Colossians is the seventh of Paul's Epistles. It was written around 61 AD, whilst Paul was imprisoned in Rome, to the Church in Colosse which is in modern day Turkey. Paul had never visited this church, but he knew its founder; a man named Epaphras. Paul had converted Epaphras when he spent three years in Ephesus. Epaphras went to Rome to see Paul and to raise his concerns about false ideas which are being taught in Colosse. On hearing the news Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians, warning them that what they were teaching was lessening the value of Christ. His letter gave them proper understanding of who Jesus was and what He did.
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Colossians 1:15
"who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." Christ was the firstborn of all creation; He existed before God made anything at all |
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All things exist because of Christ
Colossians 1:16-17 "for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist" |
Jesus is the leader of those who arise from the dead. Those who follow Him will all do likewise.
Colossians 1:18-19 "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. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell" |
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All sinners are saved if they believe in Jesus, and Paul is delighted to be spreading the good news.
Colossians 1:21-23 "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister" |
God has kept this secret for generations, but now He has shared it, even with the 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: 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" |
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Paul's task is to make everyone perfect in the eyes of God.
Colossians 1:28-29 "whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily" |
Sins are of the Earth and Paul wants us to keep our thoughts, not here, but in Heaven.
Colossians 3:5-8 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth" |
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To be forgiving of others is essential, as God has forgiven us.
Colossians 3:12-13 "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye" |
There are many other ways to worship, but Paul specifically mentions singing, which he says we should do with grace to the Lord in our hearts.
Colossians 3:15-17 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" |
Colossians 1:12-14
"giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins"