Prison Epistles: Colossians

Introduction:

Pablo had been sentenced to two years in prison because of his faith (1:24; 4:3, 10,
18; Acts 28:30). How would he react to the sad news (2:8, 20-21) about people
that he had not yet known (1:4, 7, 8; 2:1), but for whom he cared a lot (2:1–
3; 4:18)? This was the dilemma that the apostle Paul faced when Epaphras, the founder of
the church in Colossae visited him in Rome for several days (1:3–8; 4:12; Phm 1:23). In the year
60 A.D., Paul was motivated to write this letter to the church in Colossae (1:1, 23; 4:18) and
He sent it with the efficient Tychicus and with one of his own team, Onesimus (4:7–9). Colossians
was located in the valley of the Lico River in Phrygia, a region of Asia Minor. Its inhabitants
they were natives of Phrygia, Greek colonizers, and many Jews. Paul had traveled through
this area, but he had not visited Colossae (2:1). On his second missionary journey he did not visit
Colossae because the Holy Spirit had forbidden him to preach in Asia (Acts 16:6). In
on his third trip he again passed by the city, opting instead to travel through "the
upper regions" to Ephesus (Acts 19:1). During Paul's long ministry there, without
embargo, it is clear that he considered not only Colossae, but also Hierapolis and Laodicea
as part of their area to manage (2:1; 4:13, 15–16).
The error that had infiltrated the church of Colossae was complex. It contained
elements of Jewish legalism (2:11–16), asceticism (2:20–23) and speculations
philosophical (2:8). Perhaps this was the precursor to what in the second and third century
it became known as Gnosticism. This occult philosophy denied both the fullness of deity and
the full humanity of Jesus Christ (cp. 2:9. 1:19), and advocated for the worship of
intermediaries between God and man (2:18–19). In refuting this insidious teaching,
Pablo did not confront her strongly because these ideas were not yet completely
developed. He also does not reprimand the believers in Colossae, most of whom do not
they were converted of theirs (v. Panoramic View of Philemon). Rather, the apostle uses a
effective strategy: the clear presentation of the truths of the gospel. For that reason this
The letter contains one of the most powerful images of the Son of God (1:15–20; 2:9–15).
Pablo wants his readers to clearly understand that an understanding of grace
God encourages Christians to allow Christ to have the first place in everything (1:6, 18).
 In a longer than usual greeting, Pablo begins the letter by thanking
God for the response of the Christians in Colossae to the gospel that Epaphras had already given them.

announced (1:3–8). He prays that they continue to grow in wisdom, so that they may reach
to fully understand what is involved in your redemption through Christ (1:9–14).
Those sentences were appropriate because the heretical teachers boasted of having a
higher knowledge (2:3–4). In the rest of chapter 1 and in chapter 2, Paul writes about
the supremacy of Christ. The position planned by God for his Son (1:15–23), the
the mystery of God proclaimed by Paul (1:24–2:3) and the salvation of God provided by
the means of Christ (2:4–23), all of this points to Jesus Christ occupying the foremost place in everything

He is the eternal truth of God, the answer to all forms of prevailing error in
Colossians.
With these truths clearly exposed, Paul indicates how the supremacy of
Christ must be applied in everyday Christian life. Chapters 3 and 4 (up to verse 6)
they deal with these practical matters. The dynamics of the new life of the believer (3:1–17) ...
the duties of that new life at home (3:18–21), at work (3:22–4:1), in
the prayer (4:2–4) and among the non-believers (4:5–6). In the final greetings, Paul mentions
various people who were with him in Rome or in Colossae (4:7–17), and concludes with his
own signature (4:18).
This first letter, of the four that Paul wrote during his first
imprisonment in Rome stands out as a testimony that the best antidote for the
Heresy is the biblical view of the person and work of Christ.

Content:

I. Introduction (initial greetings) 1.1-2

II. Nature of the Lordship of Christ 1.3-2.7

B. Prayer for Their Growth in Christ 1.9-14

C. Christ as Lord 1.15-19

Lord of creation 1.15-17

Lord of the new creation 1.18-19

Reconciler of all things 1.20

2) Reconciler of the Colossian Christians 1.21-23

E. Pablo: minister of Christ for preaching 1.24-29

Participate in the sufferings of Christ 1.24

Herald of the Christian Mystery 1.25-2

3) Instructor of the saints 1.28-29

F. Paul's concern for the Christians of the valley in Laodicea 2.1-7

III. Lordship of Christ and the false teachings of Colossians 2:8-3:4

A. Exclusive Sufficiency of Christ 2.8-15

Christ: Lord of all power and authority 2.8-10

Christ: Source of the Christian's new life 2.11-14

3) Christ: Conqueror of Rulers and Spiritual Authorities 2.15

B. The practices of the Colossians as a denial of the lordship of Christ 2.16-19

1) Concern about the ritual, a return to past times 2.16-17

Submission to angelic powers, separation from Christ 2.18-19

C. The practices of the Colossians as a contradiction of their corporate life in

1) Death with Christ means death to the regulations of the old age 2.20-23

2) The resurrection with Christ demands a new world and a new life 3.1-4

IV. The lordship of Christ in the Christian life 3.5-4.6

A. The Christian imperative: Each one lives the reality in Christ 3.5-17

Shedding the old 3.5-9

2) Clothe yourselves with the new 3.10-17

The Christian Home 3:18-4:1

3) Relationship with non-Christians 4.5-6

V. Conclusion 4.7-18

A. Recommendation of the bearers of the letter 4.7-9

B. Greetings from Pablo's collaborators 4.10-14

C. Greetings and blessing from the apostle 4.15-18

Application:

Although Pablo covers many areas, the basic application for us in the
current events, it is the total and complete sufficiency of Christ in our lives, both for our
salvation as for our sanctification. We must know and understand the gospel, in order to
not to be diverted by subtle forms of legalism and heresy. We must be on guard
for any deviation that minimizes the greatness of Christ as Lord and Savior.
Any 'religion' that tries to equate itself with the truth, using books that
they claim to be on the same authority as the Bible, or those who combine human effort
with the divine achievement in salvation, they must be avoided.
Other religions cannot be combined with or added to Christianity. Christ
gives us the absolute norms of moral conduct. Christianity is a family, a
way of life, and a relationship—not a religion. The works of God, astrology, the
Occultism and horoscopes do not show us the paths of God. Only Christ does.
His will is revealed in His Word, it is His love letter to us; we must
get to know her!1

Bibliography

1
Inductive study of the Bible. God exalts Christ as Lord.
col. Consultation made on March 28, 2018
Biblical outlines. Moody NT Bible Commentary. Portavoz Edition. Outline of the epistle to the
Colossians
the-colossians/. Query made on March 28, 2018.

Study inductive of the Bible. God exalt a Christ how Mr.