Colossians Qaindepthonline Lutheran Bible Study
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Online Lutheran Bible Study. Bible Studies Bible Notes Divine Service/Liturgy DELTO/CE Notes Bible Introduction Notes. Bible Introduction Notes Miscellaneous Old Testament Theology This is an in-depth study of the book of Colossians based on the Concordia Commentary. This version includes a study guide with the questions and the answers. Title: Book of Colossians - Free Bible study questions, class book, workbook, assignments, and study material; available free at www.gospelway.com. Here is a Bible study, commentary, and summary of Colossians chapter two. Colossians 2:2-3 “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full.
Colossians
A Bible Study
Outline
I. Introduction (1:1-14)
A. Greetings (1:1-2)
B. Thanksgiving (1:3-8)
C. Prayer (1:9-14)
II. The Supremacy of Christ (1:15-2:23)
A. The Full Glory of Christ, the Son of God (Colossians 1:15-23)
B. The Full Glory of the Gospel (Colossians 1:24-2:5)
C. The Refutation of the Colossian Heresy (Colossians 2:6-23)
III. Life In The All-Sufficient Christ (Colossians 3:1-4:6)
A. Seek The Things That Are Above, Where Christ Is (Colossians 3:1-17)
B. Christ the Lord of the Household (Colossians 3:18-4:1)
C. Vigilance in Prayer, Wisdom Toward the World (Colossians 4:2-6)
IV. Conclusion: Personal Matters (Colossians 4:7-18)
Author, Date and Place of Writing
The fact that Colossians is a genuine letter of Paul is not usually disputed. In theearly church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to St. Paul.
In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in chapter two wassecond-century Gnosticism. But a careful analysis of chapter two shows that the heresythere referred to is noticeably less developed than the Gnosticism of the leading Gnosticteachers of the second and third centuries. We must remember that already in the firstcentury the seeds that gave way to this second century heresy were already at work.
Colossians is to be best dates during Paul's first imprisonment in the city of Rome,where he spent at least two years under house arrest (see Acts 28:16-31). Some have arguedthat Paul wrote Colossians from Ephesus or Caesarea, but most of the evidence favors Romeas the place where Paul penned all the Prison Letters (Ephesians, Colossians, Philippiansand Philemon.)
Colossians should be dated as close to the year 60 A.D., in the same year as Ephesiansand Philemon.
Colosse: The Town and the Church
Several hundred years before Paul's day, Colosse had been a leading city in Asia Minor(present-day Turkey). It was located on the Lycus River and on the great east-west traderoute leading from Ephesus on the Aegean Sea to the Euphrates River. By the first centuryA.D. Colosse was diminished to a second-rate market town, which had been surpassed longago in power and importance by the neighboring towns of Lacdicea and Hierapolis (seeColossians 4:13)
What gave Colosse New Testament importance, however, was the fact that, during Paul'sthree-year ministry in Ephesus, Epaphras had been converted and had carried the gospel toColosse (cf. Colossians 1:7-8; Acts 10:19:10). The young church that resulted then becamethe target of heritical attack, which led to Epaphras's visit to Paul in Rome andultimately to the penning of the Colossian letter.
Perhaps as a result of the efforts of Epaphras or other converts of Paul Christianchurches had also been established in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Some of them were housechurches (see Colossians 4:15; Philemon). Most likely all of them were primarily Gentile.
The Colossian Heresy
Paul never explicitly describes the false teaching he opposes in the Colossian letter.The nature of the heresy must be inferred from statements he made in opposition to thefalse teachers. An analysis of his refutation suggests that the heresy was diverse innature. Some of the elements of its teachings were...
1. Ceremonialism-It held to strict rules about the kinds of permissible food and drink, religious festivals (Colossians 2:16-173 and circumcision (Colossians 2:11; 3:11)
2. Asceticism-'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch! (Cf. Colossians 2:21; 2:23)
3. Angel worship-(Colossians 2:18)
4. Deprecation of Christ-This is implied in Paul's stress on the supremacy of Christ. (Colossians 1:15-20; 2:2-3,9)
5. Secret knowledge-The Gnostics boasted of this (see Colossians 2:18; and Paul's emphasis in 2:2-3 on Christ, 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom')
6. Reliance on human wisdom and tradition-(see Colossians 2:4,8)
These elements seem to fall into two categories, Jewish and gnostic. It is likely,therefore, that the Colossian heresy was a mixture of an extreme form of Judaism and anearly stage of Gnosticism.
Purpose and Theme
Paul's purpose is to refute the Colossian heresy. To accomplish this goal, he exaltsChrist as the very image of God (1:15) the Creator (1:16), the preexistent sustainer ofall things (1:17), the head of the church (1:18), the first to be resurrected (1:18), thefullness of diety in bodily form (1:19; 2:9) and the reconciler (1:20-22). Thus, Christ iscompletely adequate. We 'have been given fullness in Christ' (2:10). On theother hand, the Colossian heresy was altogether inadequate. It was a hollow and deceptivephilosophy (2:8), lacking any ability to restrain the old sinful nature (2:23)
The theme of Colossians is the complete adequacy of Christ as contrasted with theemptiness of mere human philosophy.
I. Introduction: Salutation, Thanksgiving, and Prayer.(Colossians 1:1-14)
Paul gives thanks for the Colossians' faith and love, a loveinspired and sustained by the hope laid up for you in heaven. He assures them thatthe gospel which has produced this in them, which they had heard from Epaphras,is the true, universal, powerful, and productive Gospel, preached in the whole world,proclaiming and conveying the grace of God in truth. (This is the gospel whichneeds no supplementation by 'philosophy' and 'human tradition', cf.Colossians 2:6-8)
Paul prays that they may grow in the knowledge of this Gospel, a knowledge ofGod's gracious will (not of empty speculations) which produces a life rich in everygood work, increasing as it is employed in the service of the Lord, the beloved Sonof God, King of a kingdom whose subjects have redemption, the forgiveness ofsins, now and the hope of an inheritance in the bright future world of God.
Paul prays that God the Father, who has given them their present blessing and theirglorious future, may strengthen them to endure with patience the pressure of thepresent and that the lives of the Colossians, lived in the power bestowed by Him,may be an unbroken song of thanksgiving to Him.
II. The Sufficiency of Christ (Colossians 1:15-2:23)
A. The Full Glory of Christ, the Son of God (Colossians 1:15-23)
The mention of God's beloved Son, who is God's redemption and forgiveness in person (verses 13-14), leads over to a mighty hymn in praise of Christ in His fully glory as Creator and Redeemer. Paul holds before the eyes of the church all that they have in Him whom Epaphras (verse 7) proclaimed to them...
He is God's image, the perfect manifestation of the invisible God; the first-born of all creation, the Mediator of creation the Lord over all created beings, including all angelic powers (thrones, dominions, principalities, authorities).
As He is Lord of creation, He is also head of the church; as He is the first-born of all creation, He is also the first-born from the dead, the Lord in whom all mankind may find life everlasting.
In Him all the fullness of the God who willed man's redemption GRACIOUSLY DWELT: IN OBEDIENCE TO THAT WILL He went into the depths of a criminal's violent death (death of His cross) to restore man and all man's fallen world to God.
He is in everything...pre-eminent; in His kingdom (verse 13) they are secure--no powers of darkness have power to harm them there.
B. The Full Glory of the Gospel (Colossians 1:24-2:5)
The Colossians have this Christ as their Reconciler and Justifier in the Gospel and in it alone (verse23). The Gospel is therefore infinitely precious.
Paul rejoices to suffer in its behalf as he toils with Christ inspired energy to proclaim it. The Gospel is universal in its scope and power, proclaiming the revealed secret of God (mystery, verse 27) far beyond the limits of His ancient people, bestowing the riches of the glory of His grace on the Gentiles: it is present and powerful for every man, to make every man mature in Christ.
The Gospel is complete and sufficient, the sure ground of hope, faith, and love and the source of all understanding and knowledge.
Any pretense of a higher knowledge, beyond the Christ proclaimed in the Gospel, is delusion and deceit, for in Christ all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are to be found.
In the power of this Gospel the church can be (what the Colossians are now) an ordered and disciplined army of the living God of heaven.
C. The Refutation of the Colossian Heresy (Colossians 2:6-23)
Paul has one weapon of offense: Jesus Christ. In the opening verses (verses 6-7) he bids the Colossians base their whole existence on Him. He is to soil in which they have taken root, from which they continue to draw nourishment and strength.
Jesus is also the foundation on which the growing structure of their life rests and rises. In Him they have the firmness of faith which Paul rejoiced to behold (established, verse 7) in Him. Christ is the one whom they know, for whom they continually give thanks to the Father (Colossians 1:12).
III. Life In The All-Sufficient Christ (Colossians 3:1-4:6)
As Christ is the whole Gospel and the whole refutation of all distortions of the Gospel(Colossians 1:15-2:23), so He is the whole basis and power of the new life of those whobelieve in Him. His name, (Christ, Lord, Lord Jesus, Lord Christ) occurs 15 times in this31 verse section!
A. Seek The Things That Are Above, Where Christ Is (Colossians 3:1-17)
The reality of the Christian life is to be seen in Christ; nothing is more real than the fact that Christians have died with Him, have been raised with Him and share the glory of His life in God.
But that glory is as yet a hidden glory; until the Christ who is their life appears, its glory is a reality to be realized and manifested in a life whose bent and intent (seek, verse 1; set your minds, verse 2) is militant no to what is earthly, to the old world to which the Christian has died.
It is also a no to the old world of erotic self-assertion (verse 5) and economic self-assertion (covetousness, verse 5) to the old world of heroic self-assertion (verse8), the old world of devious self-assertion, the life (verse 9), and the old world in which fragment mankind (verse 11) has a system of ethnic, religious, cultural and social divisions.
The Christian has died to all of that (verse 3) in Christ; and this death is realized in his putting to death all of that. His resurrection to glory realized in His enacted yes to God's recreating act (verse 10)
His continual putting on (verse 12) of the garment in which God's elective love (verse 12) has clothed him keeps the Christian in grace.
Colossians Qaindepthonline Lutheran Bible Study Guide
He also speaks his yes to God's love in a life of compassionate, meek, forgiving love (verses 12, 14). This life is one in which the peace of Christ controls all relationships (verse 15)
The Christian also calls on His potent word which is the indwelling power that produces salutary and grateful song (verse 16)
In conclusion Paul reminds us that all of this (everything) is done in the name of the Lord Jesus--what the incarnate Lord is, has done, and signifies for man is the source and power of it all! (verse 17)
B. Christ the Lord of the Household (Colossians 3:18-4:1)
The hidden glory of the new life manifests itself in the ordinary household relationships of wife and husband children and parents, slaves and masters.
The glory is hidden; things remain as they were, the old order of subordination and obedience lives on. And yet all is new, for Christ has become Lord over both the obedient and the obeyed.
According to Colossians 3:22 slaves were considered a part of the household.
C. Vigilance in Prayer, Wisdom Toward the World (Colossians 4:2-6)
The new life is a vigilant life of continual prayer, particularly prayer for the progress of the Word, the proclamation of the mystery of Christ (verses 3-4)
The new life is itself a proclamation of the mystery to the world (outsiders, verse 5) a witness which calls for the gift of wisdom (verse 5) and for speech marked by Christian taste and tact (seasoned with salt, verse 6)
IV. Conclusion: Personal Matters (Colossians 4:7-18)
The last paragraphs deal with the sending of Tychicus, the bearer of the letter, andthe return of the Colossian slave Onesimus; convey greetings, direct an exchange ofletters between Colossae and the neighboring town of Laodicea; and charge Archippus tofulfill his ministry.
Paul concludes with a greeting written with his own hand, (see Galatians) a renewalrequest for their intercessions, and a brief benediction.
These are personal matters, to be sure; but with Paul there is no difference betweenpersonal and official aspects of his life.
+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +
Colossians Qaindepthonline Lutheran Bible Study Bible
Sources
ConcordiaSelf Study Bible – New International Version, Robert G. Hoerber Editor Concordia Publishing House St. Louis, MO. 1986pp.1824-1825
Concordia Self Study Commentary Martin H.Franzmann, Concordia Publishing House, St.Louis, MO. 1979 pp.199-204 View Bible TextThe Letter to the Colossians combines large segments of theological/doctrinal and practical/ethical materials.
At times, however, it is nearly impossible to determine which kind of issue one is dealing with. The passage for this first Sunday after Christmas has the flavor of both theological and ethical concerns. Interpreters in general, however, regard these verses as belonging to the more doctrinal portion of the epistle — though they still admit that there are prominent ethical features to the text. Perhaps a final decision is not necessary, though anyone working with commentaries on this epistle will encounter discussions about the nature of the material in this section.
Colossians Qaindepthonline Lutheran Bible Study Lessons
It is important to locate verses 12-17 of chapter 3 in their immediate literary context. Colossians 3:1-17 is a recognizable section of the letter. First, in verses 1-4 readers are admonished to seek heavenly ways because they have been raised with Christ. Second, verses 5-17 elaborate the meaning of this exhortation. Here, there are a pair of passages, one negatively focused (verses 5-11) and one positively oriented (verses 12-17).
Colossians 3:5-11 contains two lists of five negative items Christians are to shun. Then, in 3:12-17 there are a series of admonitions, including another list of five items, this time positive items that Christians are to embrace. Our text for this Sunday contains the more positively expressed set of verses.
The verses of our lesson begin with the word “therefore” in Greek–though this is often translated “then” and placed somehow as something other than the first word of the sentence. The “therefore,” however, reaches back to the material in 3:1-4 and recognizes that whatever actions the Christians take are taken because of what God has done — that is, Christian life is the consequence of the gospel. The verses of this lesson (verses 12-17) focus on Christian virtue, defining and describing Christian character while speaking to the community of believers.
Colossians Qaindepthonline Lutheran Bible Study Commentary
The previous section of the letter (verses 5-11) with its concern with vices is now left behind. Now, the letter presents the positive dimensions of life in Christ as actions. Christians are to “put on” certain characteristics so that they live these qualities, they do not merely “have” them. Not merely traits, but actions define Christian living. As Christ lived, so the Christians are to live.
The list of five virtues in verse 12 (“compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience”) are found elsewhere in the Pauline epistles to designate actions/characteristics of God or Christ. These “virtues” describe the character of active Christian living as God’s chosen people who are called out of the ordinary realm of human existence to be especially dedicated to God as/because God loves them. The Christian community lives as it embodies the very gospel by which it was called and that it now proclaims.
The passage tells us that virtue exists, love prevails — why? Because “the Lord has forgiven you.” Thus, that which the community experiences, the community is called to live out — and here, it is crucial to see that the “you”s of these verses are consistently in plural forms; that is, the author addresses the community, not merely the pious individual. Preaching from these verses should labor both to avoid individualizing the sense of the text and to address the congregation as a whole. The gospel is personal, but it is not — based upon these verses — to be made private. The text of Colossians envisions a community in action.
The virtues of verse 12 and the forbearance and forgiveness of verse 13 come about because of what the Lord has done. As the community lives in Christ (putting on the godly virtues delineated in the text), the work of the Lord is manifest in the community in love. Love itself is neither a mere feeling nor an abstraction. (One curmudgeon put it that “the only place that you can really know what love means is on a tennis court.”) Rather, love is that power of God that has the capacity to bind all godliness together into a divine perfection.
In light of the admonition, “Above all these put on love,” the rest of this passage registers imperatives that may be considered for forming and directing the life of a Christian community. Other than to put on (and live out) the five virtues that are given in verse 12, the passage states a variety of directions: Verse 13 tells the recipients of the letter that they must forgive exactly as the Lord has forgiven — a very high standard indeed. Verse 14 itself is the admonition to put on love, which seems to supersede and epitomize the other virtues and directions given in this passage. Verse 15 seems to speak of the results of following the directives to love and to forgive — that is, the Colossians are both to let the peace of Christ reign in their hearts and to be thankful to God for the peace and forgiveness that they experience.
Verse 16 focuses on the life of the community in quite concrete terms: The Colossians are to “let the word of Christ dwell in [them] richly, which means teaching and admonishing, and singing. Thus we see education, exhortation, and worshipful expression. Finally, in verse 17, the author tells the Colossians to do whatever they do — be it in word or in deed — in the name of the Lord, all the while giving thanks to God through him. Thus, all of life is to be devoted to the Lord and lived in accordance with the gospel of God’s grace and love at work in Jesus Christ.
In essence, all of Colossians celebrates the gift of God through Jesus Christ to the community of faith. That gift is a new context (“Christ”) and a new power (“love”) for living. As we clothe ourselves in Christ (take on his way of life) we are transformed, not merely by our own actions, but above all by God’s own love at work in the gospel of God’s grace at work in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.