Colossians was likely penned, as were ephesians, philippians, and. He wrote the letter to the colossian congregation from rome around 6061ce. 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. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote colossians around 6163 a. Paul wrote his epistle to the colossians because of a report that they were falling into serious error see bible dictionary, pauline. Before paul wrote this letter to the christians in colossae, he had never been to their city colossians 2. Paul is clearly the author of colossians and there is really no. At the time of the colossians letter, paul had not visited colosse the colossian letter was sent from rome to colosse by tychicus and the converted slave, onesimus. At the same time, no matter who the author is, that he confronted a legalistic doctrine makes it odd that law is never used anyway.
The letter of paul to the colossians, also called the epistle of st. The apostle paul wrote this letter to christians living in the small city of colossae. There is nothing in colossians which cannot be explained by longstanding gnostic tendencies in ancient thought, although it is true that the systematization of gnosticism came later. She covered several verses at a time and worked her way through colossians. Paul, author of colossians and at least 12 other new testament books, church planter, evangelist, missionary, and perhaps the greatest of all the apostles. Paul obviously wrote the book of colossians or the. That colossians is a genuine letter of paul is usually not disputed.
Thats why we should study the books of colossians and philemon. This indepth inductive study carefully observes the text of scripture, interprets the original intent of the book, and challenges the student to claim the eternal principles that can be applied in. Tychicus, sent by paul to colosse during the apostles first roman imprisonment to bring to the church the epistle of colossians. This is a word for our age, and mark meynell has done a fine job of showing that in an engaging and compelling way. At the beginning of this letter and also in chapter 4 you will notice that the author uses plural pronouns, such as we and us, so it will be important to mark these also.
In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. As a guide for women in particular, it is designed to assist you as a christian woman in your discipleship to jesus. Introduction to the epistle of paul to the colossians. The book of colossians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of colossians. The qualitative difference between the christ and the other significant messengers of god. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4. They are included in the body of the text so the reader can see them as he reads the book without having to page over to a separate outline.
The letter to the colossians is rich in christology, to which all the articles of faith are intimately connected. Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of colossians in the bible new international version. Nov 01, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to all other powers and attempts to gain. Several controversial passages occur in this book, where paul tells wives to be submissive to their husbands and slaves to obey their masters. Jul 28, 2015 why study pauls letters to the colossians and philemon. It makes gods word clear, but more than that, it reveals its relevance. A study guide for women, is to offer assistance in the task of applying the bible to daily life.
The letter of paul to the colossians work by saint paul britannica. A true, biblical christology, centered in the cross and the empty tomb, gives life and meaning to all theology. Ephesians colossians philippians philemon the church at colosse was established by epaphras at the time of the colossians letter, paul had not visited colosse the colossian letter was sent from rome to colosse by tychicus and the converted slave, onesimus. The letter of paul to the colossians work by saint paul. Colossians is the fiftyfirst book in the christian bible, and the twelfth in the new testament. Paul is strongly affirmed to be the author of colossians 1. The author provided the bible verses in the book often using an amplified version.
Nov 18, 2012 this is the holy book of colossians, known as the epistle of paul the apostle to the colossians. Jan 02, 2020 timothy is also given some credit colossians 1. While the book of ephesians focuses on the body the. Destination of the letter the epistle to the colossians was written to the church at colosse, probably between 60 and 63 ad. The book of philippians was written by paul and delivered by epaphroditus around this time too cf. In a previous essay on the authorship of ephesians link 1 below we proposed the thesis that that letter was composed by pauls son in faith, timothy, who had been influenced by his fellow ephesian transplant, the apostle john. What is it about this book that can help believers.
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. Date of the book of colossians there is evidence that the books of colossians, philemon, and ephesians were all carried to their destinations by tychicus and onesimus cf. The author strives to curb such tendencies by recalling the preeminence of christ in everything. The author of the letters to the ephesians and colossians actually doesnt actually go into too many biographical details about the apostle paul. Paul is clearly the author of colossians and there is really no reasonable argument against it. Introductory remarks because of the rising tide of human philosophies confronting us today, no new testament book speaks with more relevancy than does the epistle to the colossians.
The key personalities include paul, timothy, tychicus, onesimus, aristarchus, mark, and epaphras. Paul is strongly affirmed to be the author of colossians. Colossians is a bible commentary on colossians that can be used for personal bible study or even as a devotional. The book of colossians is a series of expository preachingnotes that will give the listener an account of what happens in the book of colossians with commentary on each scripture within the text. There is an informative appendix section that gives resources to expand your knowledge about colossians. Pauls letter to the colossians takes us to the heights of revealed truth. Epistle to the colossians simple english wikipedia, the. If you dont do it now, you will not be prepared for satans subtle allurements, devices, distractions, deceptions, and discouragements which will slip in to keep you from completing this study. Colossians a historical background study doing a historical background study is helpful in understanding the specific situation and setting of the author and the reader of biblical literature. Teren sechrist, president, livingston classical academy, whitmore lake, michigan. As in the past, this is a day where, duped by the ageold lie of satan, man still continues to believe in. Some of the most exalted language concerning him is found in this short jewel of a letter we know today as the book of colossians. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of colossians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament.
Colossians and philemon for you does a great job of bridging the gap between firstcentury colossae and our world today. Who wrote the book of colossians in the bible answers. Nov 17, 2015 the author the book of colossians was sent to the church at colossae which is near laodicea and was likely written about around a. We will focus on the main themes that arise throughout the book such as the. This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and. Author, date and place of writing that colossians is a genuine letter of paul 1.
For biographical information on paul, see introduction to romans. Now read the entire book of colossians again, marking on your observation worksheets the key word christ, including synonyms names and pronouns. Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. As you begin this course on the book of colossians, stop and count the cost. Chi alpha discipleship tool colossians core group study guide a study on the book of colossians. Sermons in this series call his name jesus matthew 1. Some modern scholars think it was written by a follower of paul based on how it describes. The epistle of paul the apostle to the colossians from the holy bible new international version niv book 51 please note we have increased the volume and the pitch of the audio for a. Foreword books of the bible table of the books of the bible abbreviations used in footnotes bible words index glossary of bible terms. Not only do we live in an atomic and space age, but in the most technologically advanced age of all time. Its also important to discover the authors intended meaning of the text in order to interpret it.
Colossians presents instructions for living and this study helps the student discover this book s relevance for believers in the 21st century. In colossians, paul encourages the colossian christians to see jesus. The book is wellorganized and easy to follow for the bible study. Joyce meyer is one of the worlds leading practical bible teachers. He is the image of the invisible god, the firstborn over all creation. This letter was written by paul, an apostle of jesus christ 1. He writes this while in prison and is one of four prison epistles in the new testament. While the book of ephesians focuses on the body the church, colossians focuses on the head christ.
In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book. Question 20 how can you get the most out of your bible reading. Overview of the book of colossians reformed answers to. Her daily broadcast, enjoying everyday life, airs on hundreds of television networks and radio stations worldwide. Colossians is one of four prison epistles written by the apostle paul during his first roman imprisonment. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. These are all of the chapters of the book of colossians. Beetham phd, wheaton college is assistant professor of biblical studies at the evangelical theological college and assistant professor of new testament at the ethiopian graduate school of theology, both in addis ababa, ethiopia. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The apostle paul and timothy directly named in colossians 1. There are also so many pauline words and phrases in colossians that it has been posited that it is a letter composed partly of interpolated pauline fragments martin, 38 put together by the author of ephesians.
Through the study of the book of colossians, kathleens questions help focus the eyes of our hearts on the one in whom she finds such great delightthe pinnacle of all studythe person and work of the lord jesus christ. Publishers description let the wisdom of colossians transform relationships in every area of your life home, church, and even the world with this study guide from renowned bible teacher joyce meyer. The recording is dramatized, from the king james bible. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to jesus. This was about the same time he wrote ephesians and philemon. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. One might even argue that colossians possesses the most profound christology in all the new testament. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. The epistles to the ephesians and colossians name paul as the author right there in the first line.
It was written to counter and respond to heretical teachings and encourage believers to serve with fervor and passion. Question 19 what is contained in the various books of the bible. This book has been long thought to have been written by the apostle paul to the christians in colossae, a small phrygian city in modern day turkey. The book of colossians my purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of god, namely, christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. If paul was the author, he probably used an amanuensis, or secretary, in writing the letter col 4. The holy bible book 51 colossians kjv dramatized audio. This helps explain the personal greetings he included at the end of the letter, a practice he usually reserved for letters to churches he had not visited for example, romans. Colossians is one of four epistles paul wrote from prison, the others being ephesians, philippians, and philemon. Epistle to the colossians read the bible online bible study tools. Im excited about colossians peter wade, bible teacher.
Paul the apostle to the colossians, new testament writing addressed to christians at colossae, asia minor, whose congregation was founded by pauls colleague epaphras. Also known as the epistle to the colossians, the book of colossians was written by the apostle paul from 58 to 62 a. Colossians the book of colossians is the 12th book of the new testament, which contains the epistle of paul to the colossians, a letter written by the apostle paul to the church of colossae around 50 ce. Most commentators are certain that paul was indeed the author. Read colossians and mark with a specific color or colored symbol each mention of the author s name and the pronouns that refer specifically to him, such as i, me, my. And that is the reason for the colossians gratitude. Colossians is also very similar in content to ephesians and philemon, with about one fourth of colossians actually contained in the book of ephesians. The power of the bleeding love of god is stronger than the power of caesar, of the law, of mars, mammon, aphrodite and the rest. The apostle paul was the primary writer of the book of colossians colossians 1. Book of colossians explained discover the 66 books of.
Pauline epistle, also one of pauls prison epistles, 12th book of the new testament. 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 book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to. The letter of paul to the colossians, new testament writing addressed to christians at colossae, asia. The book of colossians was likely written between a. Colossians was undisputedly pauline until the nineteenth century. Mar, 2019 the book of colossians, despite being written nearly 2,000 years ago, is stunningly relevant today, with its warnings against following false philosophies, worshiping angels, and becoming mired in legalism. Paul obviously wrote the book of colossians or the letter as he opens it by writing paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, and timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers in christ at colossae col 1. The lucado life lessons series continues to be one of the b.
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