A Study on

the Book of Colossians

INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

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AUTHORSHIPThe Apostle Paul claimed to have written the letter of Colossians, referring to himself several times in the letter (1:1; 1:23; 4:18). Internal and external evidence both affirm Paul’s authorship as many of Paul’s familiar associates appear in the letter (Chapter 4). The content of the letter is strongly connected with Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, and several church fathers (Irenaeus, Origin, Clement of Alexandria, etc.) affirm Paul’s authorship.

SITUATIONColossians is one of the “Prison Epistles” Paul wrote during his first imprisonment in Rome around 60-62 AD. At the same time he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. All four of the letters refer to Paul’s imprisonment, and both Ephesians and Colossians refer to Tychicus’ carrying the epistles from Paul to their destinations (Eph. 6:21; cf. Col. 4:7).

While in prison, Epaphras (Epaphroditus) visited Paul and brought with him a gift from the Philippian church (Phil 4:18). While there he reported to Paul news of some false teaching that had arisen in Colossae that was beginning to threaten the life of the church. This false teaching seemed to be a mixture of Jewish legalism, gnostic philosophy, and mysticism aimed at undermining the person and work of Jesus. Paul responded by writing this letter to counteract the false teaching and sent it back to Colossae by Tychicus and Onesimus as Epaphras stayed behind in Rome.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDThe city of Colossae was located about one hundred miles east of Ephesus and about eleven miles southeast of Laodicea in the heart of the Lycus valley. Scholars are unsure of how the church in Colossae was founded, as there is no mention in the letter or in the book of Acts. What seems clear is that Paul himself did not start the church as he had up to this point never visited them (1:4, 2:1). It is possible that Timothy started the church during Paul’s stay in Ephesus. A more likely suggestion is that Epaphras (who was from Colossae) founded the church after having been converted by Paul (1:7, 4:12).

PURPOSEThe letter has three main purposes: first, to show the deity and supremacy of Christ in the face of the false teaching spreading throughout the church (1:18; 2:9). Second, Paul wanted to help encourage the Colossians toward spiritual maturity (1:18; 2:6-7). Third, he wanted to inform them about his current affairs and elicit their prayers on his behalf (4:2–8).

WEEK 1COLOSSIANS 1:1–8

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NOTES:

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MEMORY VERSES (1:3–5a)

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.”

04

WEEK 2COLOSSIANS 1:9–14

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MEMORY VERSES (1:13–14)

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

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WEEK 3COLOSSIANS 1:15–23

NOTES:

07

MEMORY VERSES (1:19–20)

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

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WEEK 4COLOSSIANS 1:24–2:5

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MEMORY VERSES (1:28)

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

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WEEK 5COLOSSIANS 2:6–15

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MEMORY VERSES (2:6–7)

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

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WEEK 6COLOSSIANS 2:16–23

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13

MEMORY VERSES (2:16–17)

“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”

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WEEK 7COLOSSIANS 3:1–11

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MEMORY VERSES (3:1–3)

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

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WEEK 8COLOSSIANS 3:12–17

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MEMORY VERSES (3:16–17)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

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WEEK 9GENESIS 1–3

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MEMORY VERSES

Take this week to review the passages you’ve committed to memory so far in this series.

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WEEK 10COLOSSIANS 3:18–21

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MEMORY VERSES (3:18–21)

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

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WEEK 11COLOSSIANS 3:22–4:1

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MEMORY VERSES (3:23–24)

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

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WEEK 2COLOSSIANS 1:9–14

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WEEK 12COLOSSIANS 4:2–6

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MEMORY VERSES (4:2–6)

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

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WEEK 13COLOSSIANS 4:7–19

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MEMORY VERSES (4:2–6)

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

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ADDITIONAL NOTES

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