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CHAPTER 51 – Colossians: Approx. 62 A.D.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians is the fifty-first book of the Bible. The title of the book in Greek is Pros Kolossaeis meaning “To the Colossians.” The title in the English Bible is “The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians.”

Authorship

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, is the author of the book, The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians. It was probably written not later than 63 A.D.

Summary and Analysis

The book of Colossians is actually a letter (epistle) that was written by the apostle Paul to the Christian church in the city of Colossae in ancient Asia Minor, in what is modern-day Turkey. It was probably written from Rome in Italy during his first imprisonment there in the approximate period, 61 A.D. to 63 A.D.

Paul begins the book with a greeting to the saints and the faithful at the Colossian church. He thanks God for them, having heard from their minister, Epaphras, of their faith in Christ and their love. Paul then prays for blessings upon the church.

Next, he tells them that Christ is the perfect representation of the invisible God, the Creator of all that exists outside of God, and who preexists all these things. He also states that Christ is the Head of the Christian church, and He has reconciled all things to Himself by His blood that was shed on the cross.

Paul then declares that he himself is a minister of the gospel which has been preached to every person under heaven. For God desired to make known the mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of your fully reflecting God’s glorious character of love.

After this, Paul states his great anxiety concerning the church at Colossae and the church at Laodicea. He desires that they be knit together in love with a full understanding and acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. He warns them against being deceived by enticing words and instructs them that they should be steadfast in their faith in Christ, and live according to Christ’s ways of love.

Next, Paul warns the Colossians Christians to beware of being deceived and spoiled by the tradition of human beings and the philosophy of the world. For the Colossians were once dead in their sins, but Christ has made them alive with Him, having forgiven them of all their sins. And by so doing, Christ has blotted out the handwritten Ceremonial Law given by God through Moses and has nailed them to His cross. Thus, Christ has openly triumphed over the principalities and powers of Satan.

Again, Paul warns them not to lose their heavenly reward by voluntarily worshipping angels instead of holding on steadfastly to Christ, the Head of the Christian church. Why, Paul asks, are they observing the obsolete Ceremonial Law according to the commandments and teachings of some people? For these things have an appearance of wisdom in self-made religion, humility, and extreme ill treatment of their own bodies, which are of no value in preventing their indulgence of their sinful nature.

Paul then urges them to seek those things which are above in heaven and to set their affections on the things above and not on the earth. He also urges them to put to death the evil lusts and deeds of their past and instead cultivate virtues, including love, and be ruled by peace, unity, and thankfulness. Moreover, he entreats them to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly so that they are able to instruct and warn each other, as well as sing praises to Christ.

Next, Paul asks them to obey what he commands regarding the godly relationships that should exist between husbands and wives, children and parents, masters and servants. He then entreats them to continue in prayer and thanksgiving and to pray for him and his fellow workers in the gospel that God would give them opportunities to speak of the mystery of Christ, for which he thing, Paul, has been imprisoned. Further, he urges them to be a godly example to unbelievers.

After this, Paul states that he is sending faithful, Christian brothers, Tychicus and Onesimus, to them to see how they are doing, to comfort their hearts, and to report on Paul’s state of affairs. He then sends them greetings from some of his fellow workers with commendations of these workers. He asks the Colossians to greet the church at Laodicea and others, and requests that his letter to the Colossians be also read in Laodicea and that the Colossians read his letter to Laodicea. Lastly, Paul closes his letter by asking them to remember his imprisonment and wishes them God’s blessings.

Themes

• Christians with firm faith in Christ and abounding in love.
• Teachings about Christ and the gospel.
• Warnings against errors that lead away from Christ.
• Commands to put away sinful deeds and to instead be Christlike.
• Teachings about godly relationships in the family and in society.

God as Revealed in the Book

• Christ equal to the other members of the Godhead.
• The preexistence of Christ before creation.
• The preeminence of Christ over all creation.
• Christ who did away with the Ceremonial Laws.
• Christ who in His death triumphed over Satan and his evil angels.

Connections with the Rest of the Bible

God says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage [of the works of the law]…if ye be circumcised [as a means of salvation], Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the [works of the] law; ye are fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:1-4.

“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing [regarding salvation], nor uncircumcision; but faith [received from Christ] which worketh [good deeds] by [the resulting] love [received from the Holy Spirit].” Galatians 5:5, 6.

Spiritual Applications

Pray to God sincerely and ask God to help you to do His will, believing that God will help you, and thus you will be enabled to make the spiritual applications noted below:

• Have firm faith in Christ and abound more and more in love.
• Beware of errors that lead away from Christ.
• Be godly in all your relationships in your family and in society.
• Know that Christ is equal to the other members of the Godhead.
• Know that Christ has done away with the Ceremonial Laws.
• Pray to God always and be thankful to Him.

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