SUMMARY OF COLOSSIANS
CHAPTER 1
· THE PERSON OF CHRIST
o Paul affirms the deity of Jesus by identifying Him as God’s son
o It is through Jesus that we have redemption
o Jesus is God in the flesh – the exact image of the Father
o Jesus is fully God AND fully man – all the fullness of the God-head dwells in Him
o Jesus created the world for Himself
o Jesus existed before the earth was created and is the “glue” that holds the universe together
o Jesus is the head of the church, His body, His bride
o Jesus is the “firstborn” of the resurrection, the first to be permanently resurrected from the dead
· RECONCILIATION
o Redemption purchased by Christ on the cross was for all kinds of people regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic status
o Jesus, as our High Priest, sacrificed HIMSELF even while we were still His enemies
o Leads to good works as a result of being saved
o Spiritual fruit is the evidence of a relationship with Jesus
o We are not worthy on our own – Jesus died to make us worthy of knowing God
o True believers WILL persevere in the faith because will enable them to continue living for Him
· PAUL’S WORK
o God called Paul to be an Apostle
o Considered Timothy his son in the faith
o Wrote letter to the Colossians while under house arrest in Rome
o Considered it a privilege and rejoiced to suffer due to serving the Lord
o Interceded in prayer on behalf of the congregations to whom he wrote
o Mentored congregations via letters
o Proclaimed the “Mystery” of the Gospel “Christ in you, the hope of glory”
o His strength came from the Lord
CHAPTER 2
· WARNING AGAINST HERESY
o False teachers will try to entice them with plausible sounding ideas
o Question any teaching that denies the deity of Jesus
o No “higher knowledge” is needed other than the person of Jesus and the Bible
o Beware of any teaching that works or traditions are a requirement for reconciliation to God
o Believers need to stay firmly rooted in the truth of the gospel and continue to grow in their understanding of God’s word
o False teachers are detached from the Head – Jesus
o The false teachers were promoting asceticism
· SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST
o All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ
o Jesus is fully God and fully man
o Jesus is received by faith and each day is lived by faith
o Jesus makes us complete – nothing else is needed
o Our sin was nailed to Jesus’ cross and no longer has power over us
o We do not need to abuse ourselves through asceticism since Jesus completely suffered our punishment on the cross
· MISTAKE OF REVERTING TO BONDAGE
o The accusations against us were paid for on the cross and can no longer enslave us
o Jesus triumphed over sin, Satan, death, and demons – we are no longer chained by them
o Do not revert to legalism – observing moons, Jewish festivals, dietary restrictions, circumcision, etc.
o Do not worship angels
CHAPTER 3
· FORGIVENESS
o We are completely forgiven due to Jesus’ sacrifice in our place on the cross
o We are “hidden in Him” – sheltered from the wrath of Holy God
o We should forgive others as Christ forgave us—completely and unconditionally
· PUTTING OFF AND PUTTING ON
o Mortify: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry
o Put off: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth, lying
o Put on the new man, the new nature
o Put on: bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering
o Over all, put on love
· RELATIONSHIPS
o Let God’s peace be your decision maker
o Encourage one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as well as the Word of God
o Do all to the glory of God – even in our relationships
o Wives submit to husbands as to the Lord
o Husbands are to love their wives sacrificially as Jesus loves the church
o Children are to obey parents
o Parents should not nag or exasperate their children
o Workers should do their best heartily as if the Lord is their Boss
o The Lord will reward faithful work and punish wrongdoing
o 4:1 – Masters, bosses are to be fair with their employees
CHAPTER 4
· RELIGIOUS DUTIES
o Believers are to pray for one another alertly, consistently, persistently, and with gratitude to God
o Paul sent his prayer requests to the church at Colossae
o We should walk in wisdom among non-believers as faithful witnesses for Jesus
o We should speak graciously and be prepared to defend the Gospel respectfully
· COMMENDATIONS
o Tychicus was called a faithful minister and fellow-servant of Paul
o Onesimus, a former runaway slave, is now Paul’s faithful and beloved brother
o Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus were fellow-workers alongside Paul in Rome and were great comforters to him
o Epaphras was commended for his faithful, zealous labor of intercessory prayer
o Paul called Luke the “beloved physician”
· GREETINGS
o Paul sent greetings from Luke and Demas
o Paul sent greetings to the Laodicean church as well as the congregation at Colossae and a person named Nymphas who had a church meeting in his or her church
o Paul sent a word of encouragement to Archippus to continue in his God-given calling
o The letter ended with Paul signing it in his own handwriting and requesting prayer once again