Reading Through The Bible - COLOSSIANS

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.

COLOSSIANS  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

12th book of the NT 

51st book of the Bible

It starts with Paul wanting to direct the Colossians to learn more about God and to be fruitful in His ministry.

Something for us always to be considering about ourselves.

What is it?

The Book of Colossians is one of the Epistles in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.

How Long is it?

It has 4 chapters.

When was it Written?

It is generally thought to have been written between 60 & 62 AD

Who Wrote it?

Apostle Paul - it is the 7th of his letters

Chapter 1 v 1  tells us

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother"

 

So Paul wrote the letter but was including Timothy who they knew (or knew of) which would mean that Timothy would be in agreement with the contents or knowledgeable of them.

Who was it Written to?

It was written to the the people who made up the church at Colossae as we see in chapter 1 verse 2:

"To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Why was it Written? 

It was written to give advice about grounding themselves in Christ and to warn the people about false teachers and against the doctrine of Gnosticism.   

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Paul writes the church at Colossae a letter about who they are in Christ, and how to walk in Christ."

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"The Colossian church was trying to mix Greek Philosophy with Christian Theology.  The result was called Gnostic philosophy.  Among other things it taught that the physical world was evil and Jesus was a spirit and not a man."

One verse which helps to sum up advice on how the Colossians can walk worthy lives is found in

 chapter 3 v 2

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"In chapters 3 & 4 he teaches the people about love.  He feels that if they put on the love of Christ they will stop getting distracted by false doctrines."

As Paul saw it, love was the best virtue they could have as we see here in chapter 3 v 14

What specific encouragement is there here that is not covered in most of the letters?

Paul spoke about the role of husbands and wives in  ch. 3 v 18-19

How does it end?

With more advice which is very apt for us today as well

 

Outline of Colossians? 

1. Who we are in Christ (Col 1–2)
   • Christ: our head (Col 1)
   • Christ: our God (Col 2)
2. How to walk in Christ (Col 3–4)
   • Christ: our life (Col 3)
   • Christ: our Master (Col 4)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE