MR. D'S NOTES ON COLOSSIANS
COPYRIGHT 2002
Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.
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A REVIEW OF THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS
The book was written in 61 A. D. by the apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome. (along
with Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. Col. 4.3, 10, 18 speak of his imprisonment)
The years of 60-62 seem to cover the suggested time of writing.
The book seems to be a refutation of the Gnostic line of thought that Christ was a created being
and that we have to save ourselves through inner thought and reasoning.
Paul begins to show Christ's preeminence by showing his pre-existence. Christ not only created
everything but he is above everything. Kind of like - FIRST, if you catch my drift.
Christ has reconciled all things unto himself and this should be the impetus to living a Godly life.
In light of these things Paul admonishes several types of people to live properly before their God
(individuals, wives, husbands, children, fathers, servants, and masters). All of us fit in
somewhere in that list.
Paul closes by asking for prayer concerning his captivity. This was quite a letter considering he is
captive! One must wonder if his time in prison was bearable only because of his thoughts of
others and his Lord.
Probably the key verse would be: Colossians 1.18 "And he is the head of the body, the church;
who has a beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence."
I. CHRIST FORSHADOWED (in peoples lives) 1:1-14
Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ thus setting his authority to speak to them of the
truth that he wanted to share with them.
He mentions a coworker, Timothy - a man we know from Paul's letters to him - I and II Timothy.
In this section Paul recognizes the people for what he has heard about them via reports from
Epaphrus. He continues by encouraging them by telling them of their good qualities and
reminding them that he is praying for them.
He does not mess around with small talk, he gets right to the heavy teaching:
sainthood
brotherhood
Fatherhood of God
Son-ship of Christ
gospel
fruitful/good walk
good works
God's strengthening
inheritance
redemption
forgiveness
He moves into the next section with slippers on his feet so he won't startle anyone - actually he
begins immediately to blast the Gnostic concept of Christ, which that He was a created being or a
spook that didn't leave footprints in the dust as they called him.
II. CHRIST PRESENTED 1:15-29
Paul presents Christ as preeminent to the believer. He was before creation, he created all there is,
he sustains all there is, and He provided for all there is through His blood.
He is not only the moving force of all creation, but he is also the head of the body - His church.
Paul asserts that all his efforts in life are aimed toward the goal of warning all of the effects of
rejecting this Christ, and to teach those that accept Christ so that they might be presented perfect
before Christ.
III. CHRIST THE FOUNDATION 2:1-7
Paul expresses his concern that false teaching might lead the folks astray, but tells them that they
are grounded in Christ and all that He is. He is wisdom and knowledge, not the Gnostic inner
light that they had been hearing about.
He encourages the folks to walk and continue to be rooted in Christ and His teaching.
IIII. CHRIST NOT THOUGHT 2:8-23
There is further warning of philosophy and false hood to be avoided - it is all counter to Christ
and truth.
He gives three areas of warning.
1. Warning against legalism (16-17)
2. Warning against mysticism (18-19)
3. Warning against asceticism (20-23)
V. CHRIST OUR LIFE 3:1-4
We are His, we are in His kingdom, we are as good as in heaven, so we should live like it. We
are totally Christ's in fact, and we should be in living.
"Christ who is our life" is the key phrase of the book. All centers around Christ and we are in
Him.
VI. CHRIST OUR GUIDE 3:5-4:6
Now that we know who we are in Christ there is practical application to how we should live our
life before the world.
Paul goes to some extent to give clear statement of do's and don'ts of the Christian life. These are
to be followed, not to bring salvation, but because of salvation we ought to live circumspectly.
The instructions are broken into five areas of relationship.
A. Everyday relationships (5-17)
Live as if you are the child of the King that you are.
B. Family relationships (18-21)
The family is in Christ, and should reflect the love of God for His children.
C. Servant relationships (3:22-4:1)
Servants and masters are in Christ, and should reflect that relationship that the child of God has
to the Lord as a bond-slave of his master.
D. Prayer relationships (2-4)
Paul puts the believer’s prayer life, in part, on the plain of intercession for the lost. Paul desires
open doors for the sharing of the Gospel. This is a worthy endeavor of any prayer meeting.
E. Witnessing relationships (5-6)
The purpose of all these relationships is that we might have a witnessing relationship with the
lost around us. A clear statement that the individual Christian is to be a witnessing Christian. It is
not the church’s responsibility to win the lost, it is the individuals.
VII. Conclusion 4:7-18
Paul closes his epistle with personal greetings and encouragement. He further requests that they
deliver the letter to be read to the Laodiceans, and that they should read his letter that he had sent
to Laodicea.
Since he wanted both to read each others, it might be assumed that both contained information
important to both. It is quite possible that the Gnostics were stirring in both assemblies and that
he wanted to be sure to cover all bases with his comments.
Today we would just photocopy or email a copy, but back then it was quill and papyrus and very
slow going, not to mention hard work.
In light of the following list, I believe it is clear that Christ is the center of attention in this short
book of Paul’s.
CHRIST
1.1 He calls to ministry
1.2 He is the peace giver
1.3 He is the Son
1.4 He is the object of our faith
1.7 He is worthy of service
1.10 He is worthy of our good walk
1.13 He will be king
1.14 He is the provider of redemption
He is the forgiver of sin
1.15 He is the image of the living God
He is the first born of all creation
1.16 He is the creator
1.17 He was before creation
He is the sustainer of creation
1.18 He is head of the body
He is the beginning and first born of the dead
1.19 He is the fullness of God within
1.20 He is the reconciler of everything
He is provider of the price - His blood
1.21 He is the reconciler
1.22 He gave his flesh to provide
1.24 He was afflicted
1.27 He indwells
1.29 He will judge
2.3 He is wisdom and knowledge
2.6 He is Lord
2.8 He is truth
2.9 He is fullness of the Godhead is in Him
2.10 He completes believers
He is over all powers
2.11 He is the spiritual circumciser
2.13 He quickens the believer
2.14 He takes care of sin
2.15 He spoiled of principalities and powers
He is victor over all
3.1 He is risen
He is sitting beside God
3.3 He hides the believer
3.4 He is our life
He will appear
3.11 He is all in all
3.13 He is the forgiver
3.24 He is to be served
4.1 He is master