2. The Surroundings The Similarities The Situation The Structure The Significance

3. The Surroundings

5. Tri-Cities To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae (1:2b) For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face (2:1) For I testify for him [Epaphras] that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. (4:13)

6. Tri-Cities When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. (4:16)

7. © Charlie Ray

9. The Tri-Cities and Ephesus Acts 18:23; 19:1

10. The Similarities

11. Colossians Introduction Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

12. Philemon Introduction Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother: To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

13. Colossians Closing As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond- servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. (4:7-18)

14. Colossians Philemon Colossians Philemon Timothy Tychicus Onesimus Aristarchus Mark Justus Epaphras Luke Demas Nympha Archippus Timothy Philemon Appia Archippus Onesimus Epaphras Mark Aristarchus Demas Luke © Charlie Ray

15. Eph 6:21-2 Col 4:7-8 Tychicus, our dearly loved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts. (HCSB) Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts. (HCSB)

16. Eph 2:1, 5-6a Col 2:13, 12 Eph 2:1, 5-6a Col 2:13, 12 And you being dead in your trespasses and sins we being dead in trespasses He made us alive with the Messiah. You are saved by grace! And He raised us up together And you being dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses. He raised us up together

17. Rulers and Authorities Eph. 1:21 far above all rule & authority and power & dominion Eph. 3:10 to the rulers & the authorities in the heavenly places Eph. 6:12 but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness Col 1:16 whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities Col 2:10 He is the head over all rule & authority Col 2:15 When He had disarmed the rulers & authorities

18. Household Code Eph. 5:21-6:9 – Wives (40 words) – Husbands (152 words) – Children (35 words) – Fathers (16 words) – Slaves (59 words) – Masters (28) Col. 3:18-4:1 – Wives (9 words) – Husbands (10 words) – Children (13 words) – Fathers (10 words) – Slaves (56 words) – Masters (18 words)

19. TheSituation

20. Herodotus ( BC 480 ) Herodotus ( BC 480 ) – “Great city of Phyrgia” Strabo ( mid-first century AD ) Strabo ( mid-first century AD ) – “Small town”

21. The Tri-Cities and Ephesus Acts 18:23; 19:1

22. © Charlie Ray

28. Demographics Jewish population in tri-city area – 11,000-14,000 adult Jewish males

29. Religions Polytheism (coins from Colossae) – Isis, Mithras, Demeter, Helios, Selene (moon), Artemis, Men (Phrygian deity) Gnosticism Mystery Religions Judaism Christianity

30. Religions Superstition & Syncritism Theology – Dualistic – Pyramid with Pure Spirit @ top – Legalism vs Libertinism – Matures in the 2 nd century

31. Local Church Epaphras (4:12-13) Archippus (4:17) Nympha (4:15) Paul

33. Occasion for the Letter Epaphras sought out Paul – For this reason also, since the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you (1:9 NASB) Onesimus found Paul – I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel (Phlm 10-13 NASB)

34. Purpose of the Letter Prayer Prayer –... ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (1:9- 10)

35. Presenting Every Man Presenting Every Man – We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. (1:28) Intro to Opposition Intro to Opposition – Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him (2:6)

36. Opposition See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world (2:8) Circumcision (2:11)

37. Opposition Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day (2:16) Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, (2:18)

38. Opposition “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with use) — in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? (2:21-22) These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. (2:23)

39. Opposition: Summary Beware that no one take you captive (2:8) Let no one judge you (2:16) Let no one rob you (2:18)

40. The content of the opposition is similar to Galatians but the tone of the letter is definitely different. Positive Description – Your love in the Spirit (1:8) – rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. (2:5)

41. Summary of Opposition Theories At least 40 different reconstructions – No two are exactly alike Usually focuses on two elements – Gnosticism and/or mystery religions Definitely a Jewish element

42. TheStructure Consult handout on 1 st century epistle structure

43. The Significance

44. Answer to the Problem Jesus – Christ Hymn (1:13-21) – Elemental spirits (2:9-15)

45. Key Passages High Christology in 1:15-20 Completing the sufferings of Christ, 1:24-29 Soteriology in 2:9-15 Christ-centered exegesis, 2:16-17

46. Living a Christian life, 3:15-18 Devoted to prayer, 4:2-6 Fulfill your ministry, 4:17

47. Application 1:1-3:4—6 imperatives 3:5-4:6—18 imperatives

48. Beginning (1:1-12) - Prescript (1:1-8) I. Salutation (1:1-2) I. Salutation (1:1-2) II. Thank God (1:3-8) A. Reasons -- because of A. Reasons -- because of 1. Development of God’s character 1. Development of God’s character a. Your faith (v 4) a. Your faith (v 4) b. Your love (v 4) b. Your love (v 4) c. Your hope (v 5) c. Your hope (v 5)

49. - Prooimion (1:9-12) III. Pray (1:9-11) … that you may A. be filled with knowledge of God’s will (v 9) A. be filled with knowledge of God’s will (v 9) B. live a life worthy of the Lord (v 10) B. live a life worthy of the Lord (v 10) 1. bear fruit (v 10) 1. bear fruit (v 10) 2. grow in knowledge (v 10) 2. grow in knowledge (v 10) 3. Be strengthened with power (v 11) 3. Be strengthened with power (v 11)

50. Body (1:13-4:6) A Hymn to Christ (1:13-20) I. Intro: The Father’s Work (v 13) I. Intro: The Father’s Work (v 13) A. Rescued us from darkness (v 13) A. Rescued us from darkness (v 13) B. Brought us into the Kingdom (v 13) B. Brought us into the Kingdom (v 13) II. Stanza: Christ & creation (vv 15-16) A. His identity (v 15) A. His identity (v 15) 1. Image of invisible God 1. Image of invisible God 2. ”Firstborn” of creation 2. ”Firstborn” of creation B. His work: He creates “all things” (v 16) B. His work: He creates “all things” (v 16)

51. III. Interlude (v 18a) IV. Stanza: Christ & new creation A. His identity (v 18b) A. His identity (v 18b) 1. the Beginning 1. the Beginning 2. the “Firstborn” from the dead 2. the “Firstborn” from the dead B. His work: He reconciles “all things” (v 20) B. His work: He reconciles “all things” (v 20) V. Conclusion (vv 21-23) V. Conclusion (vv 21-23) A. Application (v 21) A. Application (v 21) B. Contrast (vv 21-22) B. Contrast (vv 21-22) 1. past alienation 1. past alienation 2. present reconciliation 2. present reconciliation

52. Proclaiming Christ (1:24-2:5) Epistolary Rejoice & Disclosure Formulas I. Proclamation Requires Suffering I. Proclamation Requires Suffering A. For Christ A. For Christ B. For His Church - to present … B. For His Church - to present … 1. the Word in Christ & … 1. the Word in Christ & … 2. the people in Christ in 2. the people in Christ in fullness fullness

53. Living in Christ (2:6-3:17) I. Step out in Christ by … (2:6-7) I. Step out in Christ by … (2:6-7) A. being rooted & built up in Jesus (v 7) A. being rooted & built up in Jesus (v 7) B. being strengthened in the faith (v 7) B. being strengthened in the faith (v 7) C. overflowing with thanksgiving (v 7) C. overflowing with thanksgiving (v 7) - Catechesis (what to believe; 2:9-19) II. Do not be taken captive (2:8) A. Dangers to avoid A. Dangers to avoid 1. vain philosophies 1. vain philosophies 2. human traditions 2. human traditions 3. the elements of this world 3. the elements of this world

54. B. Truths to Remember (2:11-15) 1. Your identity in Christ (2:11-12) 1. Your identity in Christ (2:11-12) a. circumcised with Christ a. circumcised with Christ b. raised with Christ b. raised with Christ 2. The work of Christ (2:13-15) 2. The work of Christ (2:13-15) a. made you alive with Him a. made you alive with Him 1. by forgiving your trespasses 1. by forgiving your trespasses 2. took the law out of the way 2. took the law out of the way 3. made a public spectacle of 3. made a public spectacle of principalities principalities III. Avoid Judaism shadows IV. Avoid Gnostic deceptions

55. -Paranesis (how to behave; 2:20-4:6) Virtue & Vice Lists (2:20-3:17) III. Dying & Rising w/Christ (2:20-3:17) A. The Meaning (2:20-23; 3:1-4) A. The Meaning (2:20-23; 3:1-4) B. The Significance (3:5-17) B. The Significance (3:5-17) 1. “put to death” certain vices (3:5-7) 1. “put to death” certain vices (3:5-7) 2. “put off” certain verbalizations (3:8-11) 2. “put off” certain verbalizations (3:8-11) 3. “put on” certain virtues (3:12-15) 3. “put on” certain virtues (3:12-15) 4. let the Word of God dwell in you (3:16-17) 4. let the Word of God dwell in you (3:16-17) i. by teaching i. by teaching ii. by admonishing ii. by admonishing iii. by singing iii. by singing iv. by giving thanks iv. by giving thanks

56. Household Codes (3:18-4:1) I. Wives & Husbands (3:18-19) I. Wives & Husbands (3:18-19) A. Vocative A. Vocative B. Imperative (cf w/Eph 5:21-22) B. Imperative (cf w/Eph 5:21-22) 1. wives (true of ALL household codes) 1. wives (true of ALL household codes) 2. husbands (unlike other household codes) 2. husbands (unlike other household codes) II. Children & Parents (3:20-21) II. Children & Parents (3:20-21) A. Vocative B. Imperative III. Employees & Employers (3:22-4:1) A. Vocative B. Imperative

57. C. Each ends with “knowing that” (3:24; 4:1) i. Employees i. Employees a. Promise: you will receive Lord’s reward a. Promise: you will receive Lord’s reward b. Warning: consequences for doing wrong b. Warning: consequences for doing wrong ii. Employers: you have a Boss in heaven ii. Employers: you have a Boss in heaven IV. More Household Codes (4:2-6) A. Missionary Outreach (4:2-4) i. Actions (v 2) i. Actions (v 2) ii. Purposes: so that … (vv 3-4) ii. Purposes: so that … (vv 3-4) a. God will open a door for His Word b. He will make God’s Word clear B. Relational Outreach (4:5-6) i. Actions (vv 5-6a) ii. Purpose (v 6b) i. Actions (vv 5-6a) ii. Purpose (v 6b)

58. Conclusion (4:7-18) News & Greetings (4:7-18) I. Epilogue: News (vv 7-9) I. Epilogue: News (vv 7-9) II. Postscript (vv 10-18) A. Greetings (vv 10-15) A. Greetings (vv 10-15) B. Final Instructions: church/ministry (vv 16-17) B. Final Instructions: church/ministry (vv 16-17) i. Read Paul’s letters (v 16) i. Read Paul’s letters (v 16) ii. Exhort fellow Christ-follower (v 17) ii. Exhort fellow Christ-follower (v 17) a. Take heed to your ministry a. Take heed to your ministry b. Fulfill your ministry b. Fulfill your ministry

59. C. Final authentication & request (v 18) C. Final authentication & request (v 18) i. Note personal handwritten greeting i. Note personal handwritten greeting ii. Remember those imprisoned and suffering for Jesus ii. Remember those imprisoned and suffering for Jesus iii. Blessing of God’s grace iii. Blessing of God’s grace “Jesus IS Above All” © 2013, Dennis L. Phelps