colossians

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              Adult Class No. 2 – Cedar Park Church of Christ

                    A TEXTUAL STUDY OF THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS


IN THE SPACE BELOW WRITE AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS WHICH
INCLUDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLACE, AUTHOR, TIME AND PURPOSE OF WRITING,
(vv. 1-2)


CITY OF COLOSSAE – note maps of area and ISBE information.
“COLOSSAE, ko-los'e (Kolossai, Kolossai, "punishment"; AV Colosse): A city of Phrygia on the Lycus River,
one of the branches of the Macander, and 3 miles from Mt. Cadmus, 8,013 ft. high. It stood at the head of a
gorge where the two streams unite, and on the great highway traversing the country from Ephesus to the
Euphrates valley, 13 miles from Hierapolis and 10 from Laodicea. Its history is chiefly associated with that of
these two cities. Early, according to both Herodotus and Xenophon, it was a place of great importance. There
Xerxes stopped 481 BC (Herod. vii.30) and Cyrus the Younger marched 401 BC (Xen. Anab. i.2.6). From Col 2
1 it is not likely that Paul visited the place in person; but its Christianization was due to the efforts of Epaphras
and Timothy (Col 1 1.7), and it was the home of Philemon and Epaphras. That a church was established there
early is evident from Col 4 12.13; Rev 1 11; 3 14. As the neighboring cities, Hierapolis and Laodicea, increased
in importance, Colossae declined. There were many Jews living there, and a chief article of commerce, for
which the place was renowned, was the collossinus, a peculiar wool, probably of a purple color. In religion the
people were specially lax, worshipping angels. Of them, Michael was the chief, and the protecting saint of the
city. It is said that once he appeared to the people, saving the city in time of a flood. It was this belief in angels
which called forth Paul's epistle (Col 2 18). During the 7th and 8th cents. the place was overrun by the
Saracens; in the 12th cent. the church was destroyed by the Turks and the city disappeared. Its site was
explored by Mr. Hamilton. The ruins of the church, the stone foundation of a large theater, and a necropolis
with stones of a peculiar shape are still to be seen. During the Middle Ages the place bore the name of
Chonae; it is now called Chonas. E. J. BANKS (ISBE p. 676)”

COLOSSIANS – a “prison epistle.” Note Philemon 1,2, 23, 24; Eph. 6:21.
        What is meant by “prison” or “captivity” epistles? From Acts 21:1-ff, Paul had been rescued from a
beating by the Jews by Claudius Lysias, chief captain of the Roman guards in Jerusalem, and made a defense
before the Jews. Some 40 Jews took an oath that they would not eat until they had killed Paul. When word
came to Claudius Lysias by Paul’s nephew, he sent Paul to Caesarea for safety. It was there that Paul made
defenses before Felix, the governor, and then before Porcius Festus. When Porcius Festus wanted to show
the Jews favor, he asked Paul if he would go back to Jerusalem to make a defense. Paul knew that he would
be killed if he went back to Jerusalem so he said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat…” (25:10). That appeal
made it possible that Paul should go to Rome as God had assured Paul in comforting him when his defense
before the Jews enraged them (23:11). The rest of the book of Acts leads one through Paul’s defense also
before Agrippa and his journey to Rome.

        God’s providence is manifest in the way that the gospel was preached unto rulers like Felix and his wife
Drucilla, Festus, Agrippa and then before Caesar himself. Paul was God’s means of accomplishing that and
what was intended for his harm allowed him to preach before men who, otherwise, would not have given an
audience to the gospel. The gospel is for all men – rich and poor, lowly and exalted, of all races.
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        While Paul was in prison in Rome, waiting for the opportunity to make his defense before Caesar, he
had opportunity to write the “prison epistles” – Ephesians (6:20), Philippians (4:22), Colossians (4:18) and
Philemon (1,2, 10, 23, 24). It is generally thought that 1 Timothy and Titus were written at almost the same
time and shortly after Paul was released from prison, since there was really no justifiable charge against him
(note Acts 26:32, so Agrippa affirmed his innocence). It is also thought that 2 Timothy was written after a brief
release from prison and then being imprisoned again. In Rome, during Paul’s first imprisonment, he was
accompanied periodically by such men as Tychicus (Eph. 6:21), Epaphras (Col. 1:7; 4:12; Philemon 23),
Onesimus (Col. 4:9; Philemon 1:10); Timothy (Phil. 2:19; Col. 1:2), Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke
(Philemon 24). These men were not with Paul all the time and several of them served as carriers of
information from churches to Paul and/or epistles to the churches (Phil. 2:19 – Timothy; Eph. 6:21 – Tychicus
Col. 4:7; Epaphras – Col. 4:12; et al)

DATE:
       Since Colossians is identified with the time that Paul was in prison, it would be written about the same
time as Ephesians and Philemon – as early as AD 58 or possibly AD 63.

PURPOSE OF WRITING:
        Each NT book has a purpose behind its writing. Understanding why a book was written is essential to
comprehending the book itself. It would be a fair assessment here that Epaphras had gone to Paul in Rome
and had conveyed to him some teachings that were a threat to the well being of the Christians at Colossae
(note again Col. 1:7; 4:12-13). The epistle to the Colossians addresses two kinds of errors as Paul magnifies
Christ as the fullness of God.

       The first dangerous threat of error was that which was common among many churches in the first
century. It began as early as Acts 15 when Paul was in Antioch of Syria. It was dealt with decisively by Paul
and the other apostles and elders in Jerusalem. The binding of the laws of Moses on Gentile Christians so as
to make the gospel a conglomeration of the Old Law and the New was called by Paul “another gospel” (that is,
another of a different kind) (Gal. 1:6-8). Paul deals with that error in Col. 2:14-ff.

       Another threat of false teaching was hinted at by Paul, though it was specifically named, in ch. 2:18. It
was commonly known as “asceticism” – a religious system postulating that one could reach a higher plane by
rigorous self-denial and self-discipline that also believed in intermediate spirits and angel worship. Such a
system of faith necessarily attacked the preeminence of Christ. Hence, the theme of the book is best seen as
“The preeminence of Christ as the fullness of God.”

        And that raises a question about how important right doctrine is. True teaching is the foundation of who
and what we are. Our faith is based on all that Christ is. Error, not only takes issue with truth, but it always
has its consequences in behavior. Rarely, does one embrace some error without it affecting him morally. If
Christ is preeminent in our thinking, it makes a big difference in the way we live. Eastern mysticism has not
invaded our country without a price. Humanism’s deification of man as it rejects God’s sovereignty has eroded
the moral fiber of our culture. And militant Islamics have acted in harmony with their false beliefs that has
impacted our lives in a way we never thought possible.

    THE FOLLOWING IS A SIMPLE WAY TO DIVIDE THE BOOK SO THE
BROAD VIEW CAN BE KEPT IN MIND:
DOCTRINE – CHRIST’S PREEMIENCE DECLARED –- CHAPTER ONE
DANGER – CHRIST’S PREEMIENCE DEFENDED – CHAPTER TWO
DUTY – CHRIST’S PREEMIENCE DEMONSTRATED – CHAPTERS THREE AND FOUR
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               COLOSSIANS 1:3-14 -- A PRAYER FOR THE COLOSSIANS
DEFINE THESE WORDS:

1. Thanks –

2. Hope -

3. Fellowservant –

4. Pray -

5. Worthy –

6. Translated –

7. Redemption -


ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. For what did Paul give thanks?


2. For what was he praying?


3. What had been expressed by the Colossians to the saints?


4. Where is hope laid up?


5. What had Epaphras done for them?


6. What had he declared to Paul?


7. What desire was expressed by Paul in his prayer for them?


8. From what are we delivered?


9. Into what are we translated?


10. How does Paul explain "redemption" in v. 14?
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     COLOSSIANS 1:14-23 -- THE PREEMINENCE AND GLORY OF CHRIST IN ALL
                                   THINGS.

DEFINE THESE WORDS:

1. Image -

2. Firstborn -

3. Thrones -

4. Dominions -

5. Principalities -

6. Powers -

7. Consist -

8. Beginning (v. 18) -

9. Preeminence -

10. Reconcile -

11. Alienated -

12. Unblamable -

13. Unreproveable -

14. Grounded -

15. Settled -

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. Christ is referred to as "the firstborn of every creature." Does this mean that he was the "first created?"
   Explain your answer.




2.   What things were created by Christ? Explain the extensiveness of the "all things" which were created by
     him.
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                                       (CONTINUATION OF 1:14-23)

3. What does the statement, "by him all things consist." mean?




4. Explain the phrase, "who is the beginning."




5. What does "firstborn from the dead" mean?




6. Why does Paul write all these descriptions about Christ?




7. What dwells in Christ?



8. What made peace possible?



9. What was Christ's death designed to do? (v. 22)



10. What are the "if" conditions, in order for us to be acceptable in God's sight?



11. How extensively had the gospel been preached at the time that Paul writes this epistle?
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                COLOSSIANS 1:24-2:7 -- CHRIST, THE MYSTERY OF GOD AND
                      TREASURY OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE.

DEFINE THESE WORDS:

1. Behind -

2. Dispensation -

3. Mystery -

4. Perfect -

5. Conflict -

6. Wisdom -

7. Knowledge -

8. Stedfastness -

9. Rooted -

10. Thanksgiving -

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. How did Paul fill up that which was behind...?




2. What is Christ's body?




3. What was the mystery which had been hidden from ages past?




4. What was Paul's intent in preaching Christ?
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                                   (CONTINUATION OF 1:24-2:7)

5. What was Paul's desire for those who had not seen his face in the flesh?




6. What was hidden in God and Christ?




7. What can enticing words do?




8. How was Paul with them?




9. What had Paul beheld about them?




10. What does the expression "rooted and built up" signify?
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        COLOSSIANS 2:8-3:4 -- CHRIST -- THE FULLNESS OF GODHOOD AND
                    COMPLETENESS FOR THE CHRISTIAN

DEFINE THESE WORDS:

1. Spoil -

2. Philosophy -

3. Vain deceit -

4. Rudiments -

5. Godhead -

6. Bodily -

7. Fullness

8. Complete -

9. Handwriting of ordinances -

10. Beguile -

11. Will worship -

12. Affections -

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. Explain what is meant by "spoil you."



2. By what can man "spoil you?"



3. Explain what is meant by the expression "in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Is Christ
   deficient in any way, when it comes to his deity?




4.   Since Christ is completely divine, and we are in Him, is there any area in which we are deficient?
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                                        (CONTINUATION OF 2:8-3:4)


5. Are we circumcised? With what kind of circumcision?




6. Is this circumcision baptism? Explain your answer carefully, for if circumcision is baptism. then baptism is
   parallel to the O.T. circumcision which was a sign of the covenant and that would make baptism a sign of
   our covenant. The consequence of that for the paedobaptist is the authority for baptizing infants, since
   infants were circumcised under the O.T.




7. What is the significance of baptism being a "burial?"




8. What is another way by which Paul describes our being quickened together with him?




9. What did Christ nail to the cross?




10. What did Jesus spoil?



11. In what are we not to be judged?



12. How were these things a "shadow" of things to come?



13. Of what kind of humility does Paul speak in v. 18?
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                                      (CONTINUATION OF 2:8-3:4)

14. What does he mean by "not holding the Head"?




15. Of what "ordinances" does Paul speak? What are these? Compare the same word in Ephesians 2.




16. Of what do they have a show?




17. If we be risen with Christ, what should we seek?




18. On what are we to set our affections?




19. When shall we appear with Christ in glory?
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      COLOSSIANS 3:5-4:6 -- THE CHRISTIANS CHARACTER AND BEHAVIOR
                                 IN CHRIST
DEFINE THESE WORDS:

1. Mortify -

2. Uncleanness -

3. Inordinate affection -

4. Evil concupiscence -

5. Covetousness -

6. Filthy communication -

7. Longsuffering -

8. Forbearing -

9. Charity -

10. Peace -

11. Richly -

12. Bitter -

13. Heartily -

14. Grace -

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. What things are we to mortify?




2. Why does the wrath of God come on the children of disobedience?




3. What does it mean to "walk in those things?" (v. 7).
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                                       (CONTINUATION OF 3:5-4:61

4. Why should we not lie to one another?




5. How is the new man renewed?




6. What are we to put on?



7. How are we to solve any complaint (quarrel, (KJV) against us?




8. What is the bond of perfectness?




9. To what were we called in one body?




10. Why does Paul say to be thankful?



11. To what degree should we let the word dwell in us?



12. How are we to teach and admonish one another?




13. What does it mean to do all "in the name of the Lord?"




14. What does it mean for wives to submit themselves "as it is fit in the Lord?"
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                                        (CONTINUATION OF 3:6-4:62


15. What will cause husbands not to be bitter toward their wives?




16. Is Paul not violating "childrens' rights" by requiring them to be obedient to their parents? Do not children
    have the right to do what they want?




17. How do Fathers provoke their children to anger?




18. What does "not with eyeservice" mean?




19. What does "as to the Lord, and not unto men" mean?




20. In all relationships, whom do we really serve?




21. What will the wrongdoer receive?




22. With what awareness in mind should masters give to their servants?




23. Why is it important to continue in prayer with thanksgiving?
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                                       (CONTINUATION OF 3:5-4:6)


24. Specifically, for what does Paul request their prayers?




25. How are we to walk toward them that are without?




26. What does "redeeming the time" mean? How do you do that?




27. How is one's speech seasoned with salt?




28. What does this allow us to do?
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                COLOSSIANS 4:7-18 -- PERSONAL AFFAIRS, SALUTATION

DEFINE THESE WORDS:

1. State -

2. Church -

3. Ministry -

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. Who would make know Paul's state?



2. Why had Paul sent him to Colosse?




3. In what other epistle do you find Onesimus mentioned?




4. For what reason did Epaphras always labor in prayers for them?




5. What does the expression "the church which is in his house" mean?




6. With what other congregation was there to be an exchange of epistles? What has happened to the epistle
   written to the Laodiceans? Is it a lost book of the Bible?




7. What admonition did Paul. send to Archippus?
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              SECOND ADULT CLASS
              BOOK OF COLOSSIANS
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