The church at Colossae started when Epaphras returned there from Ephesus, where he had heard Paul teach. While Paul was in prison in Rome, Epaphras visited him and informed him of some teachings that were coming into the church. Some think these teachings were an early form of Gnosticsm mixed with Jewish mysticism. It involved the worship of angels as mediators for God, and it denied the deity of Christ. Paul responded with a careful explanation of the deity of Christ and His rule over all creation. He taught the true Christian life over and against the false teachings of legalism, mysticism, and asceticism.
Simple Outline
1 The Mystery of Christ and His Salvation
2 The Errors of Gnosticism, Legalism, Mysticism, and Asceticism
3 Living the Christian Life
4 Ministry Update
Chapter Notes
01) Paul commended their faith in the truth and grace of the gospel. He explained that Jesus gave us redemption/forgiveness through His blood. His sacrifice was sufficient because He is God in the flesh. He explained that his personal sufferings were part of the sufferings of Christ, and he rejoiced in them because God was bringing salvation to the Gentiles.
02) False teachers in Laodocia, a town nine miles from Colossae, were claiming they knew the mystery of God. But Paul taught that the mystery of God is understood in Christ. He urged steadfast faith in Christ. He warned them to avoid the deceits often taught through philosophy. He then warns against those who were requiring Christians to carry on with some of the practices of Judaism. But all those practices (circumcision, sabbaths, dietary laws) were fulfilled by Christ. These practices were a preparation for Christ. But now Christ is the substance of our salvation.
03) Paul moves on to the life of faith in Christ. When a Christian repents and receives forgiveness, he continues to put sinful desires to death with repentance and faith. He also puts on new virtues, especially love. Christians continue living in the richness of God’s word centered in Christ leading to worship and good works. Paul briefly applies this to different callings in life: spouses, children, parents, servants, and masters. He continues on into chapter four with an encouragement to prayer and living in wisdom.
04) Tychicus, who carried this letter and the letters to the Ephesians and to Philemon, brought further updates. Onesimus, the servant of Philemon was with him. Paul shared greetings from his other helpers (Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Nymphas, and Archippus). This shows how Paul’s ministry was personal and relational. He ends by writing the last verse with his own hand as a signature.