Paul's letter to the Colossian church is a mere four chapters in our Bible. Yet out of those four brief chapters some of the greatest teaching in all of Christianity has arisen. After I completed a year long effort to memorize and commentate on the letter of James, God turned my heart on Paul's letter to the church at Colossae. Admittedly, I've been tip toeing around this letter for some time now. I can't truly say why. Perhaps it has just been simple apathy. Whatever the case, I can no longer ignore the calling to memorize and preach about the words of this powerful letter. So here, today, I begin with some introductory thoughts about this letter.
Background Inromation About the Colossian Letter:
Colossae , which no longer stands today, was a city in Asia Minor (modern day Anatolia, Turkey). Scholars generally agree that this letter was written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome although some dispute the location of Paul's imprisonment when he wrote this letter. What is widely accepted is that Paul wrote this letter from prison. The exact date ranges depending on which course of scholarship you're reading. In general, historians date this letter anywhere between 57 AD to 62 AD. You will also hear arguments about the authorship of this letter. Some do not believe that this letter was written by Paul. This is, of course, somewhat ridiculous. Many important early church figures can historically verify that Paul was in fact the author of this letter. Of course, it does help somewhat that Paul announces himself as the author of this letter. He may have had some help in the authoring of this letter. After all, he does announce that this letter is from himself and Timothy. The themes in Colossians are not unique. Paul pounds home many of the same points throughout all of his letters. I find it both amazing and somewhat assanine that scholars have the gaul to say, "Well Paul never used this Greek word or that Greek word in any of his other letters...must not be him." Don't get distracted by such foolish arguments. Paul is, without doubt, the author of this letter.
The church at Colossae seems to have been a good church. In the first half of chapter 1 Paul praises the church for their qualities as a unified body of believers.
(1) They trust in Christ and love all God's people
(2) Their minds are set in a "kingdom" based mentality
(3) Paul re-emphasizes how the Holy Spirit has given the church at Coloassae a great love for others.
Paul had never personally been to the Colossian church. He knew of their struggles and their triumphs through a fellow worker of Christ named Epaphras. Epaphras was the one responsible for planting the Colossian church. Paul is writing to the Colossian church to affirm and encourage them as well as to exhort them in certain matters. One of Paul's largest concerns for the Colossian church seems to have been the influence of outside criticism and false doctrines that were looming all around them. Such examples are:
(1) Saving grace is achieved through a righteousness of works
(2) Angels are to be worshiped
(3) Jesus could not have been fully human and fully divine
(4) Trust only those who have been given "special revelation"
(5) The strength of human wisdom and knowledge can be reliably leaned on for all understanding
(6) There is no true immorality
These examples are but a mere spattering of the things that the Colossian church was facing down. To counteract this Paul re-inforces the foundation of Christ as God, Christ as head of the Church, and Christ as the Sovereign authority over all things.
Where Will Colossians Take Us
Colossians is almost unimaginably impacting. The preeiminence of Christ is so powerfully on display here that it really does take your breath away. There is much hard teaching here. Be prepared to encounter great challenge as you consider this letter. Be prepared to have your perspective of God's glory widened. Be prepared to come to grips with the full extent of our sinful nature. Be prepared to have your mind stretched. I believe that Colossians will inspire you to worship. I believe it will enhance your understanding of the need for steadfastness, prayer, servantship, and discipleship within your own life. God has glorified himself with such great majesty in this letter that it is almost too much to take in. Study this letter. Store it in your heart. It will change the way you live your life.
May God receive all glory by what is to follow.
Colossians is a power-packed book, and one of my favorites in the New Testament. Can you see a future Oasis teaching series on these (false teachings) topics, with Colossians being the central text to refute them?
(1) Saving grace is achieved through a righteousness of works
(2) Angels are to be worshiped
(3) Jesus could not have been fully human and fully divine
(4) Trust only those who have been given "special revelation"
(5) The strength of human wisdom and knowledge can be reliably leaned on for all understanding
(6) There is no true immorality
Good stuff Chad. I look forward to how God speaks to you in this study.
Posted by: chris | March 25, 2008 at 11:21 AM