The Book of Colossians

1
The Book of Colossians

• Intro ch11-12

2
A Bit of Background

• Paul writing from prison in Rome AD62
• Colossae situated in Lycus Valley, 100 miles from
  Ephesus, modern day Turkey
• City of Colossae in economic and social decline
  after a series of earthquakes
• Losing commercial influence to neighbouring
  Laodicea and Hieropolis
• Sister church at Laodicea

3
A Bit of Background

• Lightfoot quote
• Without doubt, Colossae was the least important
  church to which any epistle of St Paul is
  addressed

4
A Bit of Background

• Church plant about 10 years old, not planted by
  Paul personally (Col 21), but as a result of his
  evangelism in Ephesus
• Church was under Pauls apostolic ministry
• Led by Epaphras, a fellow prisoner of Paul at the
  time of the letter (Col 17 410-12)
• Church was a mixture of Gentile and Jewish
  converts (213 216)

5
A Bit of Background

• Although he had probably never visited Colossae,
  Paul has a great love, care and concern for the
  believers there
• The Colossian Heresy (Col 24, 8)

6
12 Themes in Colossians

• 1. WISDOM / KNOWLEDGE / UNDERSTANDING / MIND
• Col 19, 121, 128, 22, 23, 28, 218, 223,
  32, 316, 45
• 2. ALL / EVERYTHING / COMPLETE / FULLNESS
• Col 16, 19, 110, 111, 114, 115, 116,
  117, 118, 119, 120, 123, 124, 125, 128,
  21, 22, 23 29, 210, 213, 222, 223, 38,
  314, 316, 317, 322, 412, 417
• 3. HEAVEN EARTH / VISIBLE INVISIBLE /
  CREATION / WORLD
• Col 15, 113, 115, 116, 120, 123, 210,
  215, 218, 220, 32, 41

7
12 Themes in Colossians

• 4. HEAD BODY
• Col 118, 122, 124, 25, 29, 210, 211,
  217, 219, 223, 35, 315
• 5. FLESH
• Col 120, 122, 124, 21, 211, 218, 223,
  312, 314, 322
• 6. DEATH / LIFE / RESURRECTION
• Col 118, 122, 212, 213, 220, 31, 33, 34,
  35
• 7. MAN / OLD MAN / NEW MAN
• Col 128, 28, 222, 39, 310, 323
• 8. PUT ON / TAKE OFF (CLOTHING)
• Col 15, 111, 123, 127, 34

8
12 Themes in Colossians

• 9. GLORY / HOPE
• Col 15, 111, 123, 127, 34
• 10. RICHES / WEALTH / TREASURE
• Col 127, 22, 23, 316
• 11. MYSTERY / HIDDEN
• Col 112, 113, 126, 127, 22, 23, 33, 34
• 12. IMAGE
• Col 115, 310

9
Col 11-8 The Fundamentals of Faith

• What is God like?
• What should the church look like?
• How did we get here?
• What should we do now?

10
Col 11-8 The Fundamentals of Faith

• What is God like?
• Trinitarian Father, Son, Spirit
• What should the church look like?
• Characterized by Faith, Hope Love v4-5
• How did we get here?
• Heard the Truth of the Gospel of Grace v5-6
• What should we do now?
• Send out more workers with the gospel message!
  v7-8

11
Col 19-12 Pauls Prayer

• Be filled!
• Walk!

12
Col 110 our beautiful inheritance!

• Feeling worthy
• Pleasing God
• Bearing fruit
• Doing good works
• Growing in knowledge
• Being strong in His power
• Learning steadfastness and patience
• Being joyful and thankful