STUDY NOTES ON COLOSSIANS by Mark Strout (Originally published as part of the Word of Life Quiet Time)
Introduction to Colossians Have you ever felt totally inadequate to handle some assignment at school or at your job? Or maybe it’s some issue involving family members or friends that has you feeling overwhelmed. How about your relationship with a perfect, holy God? Do you feel up to the challenge of being all that you should be in order for Him to accept you and to be pleased with you? No doubt there are some readers who would answer with a resounding “Yes!” Most of us would likely express some concern or even dismay if we were totally transparent. In either case, the book of Colossians is an essential epistle for the growing believer. It presents the liberating truth that Jesus Christ is our complete and only sufficiency before the Father. For those who feel adequate, it will challenge their self-sufficiency. For those who feel inadequate, it will affirm their all-sufficiency in Christ and Christ alone. Historical setting Paul wrote this epistle around the year A.D. 61 on the occasion of his first Roman imprisonment (4:3,10,18). During this time, he was permitted to stay by himself with a Roman guard in his own rented quarters. Never one to waste an opportunity just because of a bad turn of circumstances, Paul continued to receive guests and carry on his teaching ministry (Acts 28:16-31). This is a great example to any who may be tempted to look for excuses not to persevere in the work God has given them to do! The city of Colossae had been built on a major trade route which ran through the Lycus river valley in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). However, it had lost much of its prominence in favor of Laodicea and Hierapolis, two other cities located in the Lycus valley. This was largely due to the fact that the main road had been rerouted to pass through Laodicea. Recent earthquakes in the area may also have contributed to Colossae’s decline and it eventually went out of existence in the fifth century. Though Paul had never been to Colossae, he knew Epaphras the probable founder of the church there (1:7; 4:12-13). These believers were likely a result of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, located about one hundred miles to the west, since we are told that the gospel had spread throughout all Asia during Paul’s two-year ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:10). Paul mentions the fact that he had heard of their faith (1:4, 9) which must have been very encouraging to him! It’s a reminder that no one knows just how far the impact of their ministry will extend! Theme The primary theme of Paul’s epistle to the Colossians is the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ and the total sufficiency of His death and resurrection to provide for our salvation and sanctification. Apparently, the Christians at Colossae were in danger of embracing false teaching which some believe may have been an early form of Gnosticism, one of the most dangerous heresies to arise in the early Church, reaching its peak in the second century. Gnosticism comes from the Greek word “gnosis” which means “knowledge.” We see it in the English word “agnostic.” In Greek, the letter “a” can be used for the negative (like the “un” in “unknown.”). Thus, the term “agnostic” refers to someone who does not believe that anything can be known about the existence or nature of God, if there is one! Gnostics taught that spiritual perfection was attained by means of special, mystical knowledge beyond that which could be found in Jesus Christ. It was a religion of special knowledge that saves rather than of simple faith that saves. Gnostics claimed access to obscure spiritual knowledge reserved
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