INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSSIANS
I.
AUTHOR.A. PAUL’S AUTHORSHIP UNDISPUTED ( ch. 1:1; 4:18 ).
B. WITH TIMOTHY (1:1). Was it dictated to Timothy, or did he deliver it? Not known.
II.
ITS ORIGIN.A. IT WAS WRITTEN FROM PRISON ( 4:3, 10, 18 ).
B. WHETHER HE WAS IN CAESAREA OR ROME IS NOT KNOWN.
1. His association with Onesimus seems to indicate Rome.
2. The naming of others and the lack of urgency in the greetings would indicate the conditions of Rome, also, and not of Caesarea ( Acts 28:30-31 ).
C. THE DATE DEPENDS ON WHERE HE WROTE FROM. CAESAREA, AROUND 58 OR 59 A.D. ROME, AROUND 63 OR 64.
III.
THE RECIPIENTS.The epistle was written, on the face of it, to the church at COLOSSAE, a town in the Lycus valley where the gospel had been preached most probably by Epaphras (Col. 1:7; 4:12), and where Paul was, himself, unknown personally (1:4,8-9; 2:1,5). From the epistle it is evident that the Colossian Christians were Gentiles (1:27) for whom, as such, the apostle feels a responsibility (2:1 ff). He sends to them Tychicus (4:7), who is accompanied by Onesimus, one of their own community (4:9), and urges them to be sure to read another letter which will reach them from Laodicea (4:16).( International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia )
IV.
THE PURPOSE.The epistle is a strong polemic against a Judaic-Gnostic heresy with its ceremonialism and doctrine of emanations. This unsound teaching sought to reduce Christianity to a legal system and Christ to the position of a lesser god. Paul directed the impact of revealed truth against the Jewish element (circumcision, meats, drinks, fast days, new moons, and Sabbaths; Col 2:11-16), an ascetic element (2:20-23), and a false philosophical and speculative element (2:8), with the worship of intermediary beings (2:18-19). (The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. )
OUTLINE OF COLOSSIANS
SALUTATION
( 1:1-2 ).INTRODUCTION
( 1:3-4 ).I.
THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST IN GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN. (1:3 – 3:4)A. CHRIST’S PREEMINENCE AND GLORY IN ALL THINGS ( 1:14-23 ).
1. Relation to God – Image of God ( vs. 15 ).
2. Relation to the Universe – Creator, before, holds together ( vs. 16-17 ).
3. Relation to the Church – Head ( vs. 18 ).
4. Relation to Godhood and Revelation – fulness (vs. 19 ).
5. Relation to the Sinner – Reconciliation ( vs. 20-23 ).
B. CHRIST, THE MYSTERY OF GOD AND TREASURY OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE ( 1:24 – 2:7 ).
1. Christ, the mystery of God ( 1:24-29 ).
2. Christ, in whom are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden ( 2:1-7 ).
C. CHRIST, THE FULNESS OF GODHOOD AND COMPLETENESS FOR THE CHRISTIAN ( 2:8 – 3:4 ).
1. Philosophy denounced as an enemy of Christ ( 2:8 ).
2. The Christian’s completeness in the complete Christ ( 2:9-15 ).
a. Christ, the fulness of Godhood ( vs. 9 ).
b. In whom the Christian is made full ( vs. 10-15 ).
c. Therefore, there is nothing that philosophy can supply ( vs. 16-23 ).
3. Seek the things that are above, where Christ is ( 3:1-4 ).
II.
THE NEW LIFE IN CHRIST ( 3:5 – 4:6 ).A. THE NEW CHARACTER ( 3:5-17 ).
1. Put to death the old habits and character ( vs. 5-11 ).
2. Put on the new character ( vs. 12-17 ).
B. NEW RELATIONSHIPS ( 3:18 – 4:6 ).
1. Husband and wife ( 3:18-19 ).
2. Children and parents ( 3:20-21 ).
3. Servants and masters ( 3:22 – 4:1 ).
4 Prayer and conversation ( 4:2-6 ).
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
( 4:7-18 ).1. Tychicus and Onesimus ( vs. 7-9 ).
2. Salutations and instructions concerning this letter ( vs. 10-17 ).
3. Paul’s signature ( vs. 18 ).