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…. Paul's Letter. To. The Christians In Colossae. Paul's Letter To. The Christians In Colossae. Events Leading Up To This Epistle… One of 4 epistles written from 1st Roman imprisonment Acts 28:30-31 Most likely, Colossae was not a place Paul had ever visited 2:1
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Paul's Letter To... The Christians In Colossae
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae Events Leading Up To This Epistle… • One of 4 epistles written from 1st Roman imprisonment Acts 28:30-31 • Most likely, Colossae was not a place Paul had ever visited 2:1 • The church seems to have been started by Epaphras 1:3-7 4:12-13
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae Events Leading Up To This Epistle… • 3 references as a “prisoner” 4:3, 10, 18 • The letter was carried from Rome to Colossae by Tychicus 4:7-9 • He was an Asian Acts 20:4 • Perhaps he was even a Colossian…most likely not, given the wording in Col 4:9
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae Events Leading Up To This Epistle… • 3 references as a “prisoner” 4:3, 10, 18 • The letter was carried from Rome to Colossae by Tychicus 4:7-9 • Onesimus traveled with him…he was Philemon’s “runaway” slave Phlm 8-18 • Paul also sent a personal letter to Philemon
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae Events Leading Up To This Epistle… • Another interesting fact re: how the letter went to Colossae… • Epaphras had come to Rome & informed Paul about the Colossians 1:7-8 • Most likely, he would have been the one to carry the letter back to them
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae Events Leading Up To This Epistle… • Another interesting fact re: how the letter went to Colossae… • However, Epaphras had become Paul’s “fellow prisoner” Phlm 23 • This prevented him from serving as “courier” for Paul to the Colossians
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae Events Leading Up To This Epistle… • A “companion letter” to Ephesians Eph 6:21-22 • Often called “The Twin Epistles” • Very similar statements & themes
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae Events Leading Up To This Epistle… • Other people mentioned in the letter – • Timothy has joined Paul in Rome 1:1 • Mark = Barnabas “cousin” 4:10 cp. Acts 13:5, 13 15:37-39 • Luke identified as a “physician” 4:14 • Demas = “faithful”…yet, would fall away 4:14 cp. Phlm 24 2 Tim 4:10
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae Events Leading Up To This Epistle… • An “unknown epistle” is mentioned 4:16 • Paul wanted this letter read to the church at Laodicea • Another letter was coming from Laodicea… Paul wanted that letter read in Colossae • What letter was it?? No one knows for sure
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae Events Leading Up To This Epistle… • The theme Ù“You are complete in Christ” • Thematicstatement2:10
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae The Epistle… • Opening Greetings & Admonitions 1:1-12 • Faithful saints for whom Paul had been praying vv. 2-3, 9-12 • Epaphras had taught them re: “their hope laid up in heaven” 1:4
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae The Epistle… • Christ & His “complete” saints 1:13 – 2:23 • God “…delivered us from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of His Son”1:13 • A description of Jesus Christ • He is our Redeemer & Forgiver 1:14 • He is the Image of the invisible God 1:15
Paul's Letter To The Christians In Colossae The Epistle… • Christ & His “complete” saints 1:13 – 2:23 • A description of Jesus Christ • He is the “Firstborn” [preeminent]1:15 • He is Creator & Sustainer 1:16-17 • He is Head of the church 1:18 • He is the “Firstborn from the dead” 1:18 • He is Peacemaker & Reconciler 1:20, 22