1. The Epistle to the Colossians Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran Church Adult Bible Class 2005

2. The Epistle to the Colossians Author: Apostle Paul (1:1, 4:18) Author: Apostle Paul (1:1, 4:18) Time and Place of writing: Wrote around 61-63 A.D. from Rome. Time and Place of writing: Wrote around 61-63 A.D. from Rome. Colossians is one of Paul’s four ‘prison epistles” (4:18). The others are Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. Colossians is one of Paul’s four ‘prison epistles” (4:18). The others are Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon.

3. The Epistle to the Colossians The Purpose of the Writing (1:7-8) The Purpose of the Writing (1:7-8) –Congregation was in two-fold danger Relapse into paganism (1:21-23: 2:6, 3:5-11) Relapse into paganism (1:21-23: 2:6, 3:5-11) The Colossian Heresy was Approaching The Colossian Heresy was Approaching –Philosophies of men (2:8) –Judaistic ceremonialism (2:11, 16-17) –Angel worship (2:18) –Asceticism (2:20-23)

4. The Epistle to the Colossians In the congregation of Colosse were those of a heretical mind who considered themselves better Christians than the true believers. They believed that a complete and lasting salvation could not be achieved simply by faith in Christ as Paul taught. In addition it was necessary to obtain an insight into divine things through a secret knowledge given in a mystical way. In the congregation of Colosse were those of a heretical mind who considered themselves better Christians than the true believers. They believed that a complete and lasting salvation could not be achieved simply by faith in Christ as Paul taught. In addition it was necessary to obtain an insight into divine things through a secret knowledge given in a mystical way.

5. The Epistle to the Colossians The city of Colosse The city of Colosse –100 miles east of Ephesus in Asia Minor –Part of a tri-city area made up of Colosse, Laodicea, and Hierapolis Heirapolis – a place for health, pleasure, and relaxation Heirapolis – a place for health, pleasure, and relaxation Colosse – a small pagan city, with a strong intermingling of Jews. Colosse – a small pagan city, with a strong intermingling of Jews. Laodicea – known for its commercial trade and politics Laodicea – known for its commercial trade and politics

7. The Epistle to the Colossians The Church at Colosse The Church at Colosse –The details of how, who, when the church was established are uncertain –Paul may never have been there (2:1) –Epaphras preached the gospel there (1:5-8) –Epaphras may have been from Colosse “one of you” (4:12)

8. The Epistle to the Colossians The Key Verses: Colossians 2:9-10 The Key Verses: Colossians 2:9-10 –“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power”

9. The Epistle to the Colossians Outline Outline –Introduction (1:1-14) –The Preeminence (superiority) of Christ (1:15- 23) –The Apostle of Christ (1:24-2:7) –Warnings against heresy (2:8-23) –The Christian Endeavor of Faith (3:1-4:6) –Final Instructions, Conclusion (4:7-18)

10. The Epistle to the Colossians Introduction (1:1-14) Introduction (1:1-14) –Salutation (1-2) From Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ and Timothy From Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ and Timothy To the saints and faithful in Christ in Colosse To the saints and faithful in Christ in Colosse –Thanksgiving and Prayer (3-14) Unceasing prayers in their behalf because of their faith and love, hope of salvation. Unceasing prayers in their behalf because of their faith and love, hope of salvation. Paul prays that they would be: filled with wisdom and the Spirit, walk pleasing to God, and be strengthened Paul prays that they would be: filled with wisdom and the Spirit, walk pleasing to God, and be strengthened

11. The Epistle to the Colossians The Preeminence of Christ (1:15-23) The Preeminence of Christ (1:15-23) –In Creation (15-17) He is the image of the invisible God He is the image of the invisible God He is the firstborn of every creature and all things were created by Him and for Him. He is the firstborn of every creature and all things were created by Him and for Him. –In Redemption (18-23) He is the head of the body, the church He is the head of the body, the church He is the firstborn from the dead He is the firstborn from the dead All the fullness of God dwells in Him All the fullness of God dwells in Him The Colossians themselves are a case in point. They were once alienated from God but are now reconciled to Him. The Colossians themselves are a case in point. They were once alienated from God but are now reconciled to Him.

12. The Epistle to the Colossians The Apostle of Christ (1:24-29) The Apostle of Christ (1:24-29) –His Joy (24) In suffering for their sake In suffering for their sake His personal suffering in his own flesh His personal suffering in his own flesh All is done for the sake of the church All is done for the sake of the church –His Ministry (25-29) He was made a minister for their sake He was made a minister for their sake To make manifest the Word of God to the saints To make manifest the Word of God to the saints To warn and teach every man in wisdom that every one could be perfect in Christ Jesus To warn and teach every man in wisdom that every one could be perfect in Christ Jesus

13. The Epistle to the Colossians Paul’s Solicitude (Anxiety) (2:1-7) Paul’s Solicitude (Anxiety) (2:1-7) –His Great Concern for Them (1-3) In Colosse and Laodicia In Colosse and Laodicia That their hearts would be knit together in love That their hearts would be knit together in love That they would receive understanding and knowledge of the mystery of God That they would receive understanding and knowledge of the mystery of God –Reasons for this Concern (4-5) There are those that attempt to deceive them There are those that attempt to deceive them –Exhortation to be Established in Christ (6-7) They have received Christ, now walk in Him They have received Christ, now walk in Him Be rooted and built up in Him and established in faith abounding with thanksgiving Be rooted and built up in Him and established in faith abounding with thanksgiving

14. The Epistle to the Colossians Warning against Heresy (2:8-23) Warning against Heresy (2:8-23) –Warning against philosophy (8-10) Which is according to the traditions of men Which is according to the traditions of men –Warning against Judaistic Ceremonialism (11-17) In Christ is a circumcision made without hands In Christ is a circumcision made without hands –Warning against Angel Worship (18-19) False humility and worshiping of angels False humility and worshiping of angels –Warning against Asceticism (20-22) Man made attempt to check the “indulgence of the flesh”. Man made attempt to check the “indulgence of the flesh”. This is devised by man This is devised by man Do not be governed by it Do not be governed by it Neglect of the body is of no value against the lust of the flesh Neglect of the body is of no value against the lust of the flesh

15. The Epistle to the Colossians The Christian Answer or Solution (3:1-17) The Christian Answer or Solution (3:1-17) –Set Your Mind on Things Above (1-4) Since you were raised with Christ Since you were raised with Christ Not on the things on this earth Not on the things on this earth Your life is hid with Christ in God Your life is hid with Christ in God –Put Off the Old Man (5-9) Fornication, uncleanness, passion, anger, wrath Fornication, uncleanness, passion, anger, wrath –Put on the New Man (10-17) Renewed in the image of our Creator Renewed in the image of our Creator As the elect of God As the elect of God Let peace be in your heart, be thankful Let peace be in your heart, be thankful Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly

16. The Epistle to the Colossians Familial Responsibilities (3:18-4:1) Familial Responsibilities (3:18-4:1) –Wives toward Husbands (18) Submit yourselves Submit yourselves –Husbands toward Wives (19) Love your wives Love your wives –Children toward their Parents (20) Obey your parents Obey your parents –Fathers toward their Children (21) Provoke not your children Provoke not your children –Servants toward Masters (22-25) Obey your master Obey your master –Masters toward Servants (4:1) Give to your servants that which is just and equal Give to your servants that which is just and equal

17. The Epistle to the Colossians Exhortations to Prayer and Proper Conduct (4:2-6) Exhortations to Prayer and Proper Conduct (4:2-6) –Devote yourself to Prayer (2-4) Pray for the ministers of God that the Word would be opened to them Pray for the ministers of God that the Word would be opened to them –Conduct Yourselves Properly (5-6) Walk in wisdom toward those who don’t believe. Walk in wisdom toward those who don’t believe. Speak with grace, seasoned with salt is how you ought to answer every man. Speak with grace, seasoned with salt is how you ought to answer every man.

18. The Epistle to the Colossians Paul’s Companions (4:7-14) Paul’s Companions (4:7-14) –Commendation of his Messengers (7-9) Tychicus is a dear brother and fellow servant who was sent by Paul to comfort the Colossians Tychicus is a dear brother and fellow servant who was sent by Paul to comfort the Colossians Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother and one of you Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother and one of you –Greetings from his friends (10-14) From Aristachus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas From Aristachus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas

19. The Epistle to the Colossians Concluding Remarks (4:15-18) Concluding Remarks (4:15-18) –Personal Messages (15-17) Greet the brethren Greet the brethren Pass this epistle to the Laodicians Pass this epistle to the Laodicians Charge Archippus to take heed of his ministry Charge Archippus to take heed of his ministry –A personal request He has written the salutation himself He has written the salutation himself Remember him in prison Remember him in prison He prays he could be with them. He prays he could be with them.