Kress Biblical Resources :: Introductory Matters

Introductory Matters of Colossians

Completeness in Christ Guards Against the Counterfeits of Mysticism, Legalism, and Traditionalism

1. The writer (Col 1:1)
   1. The human author
      1. Paul¹
      2. In association with Timothy²
   2. The Divine author
2. The recipients (Col 1:2a; cf. Col 1:7; Col 2:1; Col 4:12)
   1. The original recipients
      1. Their position in Christ
         1. Set apart in Christ
         2. Faithful in Christ
         3. Brothers in Christ
      2. Their place of residence
   2. The current recipients (2Ti 3:16-17; 2Pe 3:15-16)
3. The reasons
   1. Confirmation: To confirm care for the Colossian believers, and assured them of their standing in Christ (Col 1:2-12, 24-29; Col 2:1-5)
   2. Refutation: To refute the error of integrating human wisdom/philosophy with Christianity (Col 2:2-4, 8-23)
      1. Philosophy/so-called knowledge (Col 2:2-4, 8)
      2. Traditional legalism (Col 2:11-17)
      3. Mysticism (Col 2:18-19)
      4. Self-made legalism/asceticism (Col 2:20-23)
   3. Exhortation: To exhort the Colossians to live in light of the supremacy and sufficiency in Christ (Col 2:6-7; Col 3:1-4:6)
   4. Information: To inform the Colossians about Paul’s situation, his fellow-workers, and even another epistle (Col 4:7-18)
   5. Summation/Summary purpose: To exalt the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ and thus believers are complete in Christ (Col 1:13-23, 28-29; Col 2:2-3, 8-10; Col 3:3-4, 11c)
      1. He is Savior (Col 1:14, 20-22; Col 2:11-15)
      2. He is Supreme (Col 1:15b, 17-18; Col 2:10, 19; Col 3:1)
      3. He is Creator (Col 1:16)
      4. He is God (Col 1:15a, 16, 19; Col 2:9)
      5. He is life and all the believer needs (Col 2:9-10; Col 3:3-4, 11)

¹For a biblical biography of the Apostle Paul see Act 7:58; Act 8:1; Act 9:1-30; Act 11:25-30; Act 12:25-28:31; 1Co 15:30-32; 2Co 6:4-5; 2Co 11:23-30; Gal 1:13-2:16; Phl 3:4-14; 2Th 3:8.

²For a biblical biography of Timothy see Act 16:1; Act 17:14-15; Act 18:5; 1Co 4:17; 1Co 16:10; Phl 2:19-23; 1Th 3:2, 6; 1Ti 1:2; 1Ti 5:23; Heb 13:23.