It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in paul s letter. Book of colossians colossians chapter 1 colossians chapter 2 colossians chapter 3 colossians chapter 4. Most commentators are certain that paul was indeed the author. Colossians is one of paul s four prison epistles 4. In ad 6061, during his first imprisonment in rome, paul penned this letter to the colossian church after he had received a report that they were struggling with a christological heresy.
Gunther, in his commentary, identifies fortyfour different views of the colossian heresy. Learn about the preeminence, sufficiency, and provision of christ to live a resurrected life. Colossians, chapter 1 pauls prayer and christs preeminence. In the letter to the colossians, paul advises that fathers should. Galatianscolossians, holman new testament commentary by max anders. Also he was one of those who accompanied paul from greece. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal. This might explain why paul wanted the colossians to know that jesus christ was not created and that he was fully god and in jesus deity. When or how the colossians had received already directions concerning mark, we have no means of knowing. Colossians 1 nas bible paul, an apostle of jesus christ. The epistle of paul to the colossians or simply colossians is the twelfth book of the new. The general consensus is that these epistles were written during paul s imprisonment at rome cf.
Colossians free bible study resources by mike mazzalongo. These four letters that paul wrote reveal some of the most powerful truths about the grace of god in the bible. Aristarchus, my fellowprisoner such was epaphras likewise for a time, philemon 1. The epistles of paul to the colossians and to philemon. The main emphasis is on the bible itself and the commentary. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4. Be vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach. An introduction and commentary tyndale new testament commentaries wright, n.
In it, paul stresses the supremacy of the person of christ. Philippians, colossians, philemon commentary is based on the only verse that tells us how to understand the bible, 2 timothy 2. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. The depth of paul s conflict for the colossians and othersfor i want you to know what a great conflict i have for you and those in laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh. Colossians is a powerful book that describes victorious christian living. Colossians series audio the book of colossians is unique in its presentation of christs relationship to the church. Written to christians living in colosse, a small city located on the lycus river in presentday turkey, the letter was delivered by tychicus and onesimus alongside those paul wrote to the ephesians and to philemon.
It was written from rome during pauls first imprisonment, at which time he also wrote ephesians and philemon. Letter of paul to the colossians, twelfth book of the new testament, addressed to christians at colossae, asia minor, whose congregation was founded by saint. An average reader could complete the book in about 10 hours of devoted reading. Paul argues to make the faithful brethren at colosse perfect and complete in christ. This basic commentary provides some basic helps for understanding and appreciating paul s written address to the colossians. In colossians, paul encourages the colossian christians to see. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. Colossians complete bible book chapters and summary. A free bible commentary on pauls letter to the colossians in easyenglish. This commentary is based upon my personal devotional notes and reflections on the letter of paul to the colossians. Geisler the book of colossians was written by the apostle paul about a. Paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, and timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in christ. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote colossians around 6163 a.
He, with his countryman caius, was hurried into the theatre at ephesus, by demetrius and the craftsmen, acts 19. The epistles of paul to the colossians and philemon by n. Paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, and timothy our brother, to gods holy people in colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in christ. The report came from epaphras, likely the leader of the church at colossae and a convert of pauls from his more than twoyear ministry in ephesus. Start by marking the epistles of paul to the colossians and philemon tyndale new testament commentaries as want to read. Colossians complete bible book chapters and summary new. Top 5 commentaries on the books of colossians and philemon. Best commentaries and books on colossians logos bible software. He also was a slaveholder whose slave onesimus had escaped, had later encountered the apostle paul, and had responded to the gospel message about jesus. Paul wrote his epistle to the colossians because of a report that they were falling into serious error see bible dictionary, pauline epistles. In this 8session series, louie giglio will take us through the book of colossians to help us. Colossians is a letter written by the apostle paul approximately a. Bailey emphasizes the vital message of following the way to holiness as seen in the epistle to the colossians, as well as the message of restoration in that a slave becomes a brother in the epistle to philemon.
In the process the reader will encounter our discussions on several major, and at times controversial, doctrines and issues. The book to the colossians was written while paul was in prison in rome. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Best commentaries and books on colossians logos bible. Paul s second imprisonment, about four years later, mark is again in asia minor in the neighbourhood of timothy, and the apostle desires his services at rome 2 timothy 4. The founder of this church was epaphras who, ironically, joined paul in prison and told him of all the false teachings infiltrating the church as colossae acts 28,col4. They are not suggested as a replacement for prayer, the holy spirit, and the readers own diligent study of scripture. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to. Pauls central message in colossians is the affirmation of the sufficiency of christ in the face of false philosophy in colossae and the threat it posed to the truth of.
One purpose was to correct the heresy that had sprung up in the asian city of colosse. So, paul, a jew, is assuring the colossians that they too share in the inheritance promised mentioned in verses 14 through the word of god found in the o. Colossians summary sermons commentaries bible study. The book of colossians addresses problems the church at colossae faced, and it challenges believers to examine all of life and be transformed through the resurrection and love of jesus. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to jesus. Paul s letter also implored the colossians to pursue a life of the kind of humble maturity only possible with a true commitment to christ and his teachings. Paul s central message in colossians is the affirmation of the sufficiency of christ in the face of false philosophy in colossae and the threat it posed to the truth of the gospel.
Wright goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. What did paul want the colossians and laodiceans to know 2. The epistle of paul to the colossians or simply colossians is the twelfth book of the new testament. If we paint jesus as any less than who he is as supreme over all creation and savior of the world, not only does our theology slip, but the working out of our faith also suffers. Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ. Lightfoot wrote his commentary on colossians in 1875, the exact nature of colossian heresy has been fiercely debated. What was his goal or his purpose toward which he preached and labored 2.
The epistle to the colossians is one of the prison epistles which are so called because they were written by paul while he was in prison in rome. Wrights style is characteristic of the theologian clear and concise. What does paul advise that husbands should do in relationship to their wives. Some have argued that paul wrote colossians from ephesus or caesarea, but most of the evidence favors rome as the place where paul penned all the prison letters ephesians, colossians, philippians and philemon. Colossians and philemon is an easy reading verse by verse commentary on those most blessed new testament letters of the apostle paul. The bible knowledge commentarycolossians introduction norman l. Our perception of him shapes uswhat we say, how we treat others, even what we think. Paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, and timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in christ who are at colossae. Among these are the incomprehensibility of god and the origin of sin and evil. Bruce wilkinson colossians is one of the most christcentered books of the bible. The epistles of paul to the colossians and philemon.
Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. Colossians presents the allsupremacy, the allsufficiency, the uniqueness, and the fullness of the person and work of jesus christ as the godman savior, the creator and sustainer of the universe and the total solution for mans needs both for time and eternity. It seems that one of paul s associates, epaphroditus, had come to rome with a gift for paul from the philippian church, and while he was there he informed the apostle of a. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. The apostle paul was the primary writer of the book of colossians colossians 1. Colossians is the chart and compass which enables the believer to sail between the ever present scylla and charybdis. Book of colossians free bible study questions, class book, workbook, assignments, and study material.
This book is designed to guide and help the reader to get the advanced sound doctrine in paul s letters into their inner man spirit and soul. The prison epistles include ephesians, philippians, colossians, and. Paul warned the colossians to not subject themselves to this graceeliminating kind of thinking, and to consider themselves dead to it. Introduction to the epistle of paul to the colossians. So wrote bishop lightfoot some years ago in one of the finest commentaries on new testament literature.
Jan 20, 2014 1 much of what follows is adapted from. The epistles to the colossians and to philemon were written by paul during the early part of his roman imprisonment. Colossians is also very similar in content to ephesians and philemon, with about one fourth of colossians actually contained in the book of ephesians. Epaphras was very close to paul in prison as if he was in prison with him. Galatians, ephesians, philippians, and colossians andrew. Watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the. Follow christ instead of philosophy, asceticism, or legalism colossians 2. Enduring word bible commentary colossians chapter 1. Paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, and timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in christ who are in colosse. Colossians 1 niv paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. The author of this epistle is the apostle paul as stated in colossians 1.
Paul progresses from the individual life to the home and family, from. Written to christians living in colosse, a small city located on the lycus river in presentday turkey, the letter was delivered by tychicus and onesimus alongside those paul wrote to. It is not a technical commentary designed for academic projects. Throughout the letter paul reiterates the importance of understanding christs identity. Colossians is one of paul s four prison epistles col 4. In ad 6061, during his first imprisonment in rome, paul penned this letter to the colossian church after he had received a report that they were struggling with a. In the book of colossians, paul addresses problems the church faces and encourages believers to remain devoted to the exalted jesus. The book of colossians was likely written between a. They provide practical understanding as to how god can love us unconditionally and still be just. Youll walk away from this course on the book of colossians with the ability to apply paul s timeless wisdom to your own life, allowing you to experience what it means to live in the.
On the one hand there is always the danger of christianity freezing into a form, into a ritual. Best colossians commentaries updated for 2021 best. Wilson, colossians and philemon international critical commentary. Introduction to the book of colossians learn religions. Best colossians commentaries updated for 2021 best bible. This list of commentaries is intended to help the reader understand and apply pauls message in the book of colossians. It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle and timothy to the church in colossae, a small phrygian city near laodicea and approximately 100 miles 160 km from ephesus in asia minor scholars have increasingly questioned paul s authorship and attributed the letter to an early. The inheritance of the saints is guaranteed by the indwelling holy spirit eph. This letter was written by paul, an apostle of jesus christ 1.
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