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Title: A Verse by
Verse Study of Colossians. Text: Col. 1:1 – 5
I. Introduction to the book 1. The Colossian Church. a. Paul is the writer of this book therefore we will see many similarities between it and the other books or letters that Paul writes. b. We will notice a great similarity between this letter and the letter to the church at Ephesus. c. This
city Colossae is not a well known city in the bible; in fact if it
were not for the church there we may not even have ever known the
cities name. It was a very small city. 2. It is pretty much a fact that this is not a church Paul started nor is it believed that Paul ever visited them although he was in Ephesus for around three years. a. Colossians 1:4, 9 “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, (9.) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;” b. Colossians 2:1 “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;” c. Although
word had gotten around to Paul about their faith in the Lord and
their love for other saints. 3. How did the church at Colossae start? a. This church (while not directly started by Paul) is a result of his ministry. I believe it is evident that this church received its authority if not directly from the church at Ephesus its at least passes through Ephesus in reverse order. b. The Church at Ephesus was a great witness mostly to the part of Paul who was there as pastor for three years. While there it is believed many churches was started in Asia. Acts 19:10-11 “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (11.) And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:” c. It is believed that Epaphras is the key in the starting of this church. He and Philemon were good friends of Paul’s and that they were with him in Ephesus or in some of his travels. Paul speaks of him in Philemon 1:23 “There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;” By fellowprisoner I believe is meant fellow minister although some say he also served time with Paul during the persecution in Rome as Nero was persecuting the Christians there. d. He is also spoken of in Colossians 1:7 “As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;” e. This is where Paul was hearing of their great faith. Colossians 1:8 “Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.” f. It is also believed that this church was made up of mostly it no all Gentiles. Colossians 1:26-27 “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: (27.) To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
4. The reason for Paul writing this letter to the church of Colossae. a. To set the scene, Paul was in prison in Rome with a run away slave named Onesimus whom was owned by Philemon and was saved under Paul’s ministry. This caused Paul to write his letter to Philemon which we know as the book of Philemon. b. It was at this time Epaphras showed up at Rome to visit Paul about some new teachings being taught in the church, similar to the church at Galatia and he needed Paul’s help to combat these heretics. c. It is believed that Epaphras stayed with Paul in Rome after Paul had written this letter. Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” d. It is believed that Tychicus (Pronounced TIH-kih-kuhs) and Onesimus returned to Colossae with this letter. Colossians 4:7-9 “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: (8.) Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; (9.) With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
5. The false religion is what was known as Gnosticism (pronounced as Nos – ti – cism) a. Gnosticism is a combination of Eastern Philosophy and Jewish Legalism. This was to them as Arminianism is to the churches in America today. While they do not have identical teachings both served the purpose of Satan in different eras to oppose the teachings of the church. b. Both of these are man-made based doctrines and neither are Divine Truth. Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” c. Both also took glory from God and gave it to man. They both do away with the Preeminence of Christ and make man preeminent. d. Both teachings also taught that people change from the outside when Christ teaches God changes from the inside. Romans 10:10 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
6. A little about this book. a. The main theme is about the preeminence of Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 3:11 “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian (pronounced skoo'-thace), bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” b. That we are full and complete in Christ. Colossians 2:9-10 “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10.) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
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