Purpose of Colossians
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsPurpose of Colossians
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsColossians: Powerful Doctrine About Our Supreme Savior
(Colossians 1–2)
1) WHO WROTE THE BOOK? The apostle Paul and Timothy wrote it
approximately in the year 60-62 AD. c. He was under house arrest in Rome and
awaiting trial after appealing to the Roman emperor Nero. Not one to waste
time, Paul took the opportunity to write and strengthen the church in Colossae,
a city in the southwest of modern-day Turkey.
2) WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN? 60-62 AD
3) TO WHOM WAS IT WRITTEN? to the church of Colossae
4) WHERE WAS IT WRITTEN FROM? From prison in Rome, Timothy visiting.
THE PURPOSES OF COLOSSIANS.
Paul received news of the Colossian believers through Epaphras (Col 1:8). He
wrote to them for two reasons.
• Colossians emphasizes what to believe (Colossians 1–2). First, Paul wrote in
order to correct false teachings about Christ (see figure 4.5, on the Colossian
heresy). These dangerous teachings demeaned Christ and exalted laws and
false religious experiences. Colossians emphasizes that Jesus is supreme,
above all; He is our Creator, Savior, Redeemer and Head of the church. We
should never follow any teaching that exalts an experience or knowledge above
Jesus.
• Colossians emphasizes how to live (Colossians 3–4). Second, Paul wrote to
emphasize the new life we are to live in Christ. God's will is for us to put off the
dirty clothes of our old, sinful habits and to put on the clean clothes of our new
life in Christ (Col 3:1-17). Likewise, God's will is for us to relate well to others at
home and at work (Col 3:18–4:6).
Colossians reminds us to believe in Christ, above all things, and to live for Him
in this world.
The theme of Colossians .
To correct the false teachings at Colossae, Paul proclaims that Jesus is above
all and is all we need. The message of Colossians is: In the Christian
experience, everything that can exist and everything we need is in Christ.
• We do not have to add a long list of laws to Christ in order to be saved (it
would be legalism).
• To Christ we must not add the denial of our body's desires, such as food,
water, sleep and shelter (it would be asceticism).
• We do not need to approach God through angels, priests or saints (it would be
using intermediaries).
• Secret knowledge must not be added to Christ through spiritual experiences (it
would be Gnosticism).
• Worldly wisdom must not be added to the understanding of Christ (it would be
philosophy).
Christ is enough! Christ is the answer! Christ is right! Christ is supreme! Paul's
message to the Colossians and to us is that believers can find everything we
need in Christ!
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For in
him all things were created, things in heaven and things on earth, visible and
invisible; be thrones, be dominions, be principalities, be powers; everything was
created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all
things consist; 18 and he is the head of the body that is the church, he who is
the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything he may have
the preeminence... ( Col 1:15-18 ).
Jesus is above all and He is all we need. This was Paul's response to the false
teachings at Colossae during the first century. And this must be the message of
the church today! The *compass and the north star help guide ships in the right
direction. Likewise, Jesus Christ must be the center of our attention. We must
exalt Jesus. He will keep us on the right path. He is our response to error. He is
the hope of the world and our key to victory!
The key verse of Colossians is 1:18.
The problem . The *Colossian
heresy. The false teachings of
Colossae were an example of
*syncretism; that is, mixing good
and bad beliefs. Mixing truth
with error is the most dangerous
kind of teaching. If a food is
completely spoiled, it smells bad
and people won't eat it.
Likewise, when a teaching is all
wrong, people avoid it. But a
little poison mixed with good
food kills people. And false teachings mixed with truth lead many astray. Figure
4.16 summarizes the main false teachings that some call the
*Colossian heresy. Please study the six characteristics of these false teachings
from Colossae. Then you will appreciate the way Paul exalts Jesus Christ
above false teachings.
THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COLOSSIAN HERESY.
Characteristic Explanation Colossians
1. Salvation by RULES (Legalism)
These strict rules were about salvation through diets, religious festivals, and
circumcision. These rules had deep roots in Jewish traditions. Therefore let no
one judge you in food or drink, or in regard to festival days, new moon or
Sabbath days... (Col 2:16) 2:4, 8, 11, 16-17, 20; 3:11
2. Salvation by SELF-DENIAL (Asceticism)
Christ taught us to deny ourselves in certain areas. But the false teachers of
Colossae denied the body in such a way that it had no spiritual value. They
treated the body harshly, denying its needs with rules like “Don't drive! Don't
like it!” Do not touch!" 2:20-21, 23
3. Adoration of ANGELS
Some taught that God should be approached through angels, instead of Jesus.
These false teachers, like some today, taught that
God was too far above us or too severe to approach Him directly. 2:18-19
4. Put down CHRIST
The false teachers tried to put Jesus down. In their place they placed
themselves, angels or human rules. This is the main reason Paul emphasized
the theme of Colossians: Jesus is above all. Review the introduction that begins
this chapter. 1:15-20; 2:2-3, 9
5. Salvation by SECRET KNOWLEDGE (A form of Gnosticism)
Some of these false teachers were Gnostics , from the Greek word meaning
“knowledge.” The teachers of * Gnosticism claimed that they had the secret
knowledge necessary for salvation. In contrast, Paul emphasizes that Jesus is
ALL we need for salvation; Well, in Christ “… all the treasures (secrets) of
wisdom and knowledge are hidden.” 2:2-4, 18
6. Salvation by HUMAN WISDOM (Philosophy)
Paul warns the Colossian believers: “let no one deceive you with persuasive
words” or “let no one deceive you through philosophy and empty deceit…”. The
Greek word for philosophy means “love of wisdom.” Paul contrasts human
wisdom with divine wisdom. He says that the false wisdom and teachings of
Colossae are “according to the traditions of men, according to the rudiments of
the world.” But in Christ “…all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are
hidden.”
Danger: Beware of false teachers (Colossians 2:8, 16-19).
Some rules, like those in Colossians 3, are good.
Take heed that no one deceive you through philosophy and empty deceit,
according to the traditions of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and
not according to
Christ (Col 2:8).
Paul is interested in seeing believers continue to walk with Christ. A second
interest he has is that believers avoid becoming captives of cunning teachers,
those who mislead people with philosophy, simple human reasoning. Paul
warns believers: “Take heed that no one deceive you through philosophy and
empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the principles of
the world, and not according to Christ” (Col 2:8).
Paul is not opposed to education, reflection or dialogue about life's questions.
But Paul's emphasis is that believers hold Christ supreme, above all, as the Son
of God.
Application. Sincere Christians sometimes look to the future, straining to see
God's will. But this one is not difficult to find. To find God's will, we do not need
to ascend a mountain or cross the sea. Each of us finds it by exalting Jesus,
obeying him and following him. His Holy Spirit leads us to live a holy life. He
guides us to be kind and courteous to others. As we do these simple things that
are His general will, it will be easy for Him to guide us in specific ways. Wise
says: “The will of God is not that we see very distant mysteries, but that we do
the good that is at hand.”