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The Epistle to the Colossians. Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran Church Adult Bible Class 2005. The Epistle to the Colossians. Author: Apostle Paul (1:1, 4:18) Time and Place of writing: Wrote around 61-63 A.D. from Rome.
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The Epistle to the Colossians Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran Church Adult Bible Class 2005
The Epistle to the Colossians • Author: Apostle Paul (1:1, 4:18) • Time and Place of writing: Wrote around 61-63 A.D. from Rome. • Colossians is one of Paul’s four ‘prison epistles” (4:18). The others are Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon.
The Epistle to the Colossians • The Purpose of the Writing (1:7-8) • Congregation was in two-fold danger • Relapse into paganism (1:21-23: 2:6, 3:5-11) • The Colossian Heresy was Approaching • Philosophies of men (2:8) • Judaistic ceremonialism (2:11, 16-17) • Angel worship (2:18) • Asceticism (2:20-23)
The Epistle to the Colossians • In the congregation of Colosse were those of a heretical mind who considered themselves better Christians than the true believers. They believed that a complete and lasting salvation could not be achieved simply by faith in Christ as Paul taught. In addition it was necessary to obtain an insight into divine things through a secret knowledge given in a mystical way.
The Epistle to the Colossians • The city of Colosse • 100 miles east of Ephesus in Asia Minor • Part of a tri-city area made up of Colosse, Laodicea, and Hierapolis • Heirapolis – a place for health, pleasure, and relaxation • Colosse – a small pagan city, with a strong intermingling of Jews. • Laodicea – known for its commercial trade and politics
The Epistle to the Colossians • The Church at Colosse • The details of how, who, when the church was established are uncertain • Paul may never have been there (2:1) • Epaphras preached the gospel there (1:5-8) • Epaphras may have been from Colosse “one of you” (4:12)
The Epistle to the Colossians • The Key Verses: Colossians 2:9-10 • “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power”
The Epistle to the Colossians • Outline • Introduction (1:1-14) • The Preeminence (superiority) of Christ (1:15-23) • The Apostle of Christ (1:24-2:7) • Warnings against heresy (2:8-23) • The Christian Endeavor of Faith (3:1-4:6) • Final Instructions, Conclusion (4:7-18)
The Epistle to the Colossians • Introduction (1:1-14) • Salutation (1-2) • From Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ and Timothy • To the saints and faithful in Christ in Colosse • Thanksgiving and Prayer (3-14) • Unceasing prayers in their behalf because of their faith and love, hope of salvation. • Paul prays that they would be: filled with wisdom and the Spirit, walk pleasing to God, and be strengthened
The Epistle to the Colossians • The Preeminence of Christ (1:15-23) • In Creation (15-17) • He is the image of the invisible God • He is the firstborn of every creature and all things were created by Him and for Him. • In Redemption (18-23) • He is the head of the body, the church • He is the firstborn from the dead • All the fullness of God dwells in Him • The Colossians themselves are a case in point. They were once alienated from God but are now reconciled to Him.
The Epistle to the Colossians • The Apostle of Christ (1:24-29) • His Joy (24) • In suffering for their sake • His personal suffering in his own flesh • All is done for the sake of the church • His Ministry (25-29) • He was made a minister for their sake • To make manifest the Word of God to the saints • To warn and teach every man in wisdom that every one could be perfect in Christ Jesus
The Epistle to the Colossians • Paul’s Solicitude (Anxiety) (2:1-7) • His Great Concern for Them (1-3) • In Colosse and Laodicia • That their hearts would be knit together in love • That they would receive understanding and knowledge of the mystery of God • Reasons for this Concern (4-5) • There are those that attempt to deceive them • Exhortation to be Established in Christ (6-7) • They have received Christ, now walk in Him • Be rooted and built up in Him and established in faith abounding with thanksgiving
The Epistle to the Colossians • Warning against Heresy (2:8-23) • Warning against philosophy (8-10) • Which is according to the traditions of men • Warning against Judaistic Ceremonialism (11-17) • In Christ is a circumcision made without hands • Warning against Angel Worship (18-19) • False humility and worshiping of angels • Warning against Asceticism (20-22) • Man made attempt to check the “indulgence of the flesh”. • This is devised by man • Do not be governed by it • Neglect of the body is of no value against the lust of the flesh
The Epistle to the Colossians • The Christian Answer or Solution (3:1-17) • Set Your Mind on Things Above (1-4) • Since you were raised with Christ • Not on the things on this earth • Your life is hid with Christ in God • Put Off the Old Man (5-9) • Fornication, uncleanness, passion, anger, wrath • Put on the New Man (10-17) • Renewed in the image of our Creator • As the elect of God • Let peace be in your heart, be thankful • Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly
The Epistle to the Colossians • Familial Responsibilities (3:18-4:1) • Wives toward Husbands (18) • Submit yourselves • Husbands toward Wives (19) • Love your wives • Children toward their Parents (20) • Obey your parents • Fathers toward their Children (21) • Provoke not your children • Servants toward Masters (22-25) • Obey your master • Masters toward Servants (4:1) • Give to your servants that which is just and equal
The Epistle to the Colossians • Exhortations to Prayer and Proper Conduct (4:2-6) • Devote yourself to Prayer (2-4) • Pray for the ministers of God that the Word would be opened to them • Conduct Yourselves Properly (5-6) • Walk in wisdom toward those who don’t believe. • Speak with grace, seasoned with salt is how you ought to answer every man.
The Epistle to the Colossians • Paul’s Companions (4:7-14) • Commendation of his Messengers (7-9) • Tychicus is a dear brother and fellow servant who was sent by Paul to comfort the Colossians • Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother and one of you • Greetings from his friends (10-14) • From Aristachus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas
The Epistle to the Colossians • Concluding Remarks (4:15-18) • Personal Messages (15-17) • Greet the brethren • Pass this epistle to the Laodicians • Charge Archippus to take heed of his ministry • A personal request • He has written the salutation himself • Remember him in prison • He prays he could be with them.