Summary of the book of colossians story of the bible. Commentary on the book of colossians by matthew henry. Paul wrote the letter to the colossians while in prison, but his several imprisonments leave the specific place and date of composition uncertain. Epistle to the colossians read the bible online bible study tools. If the book of ephesians can be labeled the epistle portraying the church of christ, then the focus of colossians must surely be the christ of the. Colossians bible study whats so great about jesus colossians 1.
Ephesians, colossians and philemon written at the same time. Colossians with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. These are foundational ideas which paul will use to set up his later points. The landscape of the book of colossians scholars believe colossians was penned in a prison in rome, to the church at colossae, in the lycus river valley, now modern turkey. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. Jesus is not only the god of creation, he is the ultimate authority over all created things. 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. The letter of paul to the colossians work by saint paul.
Colossians was undisputedly pauline until the nineteenth century. The person of jesus christ must be understood accurately and that he is the image of the invisible god and in him all the fulness of the godhead dwells in bodily form colossians 1. Best colossians commentaries updated for 2020 best. Colossians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of colossians for bible study or sunday school lessons.
The purpose of pauls epistle to the colossians is to instruct the believers that salvation is only in jesus christ. This basic commentary provides some basic helps for understanding and appreciating pauls written address to the colossians. You will also find options for commentaries on colossians that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. Among these are the incomprehensibility of god and the origin of sin and evil. An introduction to the book of colossians related media. Preface to the epistle of paul the apostle to the colossians. Enduring word bible commentary colossians chapter 1. Book summary colossians shows jesus christs divine characteristics. Brent kercheville december 5, 2010 click here to listen to this lesson. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like. Paul comes to the heart of the gospel and the heart of his letter to the christians in colossae. This gives further testimony to the fact that pauls epistles letters were meant to be circulated and read to all churches 4. The book of colossians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Paul probably wrote the letter because of the visit of epaphras from colosse colossians 1.
In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. The creator, the one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of time and space, the head of the church. Watch our overview video on the book of colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Before paul wrote this letter to the christians in colossae, he had never been to their city colossians 2. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. A free bible commentary on pauls letter to the colossians in easyenglish. It was situated about 100 miles east of ephesus, and was of little importance at the time of this epistle, though it had once been of considerable influence. Read colossians commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete.
The book of colossians was likely written between a. It shows his supremacy over all things, explaining what our godly response should be. Introduction to colossians bible exposition commentary. But he often prayed for the christians there colossians 1. They must grasp who jesus is and what he did for them. Colossians free bible study commentary in simple english. David guzik commentary on colossians 1, which emphasizes the greatness of. Because of jesus resurrection, believers become part of a new humanity thats joined to him, and their lives are changed and transformed here on earth. Overview of the book of colossians reformed answers to. Easyenglish is a system of simple english designed by wycliffe associates uk. It is likely that paul himself had never visited the city colossians 2.
Shortly after pauls letter was delivered, the entire valley was devastated by a severe earthquake, which further reduced colossaes importance as a city. As in the past, this is a day where, duped by the ageold lie of satan, man still continues to. This church was actually founded by papayas, an earlier convert who came from ephesus. Colossians christ is the theme and the periphery of the circle where christian living is the center. Colossians emphasizes the pleroma christ is the fullness of god colossians 2. The book of colossians is pauls letter to the christians at colosse. Colossians summary from the easyenglish bible easy. Paul was careful to warn the colossians that angels should not be worshipped colossians 2. Study bible notes when you upgrade to bible gateway plus. To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to all other powers and attempts to gain. 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.
This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and. A verse by verse explanation of colossians dorrance. The developed theology of the letter, many believe, indicates that it was composed by paul in rome about ad 62 rather than during. Summary of the book of colossians juli camarin september 3, 20 summary. Not only do we live in an atomic and space age, but in the most technologically advanced age of all time. This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he is shown to be the one who becomes our life. For example, the description of the church in colossians 2. Paul reminded the christians about the importance of jesus. It seems that paul did not start the congregation in this city. The letter of paul to the colossians, new testament writing addressed to christians at colossae, asia minor, whose congregation was founded by pauls colleague epaphras. 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 gospel is the good news about jesus christ, which is for everyone. This letter was written by paul, an apostle of jesus christ 1. Colossians commentary john gills exposition of the bible. On this point the same problem exists as with ephesians and philippians see the introductions to these letters. Every greek word in every verse, totaling 1,619 koine greek words, is written and translated from the original new testament greek scriptures. Ephesians and colossians compared though written at approximately the same time and reflecting similar themes, the books of ephesians and colossians have their own distinctive emphases. The book of colossians encourages a greater devotion to. Read colossians commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. Paul begins his letter to the colossian church, with greetings and thanks giving, however he is soon onto the main purpose which is to counter heresy that had been making some headway amongst the members. The key personalities include paul, timothy, tychicus, onesimus, aristarchus, mark, and epaphras. Colossians & philemon, niv application commentary by david garland. I summarised the bible on twitter between aug 2010 and nov 20 one tweet per chapter, one chapter per day. The book of colossians is an important look into the mystery of christ which was hidden for generations and now disclosed to the saints col. Evidence in favor of pauline authorship is the many notable similarities to his other writings.
The book of colossians gives the clearest, most comprehensive teaching on christology of all pauls epistles. That colossians is a genuine letter of paul is usually not disputed. The penalty for sin has been completely removed because of his perfect sacrifice. Paul took care to show that jesus did the work of reconciliation himself colossians 1. In the process the reader will encounter our discussions on several major, and at times controversial, doctrines and issues. Colossians commentary matthew henry commentary on the.
The book of colossians encourages christians to not compromise or turn from jesus. Some due to length, have been shortened into continued sections. Colossians chapter 1 is mostly focused on describing christ as supreme. There is no record of paul ever visiting the colossians church 2. The book of colossians was likely written around a. Paul is strongly affirmed to be the author of colossians. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original.
Colossians 2 continues to explain the mystery of god, which is christ. Colossians stresses jesus as head, which ephesians emphasizes the church as his body. A verse by verse explanation of colossians is easy to understand, easy to read, and inspiring. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4. Gnosticism and some forms of jewish mysticism greatly esteemed these supposed mediators, and considered them angelic beings of a sort. Wilson, colossians and philemon international critical commentary. This letter is a glorious reminder of everything christ did for us in conquering sin and death. The main theme of colossians is the lordship of jesus christ, it has demonstrated his authority, his preeminence, his omniscience, his omnipotence and his deity he is the fullness. Every chapter of the bible in 140 characters or less. The city of colosse is not even mentioned in the book of acts. 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. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new. The members had learned of gods truth from epaphras, who was a faithful minister of christ 1.
Philippians emphasizes the kenosis christ became a servant philippians 2. We know that this is the right understanding because of pauls. We are encouraged to continue in him in the same way we received him. Book of colossians outline summary online bible nwt. He is the image of the invisible god, the firstborn over all creation.