The Strand Study Bible

COLOSSIANS

Author: Paul Theme: The Supremacy of CHRIST (Colo 2:9-10)

About the Author: Paul, whose name means “little,” was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5), and a native of Tarsus, a city of Cilicia (Acts 21:39 & 22:3). Also called Saul, Paul inherited the rights of Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28) because his father was a Pharisee (Acts 23:6). At the age of perhaps thirteen (Acts 26:4-5), Paul was sent to Jerusalem and there became a student of orthodox Judaism under Gamaliel, a teacher of the law (Acts 22:3). Paul is first mentioned in Acts 7:58 where we find him consenting to the death of Stephen. His fanatical devotion to Judaism and his extreme hatred for Christianity made him the acknowledged leader of the Christian persecution. The spread of Christianity forced Paul to travel far and wide for his victims. Armed with authority from the High Priest, Paul journeyed toward Damascus where he had heard there were many Christians. It was while he was approaching that city that his wonderful conversion took place (c. AD 37 - Acts 9:3-6). For the next thirty years (from c. AD 37 to 67), until his death, Paul would go on three missionary journeys and face two Roman imprisonments. He would write thirteen epistles (fourteen, if you count Hebrews) and become known as the preacher to the Gentiles. About the Book: Paul sets forth to battle false doctrine with Biblical truth. He warns the church against philosophic teachers who try to downplay the superiority of Christ. Colossians was written from Rome c. 62 AD (during Paul’s First Roman Imprisonment - Acts 28:29-31). Helpful Background : The letter to the Colossians was written to the church at Colosse, approximately 100 miles east of Ephesus. As far as we know, Paul had never preached in Colosse (Colo 1:4 & 2:1). The writing of the letter was prompted by a visit from Epaphras, who came to Paul with a disturbing report of the church’s condition (Colo 1:7-8 & 4:12-13). Epaphras (a native of Colosse) was probably saved during Paul’s three-year work in Ephesus on his Third Missionary Journey (Acts 19:1 - 20:1). He was then, most likely, sent back by Paul to preach in his native city (Colo 1:7). Epaphras seems to have also evangelized the nearby cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis (Colo 4:12-13). Tychicus and Onesimus delivered the Colossian epistle (Colo 4:7-9), along with the Ephesians ’ epistle (Eph 6:21-22). Notes of Interest: 1. There are no OT quotations or characters found in Colossians . 2. Prophecies are referred to 2 times in Colossians . 3. There is 1 inset map used in the book of Colossians . It is numbered chronologically (#66). Outline of Colossians : 1. Paul’s greeting (Colo 1) 2. Beware of false doctrine (Colo 2) 3. The Word-filled/Spirit-filled walk (Colo 3-4) Colossians 1 Greetings from Paul to the church at Colosse Date Written - c. AD 62 1. Joel 2:13 2. Phile 4 & Eph 1:16 3. Phile 5 & Eph 1:15 4. I Pet 1:3-4 the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

7 As ye also learned of 7 Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the 8 SPIRIT . Paul’s prayer for the Colossians 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, 9 and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 10 Strengthened with all might, accord- ing to his glorious power, unto all patience

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: 1 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give 2 thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we 3 heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 4 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the 5 GOSPEL ; 6 Which is come unto you, 6 as it is in all

5. I Cor 15:1-4 & Rom 1:16 & Gal 3:6-8 & Heb 4:1-2 6. Rom 1:8 & Colo 1:23 & I Thess 1:8 7. Colo 4:12 & Phile 23 8. Rom 15:30 9. Eph 1:7 10. Eph 3:16

1:2 Whereas the first two chapters to the church of Colosse relate primarily to “ principle” (doctrine), the last two chapters relate primarily to “ practice” (behavior; manner of life). Interestingly enough, Paul did not treat the subject of “ behavior” (chapters 3-4) until he first treated the subject of “ belief ” (doctrine). THE ADAGE IS TRUE: What you believe determines how you behave 1990