COLOSSIANS INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY

COLOSSIANS INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY

By Dennis Schmidt 2/2008

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This paper discusses the book of Colossians. This Bible book is Christ centered using Christ 26 times, Lord 13 and Jesus 8 times. Colossians also states thank God, 6 times. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

COLOSSIANS THEME:

DIVINITY, SUPREMACY, & GLORY OF CHRIST AS GOD'S ETERNAL SON.

Colossians 1:15-19 "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: {16} For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: {17} And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. {18} And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. {19} For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;"

CHAPTER THEMES & ELEMENTS

BOOK STRUCTURE	OUTLINE	TOPICS	CHAPTER(S) THEMES
Introduction -	Introduction	Doctrinal: What Christ has done for the Christian	(1:1-13) Be filled with God's will to be translated into Gods kingdom
Preeminence of Christ	Exalted Christ	\| v	(1:14-29) Jesus is the image of the invisible Godhead & creator of all
Christ & freedom	Christianity Exalted	\| v	(2:1-23) Traditions, legalism & law Jesus has nailed to His cross taken out way in whom we are complete
Saints living	Exalted Calling	Practical: What the Christian does through Christ	(3:1-4:6) Believers are dead, their life hid in Jesus, risen with Jesus & whatever we do in Jesus name
Closing	Conclusion Personal Remarks	\| v	(4:7-18) That you stand perfect & complete in the will of God

AUTHOR: Apostle Paul DATE: 61 AD FROM: Rome prison TO: Colosse church near Turkey

PURPOSE:

TEACH THE GOSPEL OF GOD THAT JESUS THE CHRIST RECEIVE THE SUPREMACY AS THE DIVINE SON OF GOD.

Colossians 1:13-15 "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: {14} In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: {15} Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:"

The two Epistles letters, Ephesians and Colossians, were written about the same time and are similar. Colossians was written to oppose the heresy false teachers of Greek philosophy using human wisdom of worshipping angels, legalism, & traditions. Colossians also emphasizes Christ as head of the church while Ephesians emphasizes a unity of the church as the body of Christ. This is in place of the gospel of God that Jesus the Christ receives the supremacy as the divine Son of God.

CHRIST PREEMINENCE IN WHOLE CREATION

JESUS EARTHLY GOVERNMENT	SAVED ONES RECONCILED	SAINTS WISDOM & KNOWLEDGE	SAINTS FAITH IN JESUS BAPTISM	SAVED ONES GODLY LIVING
Jesus visible image dwells full Godhead Colossians 1:15/19	Peace in Jesus blood of cross reconciles Colossians 1:20	Mystery hid reveals Christ in Gentiles Colossians 1:26-27	Flesh circumcision-> Christ circumcision Colossians 2:11	Jesus is our life and we are risen in Him Colossians 3:1-3
Jesus creator for all things for Himself Colossians 1:16	Alienated & enemies reconciled in Jesus Colossians 1:21	Teach/present saints perfect in Christ Colossians 1:28	Buried with Christ; raised with Christ Colossians 2:12	Put off old man of flesh sins->new man Colossians 3:8-10
Jesus before all & by Him they consist Colossians 1:17	Jesus body of flesh in death made holy Colossians 1:22	Knit in love together in Jesus is wisdom Colossians 2:2-3	Were dead in sins -> made alive with Him Colossians 2:13	Put on charity (love) bonds of perfection Colossians 3:14
Jesus is the head of His church on earth Colossians 1:18	Grounded & settled in hope of gospel Colossians 1:23	Philosophy, vain lies traditions for Christ Colossians 2:8	Remove legalism & ritualism for Christ Colossians 2:14-23	Whatever you do, all in name of Jesus Colossians 3:17

KEY SCRIPTURES:

1) God in control

2) Our part

Colossians 2:12 "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

Colossians 3:3 "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."

3) Frame of our mind: wisdom and understanding

Colossians 4:5 "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time."

KEY WORDS / LOCATIONS: [ love ] (1, 2, 3); [ faith ] (1, 2); [ walk ] (1, 2, 4); [ body ] (1, 2, 3); [ bond ] (3, 4); [ perfect ] (1, 4); [ mystery ] (1, 2, 4); [ wisdom ] (1, 2, 3, 4); [ knowledge ] (1, 2, 3, 4); [ understanding ] (1, 2); [ complete ] (2, 4)

HERESY PROBLEMS: Combining Judaism teachings with Gnostic system which is a syncretism.

1) Syncretism - Mix other philosophies/religions into Christianity just as is being done today in paganism (Christmas, Easter, etc.).

Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

2) Ceremonialism - Strict rules: religious foods, laws & festivals.

Colossians 2:16 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:"

3) Gnosticism - Matter is evil. Secret knowledge of the intellect by contact of angels: redeeming disciplines & meditating.

Colossians 2:18 "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,"

4) Asceticism - Human wisdom/self righteous as do not touch.

Colossians 2:21 "(Touch not; taste not; handle not;"

OUTLINE FOR COLOSSIANS:

I) INTRODUCTION: {COLOSSIANS 1:1 - 1:14}

A) SALUTATION/AUTHORSHIP: {COLOSSIANS 1:1 - 1:2}

B) GRATITUDE FOR THEIR FAITH IN ACTION: {COLOSSIANS 1:3 - 1:8}

C) PRAYER TO GOD, BY PAUL, FOR GROWTH & THANKS: {COLOSSIANS 1:9 - 1:14}

II) EXALTED CHRIST: {COLOSSIANS 1:15 - 1:29}

A) CHRIST CHARACTER: {COLOSSIANS 1:15 - 1:23}

B) CHRIST'S COMMISSION TO PAUL: {COLOSSIANS 1:24 - 1:29}

III) CHRISTIANITY EXALTED: {COLOSSIANS 2:1 - 2:23}

A) CHRISTIANITY EXALTED OVER PHILOSOPHY: {COLOSSIANS 2:1 - 2:10}

B) CHRISTIANITY EXALTED OVER LEGALISM: {COLOSSIANS 2:11 - 2:17}

C) CHRISTIANITY EXALTED OVER MYSTICAL TEACHING: {COLOSSIANS 2:18 - 2:19}

D) CHRISTIANITY EXALTED OVER ASCETICISM: {COLOSSIANS 2:20 - 2:23}

IV) EXALTED CALLING: {COLOSSIANS 3:1 - 4:6}

A) CERTAINTIES OF OUR CALLING: 3:1 - 3:4

B) CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR EVERYDAY CALLING: {COLOSSIANS 3:5 - 3:17}

C) CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR CALLING IN THE HOME: {COLOSSIANS 3:18 - 3:21}

D) CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR SERVANT MASTER: {COLOSSIANS 3:22 - 4:1}

E) CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR CALLING IN PRAYER: {COLOSSIANS 4:2 - 4:4}

F) CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR WITNESS & SPEECH CALLING: {COLOSSIAN 4:5 - 4:6}

V) CONCLUDING PERSONAL REMARKS: {COLOSSIANS 4:7 - 4:18}

LOCATED:

Colossi in New Testament times was a ancient Roman city in Phrygian and was the third largest city in Macedonia located in Northern Greece about 50 miles south of the city of Philadelphia. Laodicea was more modern and near to Colossi. It may have been visited by Paul on a fourth missionary journey. See Philemon 1:22 where Onesimus (Paul’s fellow laborer) was sent back to his master Philemon who as a run away slave may be punishable by death.

Colossians 2:1 "For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;"

Philemon 1:22 "But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you."

RELATED SCRIPTURES:

Acts 19:10-11 "And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. {11} And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:" Epaphras of Colosse was evangelized during these two years leading to the establishment of the church there. Onesimus (the slave of Philemon) delivered the letter to Colosse.

Colossians 4:16 "And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." Laodicea letter may be Ephesians.

COMPARISON OF EPHESIANS AND COLOSSIANS

COMPARISON	COLOSSIANS	EPHESIANS
Christ as God's Divine Son	Preeminence of Christ authority over His creation for Himself 1:16-17
Christ as head of the Church	Christ the head of the body the church 1:18	Christ the head of the church 1:22 Christian unity 1:13
Christians as part of Christ body	Complete in Christ 2:10; Unity 2:2	Christians are members of Christ earthly body 3:6/4:16
Mystery - Jews & Gentiles in Church	Mystery of Jews & Gentiles who now have Christ in them 1:26-27	Mystery unity of Jew & Gentile in Christ 3:4-6

I) INTRODUCTION: {COLOSSIANS 1:1 - 1:14}

A) SALUTATION/AUTHORSHIP: {COLOSSIANS 1:1 - 1:2}

WHO: PAUL & TIMOTHY TO WHOM: COLOSSIANS

Colossians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle of M Jesus M T Christ T by the will of /\ God /\, and Timotheus <our> brother,"

Paul: Saul: means asked for and Paul: means little or small. Paul is in Rome in prison and certainly needs the comfort and help of Onesimus, but he care for the church is of more importance. He does ask for pray and that a room be set aside from Philemon so that he could come to Philemon's home (verse 22). Paul had never been to Colosse.

Apostle: An Apostle is one sent by God, with power of attorney and authority, to act (with power) in place of sender. He was chosen and ordained to the position to be a witness of what God shows him.

See my paper: "Apostles" for more information on this subject.

Apostles started many churches and appointed Elders to the church.

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 "Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? {2} If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord."

2 Corinthians 12:12 "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Galatians 2:8 "(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)"

By the will of God:

Galatians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"

Hebrews 2:4 "God also bearing <them> witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?"

Timothy (Timotheus): Means worship of God. He was as a son to Paul. He was to carry on Paul's ministry after Paul departed. His father was a Greek and mother was a Jew (Acts 16:1). His mother was Eunice and grandmother was Lois, both of whom were Christians (2 Timothy 1:5). Paul's letter send with regards from Timothy include: 2 Corinthians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon 1 & Hebrews 13:23. Paul writes to Timothy in his 2 books. Paul addresses his ministry in 1 Corinthians 16:10 & 1 Timothy 4:11-4:16. His apostleship in 1 Thessalonians 1:1/2:6.

2 Timothy 1:4-6 "Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; {5} When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. {6} Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." Paul's last testament from prison is to his spiritual son

WHERE: COLOSSE

Colossians 1:2 "To the saints and faithful brethren in T Christ T which are at Colosse: Grace <be> unto you, and peace, from /\ God /\ our /\ Father /\ and the /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M T Christ T."

Saints: Sanctified one, set apart, by God, for His purpose.

Psalms 50:5 "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

Hebrews 10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once <for all>."

Colosse: 100 miles east of Ephesus and 50 miles south of Philadelphia in Asia minor (near turkey or Greece).

Grace: Getting what we do not deserve as compared with mercy: not getting what we deserve.

Peace: Hebrew word Shalom used for hello, good-bye & God bless you. Only God gives true peace to ones spirit of forgiveness & restoration.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Peace the opposite to anxiety, tranquility, & worry free.

God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: God is a triunity. God can not be divided. Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are the way the one God reveals himself. If one sees Jesus, he also sees the Father and the Holy Spirit at the same time since God can not be separated (Colossians 1:15). Jesus is both a perfect man and God.

Colossians 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

John 14:9-10 "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou <then>, Show us the Father? {10} Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."

B) GRATITUDE FOR THEIR FAITH IN ACTION: {COLOSSIANS 1:3 - 1:8}

Colossians 1:3 "We give thanks to /\ God /\ and the /\ Father /\ of our /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M T Christ T, praying always for you,"

Lord Jesus Christ:

See my paper: "Triunity" for more information on this subject.

Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Thanks is an important theme of Colossians. The Bible never thanks man for faith & love since God supplies them

Acts 10:36 "The word which <God> sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)"

Praying always for you: See Colossians 1:9-14 for his prayer.

2 Timothy 1:3 "I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;"

Colossians 1:4 "Since we heard of your [ faith ] in T Christ T M Jesus M, and of the [ love ]<which ye have> to all the saints," Faith, hope & love are shown in verses 4 & 5.

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KEY WORD: LOVE {COLOSSIANS 1:4-3:19}

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(1) Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, {Colossians 1:4}