The Book of Colossians
Colossians exalts the supremacy of Christ over all creation and warns against anything — philosophy, asceticism, mystical experience — that would add to or diminish him.
- Testament
- New (4 chapters)
- Type
- Epistle
- Author
- Paul, with co-author Timothy.
- Date
- About 60-62 AD, from prison.
Christ supreme over everything
Chapter 1's hymn — 'who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created... and he is before all things, and by him all things consist' (1:15-17) — is one of the most exalted Christological passages in the New Testament.
Don't add to Christ
False teachers in Colossae were pushing 'philosophy and vain deceit' (2:8), Jewish food laws, angel worship and mystical experiences as add-ons to Christ. Paul's reply: in Christ 'dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily' (2:9). Adding to him is subtracting from him.
Key verses (KJV)
“In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” — Colossians 2:9 (KJV)
“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 3:17 (KJV)
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” — Colossians 3:2 (KJV)
How to read Colossians
Four chapters — one sitting. Read alongside Philippians and Ephesians (Paul's other prison letters) for the full vision. Chapter 1:15-23 deserves memorization.
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