is a normal greeting for Paul’s letters.  He states that he is an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. He also acknowledges that Timothy is a co-author with him.

II.Paul and Timothy’s prayers for the church in Colossae. (Col. 1.3-1.14)

In this section it seems like Paul has not visited the believers but has heard that the gospel has made an impact in Colossae (1.4).  This is due to the fact that he is in prison (4.3). Here Paul and Timothy state the things they are praying for: Knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (1.9), Strengthened with all power according to his glorious might (1.11).  Paul splits these two specific prayers up and gives the desire to see the Colossians to increase in the knowledge of God, bear fruit, and walk worthy of Christ as his reason for praying this way.  after the second prayer for strengthen with all power the reason is for endurance and patience with joy. So the effect of Paul’s prayers would be to see the Colossians striving to know and reflect God better while being a joyfully patient.  

III. Paul explains who Christ is and how his death has changed our status. (Col. 1.15-1.23)

A. Who Christ is (1.15-20)

Paul then launches into an explanation of whom Jesus, the son of God is. Paul gives a list of attributes about Christ. He talks of him as creator (1.16), as head (1.18), as the firstborn (1.15, 1.18) and as the beginning (1.18). He states all of these things to show that Jesus is preeminent in everything. This is so that you cannot look toward anything else and says that something came before Christ. It sets up his authority as the head of the church. Paul then very simply says that God saw fit to dwell in Christ and through him reconcile himself, God the father, to all things. (1.19-20).  This leads into how we are different because of the cross and the work that the cross did.    

B.Who we are because of Christ’s death (1.21-1.23)

Here Paul lays out the fact that we as humans were separate from God yet through his death we are reconciled and blameless before him. Paul then qualifies the fact that we are presented blameless only if we continue in faith steadfast and unwavering in the hope of the gospel.

IV. Paul’s ministry in the Church (Col. 1.24-2.5)

A.Paul’s ministry (1.24-1.29)

Paul goes through his ministry to the church and why he is suffering. He talks about the mystery of the gospel being made know the gentiles. He also talks of his suffering for the church. 

B.Paul’s reason for describing his ministry (2.1-2.5)

Paul gives his reason for telling the Colossians about his struggle is so that those that have not seen him will be knit together. So that they see Christ and also so that those with arguments would not dissuade them.

V. Stand firm in your faith (Col. 2.6-2.15)

A.Don’t be taken in by smooth talk. (2.6-2.8)

Stay rooted in the faith because you have heard of suffering and therefore make sure empty words and human tradition don’t take you in.

B.Why you should not be taken in. (2.9-2.15)

Because of the fact that we have been circumcised by Christ and have died and been resurrected with him in baptism we are part of Christ. God forgave us our sins and the debt that we owed the law. All this God nailed to the cross and left it there.  

VI. Because we have been raised we no longer have to follow the law for the laws sake. Instead set your eyes on Christ and seek after heavenly pursuits. (Col. 2.16-3.17)

A.Don’t let people tell you what to follow. (2.16-2.19)

Paul says that because our debts are cleared we should not allow anyone to tell us what to do and what not to do. We need to be vigilant when it comes to people preaching something other than the gospel. We need to hold fast to the Head, Christ, through which we are nourished and knit together. 

B. Watch out for stuff that seems wise but is not. (2.20-2.23)

Paul asks the question why if we have died with Christ are we still submitting ourselves to rule and regulations. He says that while they may seem wise and good they are of no value at all when it comes to containing the flesh.    

C. If you have been raised seek the things of substance instead of fleshly desires. (3.1-3.17)  

Because we have been raised by Christ we do not follow law so what we seek are things of a heavenly nature. We seek after desires that are above and are not the pursuits of the world. We seek to obtain the same characteristics of Christ as opposed to the things of this world (3.1-3.2).  Because we have died with Christ we are in Christ. We dwell in him and desire the same nature as Christ. We want to be like him. Therefore when Christ appears we will appear with him.

1. Don’t follow the old patterns. (3.5-3.11)

Paul says to put to death, kill, and leave no trace of those things that are earthly. He then goes on to list several traits or patterns of earthly things. He then says that because of these things the wrath of God is coming. So because of worldly desires and passions God is going to punish the earth. Then Paul states that while we once walked in these things now that we believe in Christ we have a new life and need to walk in our new life. That it does not matter weather we are Jew, gentile, barbarian, Scythian, or slave but that Christ is all in all. In other words it doesn’t matter who you are we should walk in a way worthy of Christ.   

2. Cultivate new patterns. (3.12-17)

After listing all the things that are earthly and that we need to watch out for Paul talks about the things we should strive for. He talks of peace and humility being the rule of the day. He holds up compassion, forgiveness, meekness, patience, and kindness as things to be sought after. He gives us guidelines for living in community and tells us to do everything in the name of the Lord.

VII.Instruction about family and slave/master interactions. (Col. 3.18-4.1)

After laying out what we should strive for Paul descries what a Christian household would look like including what slave/master relationships should be.

A. Husband, wife and child roles. (3.18-3.21)

Basically what Paul seems to be getting at is that as a family we should love on another. Out of love we should serve on another and that shows our love for one another.

B. Instructions to slaves and those over slaves. (3.22-4.1)

Paul talks to two groups of people this section. He spends the most time talking to the slaves. He spends a great amount of time telling them that it is not just lip service but sincere hard work that they should do for their masters. Paul says that the slaves reward is in heaven and that those that those who do wrong will be paid back in kind. He then takes one sentence and tells those that own slaves to remember that they have a master in heaven and threat your slaves in that light.

VIII. A final exhortation to the Colossians. (Col. 4.2-4.6)

Here Paul takes the time to once again impress upon the Colossians the fact to continue in prayer and to walk in wisdom. He also takes the time to ask the Colossians to pray that the gospel would go forth while he is in prison. Paul then gives a final word to be gracious in speech and to be ready to give answers to ever person. 

IX.Introductions and greetings from fellow workers with Paul including final instructions for the use of the letter. (Col. 4.7-4.18)

Here Paul gives an introduction for the letter carrier and the reason for the letter carrier’s coming. He then goes on to bring greetings from his fellow workers, first from those that are Jewish then from those who are gentiles.

A. Introduction of the fellow Jewish workers. (4.7-4.11)

Paul gives the greetings of the Jewish workers first and then commends them saying they have been a great comfort to him.

B. Introduction of the fellow Gentile workers (4.12-4.15)

 Paul then goes on to give the greetings from the gentile workers.

C.Final instructions for the final letter. (4.16-4.18)

Paul tells them to read the letter among themselves and when finished to send it over to those from Laodicea. He also gives a message for one of the workers in Laodicea. The he signs the letter.

Summery of Colossians:

Paul an apostle of Christ by the will of God and timothy greet you brothers at Colossae. May grace and peace from God your father be with you.

            We are continually thanking God for you and praying that God will increase in your lives. we have not stoped praying for you so that you may be full of God’s grace and that you can walk in a way worthy of God. That you might be joyfully patient and give thanks to God the father who has adopted you. God has brought you out of the darkness and into the light with his Son through whom we have been redeemed.

              He, Jesus, is the firstborn, creator, head of the body, the church, the beginning, and the firstborn of the dead. so that he can be preeminent in all that he does.  For in him all the fullness of God dwells. We can now be reconciled to God because of the cross.

            I am happy for my suffering as it allows me to make know the mystery of God to the gentiles. God had kept this mystery a secret for generations but now reveal it to the gentiles.  I have gone through great struggles to see the believers knit together in love.

            Be rooted in your faith so that you will not be taken in by well constructed arguments. You have been resurrected through Christ and are alive in him. Our debts have been canceled because of the cross.

            Don’t let others judge you and force the law upon you. keep strong in your faith so that you don’t fall prey to things that sound wise when in reality they do nothing to stop the indulgent of the flesh.

            Focus your self on Christ and the new creation that you are in him. Set your minds on heavenly goals. Do not see after the things of the earth  for that was your old way. Now seek after things above like compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, and forgive on another. What ever we do make sure that we do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

            Wives submit to your husbands, husbands love your wives and don’t provoke your kids. Kids obey your parents because this makes God happy.

            Slaves work hard as for the lord for your reward is in heaven. Masters treat your slaves well as you to also have a master who lives in heaven.

            Continue to pray with thanksgiving, pray for me that I might get out of prison so that I may continue to preach the word. Make sure you walk in wisdom toward outsiders making sure your speech is seasoned with salt.

            Greet Tychicus he will tell you all about what I am doing. He is a faithful friend to me and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you so that he may encourage you and let you know what I am doing. Also Aristarchus, Mark the cousin of Barnabas, and Jesus called Justus greet you. Epaphras, a fellow Colossian, Luke the loved physician, and Demas all greet you as well. Give my greeting to all those at Laodicea and to Nympha and her house church. After reading my letter send it on to Laodicea and tell Archippus that he should fulfill the ministry that the Lord had given you.

            I Paul right this in my own hand remember that I am in prison and may grace abound in you.