Summary of the Book of Colossians

Author:
The apostle Paul was the primary writer of the Book of Colossians “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,”, (Colossians 1:1). Timothy is also given some credit “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,”, (Colossians 1:1).

Date of Writing:
The Book of Colossians was likely written between A.D. 58-62.

Purpose of Writing:
Paul wrote Colossians to warn the believers of doctrinal error and to spur them to continued growth in Christ. The first half of the Book of Colossians is a theological treatise that includes one of the most profound presentations of Christology anywhere in the New Testament. The second half is a mini-ethics course, addressing every area of Christian life. Paul progresses from the individual life to the home and family, from work to the way we should treat others. The theme of this book is the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His sufficiency in meeting our needs in every area.

Key Verses:

Colossians 1:15-16, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.”

Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

Colossians 3:12-13, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Colossians 4:5-6, “Be wise in the way you act toward oOutsiders; seize every opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to respond to each person.”

Brief Summary:
The book of Colossians was specifically written to combat the heresy that had emerged in Colosse, posing a threat to the church’s existence. While the exact details of Paul’s initial communication are unknown, this letter serves as his response.

From Paul’s reply, it can be inferred that he was addressing a distorted perception of Christ (rejecting His genuine humanity and denying His full divinity). Paul also seems to challenge the emphasis on “Jewish” practices like circumcision and traditions (Colossians 2:8-11;3:11). The heresy in question appears to be a blend of Jewish-Gnosticism or a fusion of Jewish asceticism with Greek (Stoic?) philosophy. He effectively directs our focus to the all-sufficiency of Christ.

The Epistle to the Colossians provides doctrinal teachings on the divinity of Christ and refutes false philosophies (1:15-2:23), along with practical guidance on Christian behavior, relationships, and speech (3:1-4:18).

Connections:
Similar to other early Christian communities, the issue of Jewish legalism in Colosse deeply troubled Paul. The revolutionary idea of salvation through grace alone, apart from works, was so challenging for those entrenched in Old Testament laws. Consequently, legalists persistently sought to impose certain legal requirements onto this newfound faith. Foremost among these demands was circumcision, still observed by some Jewish converts. Paul refuted this notion in Colossians 2:11-15, asserting that physical circumcision was no longer essential with the arrival of Christ. He emphasized a circumcision of the heart, not the flesh, symbolizing a spiritual transformation rather than a mere ritual.Rites of the Old Testament law are no longer necessary (Deuteronomy 10:16,30:6;Jeremiah 4:4,9:26;Acts 7:51;Romans 2:29).

Practical Application:
While Paul addresses various aspects, the fundamental lesson for us today is the complete sufficiency of Christ in our lives, both for salvation and sanctification. It is crucial to comprehend the gospel to avoid being misled by subtle forms of legalism and heresy. We must remain vigilant against any deviation that undermines the central role of Christ as Lord and Savior. Any belief system attempting to assert equality with the truth through texts claiming authority similar to the Bible, or that mixes human endeavor with divine salvation, should be steered clear of. Christianity cannot be amalgamated with other faiths. Christ sets definitive standards for moral behavior. Christianity is a community, a lifestyle, and a bond—not merely a religion. Practices like good deeds, astrology, occultism, and horoscopes do not illuminate God’s path for us. Only Christ does. His intentions are disclosed in His Word, His message of love to us; we must acquaint ourselves with it!