The SurroundingsThe SurroundingsThe SimilaritiesThe SimilaritiesThe SituationThe SituationThe StructureThe Structure

The SignificanceThe Significance

The The SurroundingsSurroundings

Tri-CitiesTri-Cities• To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ

who are at Colossae (1:2b)• For I want you to know how great a struggle I

have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face (2:1)

• For I testify for him [Epaphras] that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. (4:13)

Tri-CitiesTri-Cities• When this letter is read among you, have it

also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. (4:16)

© Charlie Ray

The Tri-Cities and EphesusThe Tri-Cities and EphesusActs 18:23; 19:1

The The SimilaritiesSimilarities

Colossians IntroductionColossians Introduction

• Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

• To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae:

• Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Philemon IntroductionPhilemon Introduction

• Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother:

• To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home.

• Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians ClosingColossians ClosingAs to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. (4:7-18)

Colossians PhilemonColossians Philemon• Timothy• Tychicus• Onesimus• Aristarchus• Mark• Justus• Epaphras• Luke• Demas• Nympha• Archippus

• Timothy• Philemon• Appia• Archippus• Onesimus• Epaphras• Mark• Aristarchus• Demas• Luke

© Charlie Ray

Eph 6:21-2Eph 6:21-2 Col 4:7-8 Col 4:7-8

Tychicus, our dearly loved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts. (HCSB)

Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts. (HCSB)

Eph 2:1, 5-6a Col 2:13, 12Eph 2:1, 5-6a Col 2:13, 12

• And you being dead in your trespasses and sins

• we being dead in trespasses He made us alive with the Messiah. You are saved by grace! And He raised us up together

• And you being dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses.

• He raised us up together

Rulers and AuthoritiesRulers and Authorities• Eph. 1:21 far above all

rule & authority and power & dominion

• Eph. 3:10 to the rulers & the authorities in the heavenly places

• Eph. 6:12 but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness

• Col 1:16 whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities

• Col 2:10 He is the head over all rule & authority

• Col 2:15 When He had disarmed the rulers & authorities

Household CodeHousehold Code• Eph. 5:21-6:9–Wives (40 words)–Husbands (152

words)–Children (35

words)– Fathers (16

words)– Slaves (59 words)–Masters (28)

• Col. 3:18-4:1–Wives (9 words)–Husbands (10

words)–Children (13

words)– Fathers (10

words)– Slaves (56 words)–Masters (18

words)

The The SituationSituation

•Herodotus (Herodotus (BC 480BC 480))–““Great city of Phyrgia”Great city of Phyrgia”

• Strabo (Strabo (mid-first century ADmid-first century AD))–““Small town”Small town”

The Tri-Cities and EphesusThe Tri-Cities and EphesusActs 18:23; 19:1

© Charlie Ray

© Charlie Ray

© Charlie Ray

© Charlie Ray

© Charlie Ray

DemographicsDemographics• Jewish population in tri-city area–11,000-14,000 adult Jewish males

ReligionsReligions• Polytheism (coins from Colossae)–Isis, Mithras, Demeter, Helios, Selene

(moon), Artemis, Men (Phrygian deity)

• Gnosticism• Mystery Religions• Judaism• Christianity

ReligionsReligions• Superstition & Syncritism• Theology–Dualistic–Pyramid with Pure Spirit @ top–Legalism vs Libertinism–Matures in the 2nd century

Local ChurchLocal Church• Epaphras (4:12-13)• Archippus (4:17)• Nympha (4:15)• Paul

Occasion for the LetterOccasion for the Letter• Epaphras sought out Paul– For this reason also, since the day we heard, we

have not ceased to pray for you (1:9 NASB)

• Onesimus found Paul– I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I

have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel (Phlm 10-13 NASB)

Purpose of the LetterPurpose of the Letter• PrayerPrayer– . . . ask that you may be filled with the

knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (1:9-10)

• Presenting Every ManPresenting Every Man–We proclaim Him, admonishing every man

and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. (1:28)

• Intro to OppositionIntro to Opposition– Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus

the Lord, so walk in Him (2:6)

OppositionOpposition• See to it that no one takes you captive

through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world (2:8)

• Circumcision (2:11)

OppositionOpposition• Therefore no one is to act as your judge in

regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day (2:16)

• Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, (2:18)

OppositionOpposition• “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”

(which all refer to things destined to perish with use) — in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? (2:21-22)

• These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. (2:23)

Opposition: SummaryOpposition: Summary

• Beware that no one take you captive (2:8)• Let no one judge you (2:16)• Let no one rob you (2:18)

• The content of the opposition is similar to Galatians but the tone of the letter is definitely different.

• Positive Description–Your love in the Spirit (1:8)–rejoicing to see your good

discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. (2:5)

Summary of Summary of Opposition TheoriesOpposition Theories• At least 40 different reconstructions–No two are exactly alike

• Usually focuses on two elements–Gnosticism and/or mystery religions

• Definitely a Jewish element

The The StructureStructure

Consult handout on 1st century epistle structure

The The SignificanceSignificance

Answer to the Answer to the ProblemProblem

• Jesus–Christ Hymn (1:13-21)–Elemental spirits (2:9-15)

Key PassagesKey Passages• High Christology in 1:15-20• Completing the sufferings of

Christ, 1:24-29• Soteriology in 2:9-15• Christ-centered exegesis, 2:16-17

• Living a Christian life, 3:15-18• Devoted to prayer, 4:2-6• Fulfill your ministry, 4:17

ApplicationApplication

•1:1-3:4—6 imperatives

•3:5-4:6—18 imperatives

BeginningBeginning (1:1-12)(1:1-12)

- - PrescriptPrescript (1:1-8)(1:1-8)

I. Salutation I. Salutation (1:1-2)(1:1-2)

II. II. Thank GodThank God (1:3-8)(1:3-8) A. Reasons -- because ofA. Reasons -- because of 1. Development of God’s character1. Development of God’s character

a. Your a. Your faithfaith (v 4)(v 4) b. Your b. Your lovelove (v 4)(v 4) c. Your c. Your hopehope (v 5)(v 5)

- - ProoimionProoimion (1:9-12)(1:9-12)

III. Pray III. Pray (1:9-11) … that you may(1:9-11) … that you may A. be filled with knowledge of A. be filled with knowledge of God’s willGod’s will (v 9)(v 9) B. live a lifeB. live a life worthyworthy of the Lord (v 10)of the Lord (v 10) 1. 1. bear fruitbear fruit (v 10)(v 10) 2. grow in 2. grow in knowledgeknowledge (v 10)(v 10) 3. Be strengthened with 3. Be strengthened with powerpower (v 11)(v 11)

BodyBody (1:13-4:6)(1:13-4:6)

A Hymn to Christ A Hymn to Christ (1:13-20)(1:13-20)

I. Intro: The Father’s Work I. Intro: The Father’s Work (v 13)(v 13) A. A. RescuedRescued us from us from darknessdarkness (v 13)(v 13) B. B. BroughtBrought us into the us into the KingdomKingdom (v 13)(v 13)

II. Stanza: Christ & creationII. Stanza: Christ & creation (vv 15-16) (vv 15-16) A. His identity (v 15)A. His identity (v 15)

1. 1. ImageImage of invisible Godof invisible God 2. 2. ”Firstborn””Firstborn” of of creationcreation

B. His work: He B. His work: He createscreates “all things” (v 16)“all things” (v 16)

III. Interlude III. Interlude (v 18a)(v 18a)

IV. Stanza: Christ & IV. Stanza: Christ & newnew creationcreation A. His identity (v 18b)A. His identity (v 18b)

1. the 1. the BeginningBeginning 2. the 2. the “Firstborn”“Firstborn” from the from the dead dead

B. His work: He B. His work: He reconcilesreconciles “all things” (v 20)“all things” (v 20)

V. ConclusionV. Conclusion (vv 21-23) (vv 21-23) A. Application (v 21)A. Application (v 21) B. Contrast (vv 21-22)B. Contrast (vv 21-22)

1. past 1. past alienationalienation 2. present 2. present reconciliationreconciliation

Proclaiming Christ Proclaiming Christ (1:24-2:5)(1:24-2:5)Epistolary Epistolary RejoiceRejoice && DisclosureDisclosure FormulasFormulas

I. Proclamation Requires SufferingI. Proclamation Requires Suffering A. For ChristA. For Christ B. For His Church - to present …B. For His Church - to present … 1. the 1. the Word in ChristWord in Christ & … & … 2. the 2. the people in Christpeople in Christ in in fullnessfullness

Living in Christ Living in Christ (2:6-3:17)(2:6-3:17)

I. Step out in Christ by … I. Step out in Christ by … (2:6-7)(2:6-7) A. being A. being rootedrooted && built upbuilt up in Jesus (v 7)in Jesus (v 7) B. being B. being strengthenedstrengthened in the faith (v 7) in the faith (v 7) C. overflowing with C. overflowing with thanksgivingthanksgiving (v 7)(v 7)

- - CatechesisCatechesis (what to believe; 2:9-19)(what to believe; 2:9-19)

II. Do not be taken captive II. Do not be taken captive (2:8)(2:8) A. Dangers to avoidA. Dangers to avoid

1. vain 1. vain philosophiesphilosophies 2. 2. human traditionshuman traditions 3. the 3. the elementselements ofof this worldthis world

B. Truths to Remember (2:11-15)B. Truths to Remember (2:11-15) 1. Your identity in Christ (2:11-12)1. Your identity in Christ (2:11-12)

a. a. circumcisedcircumcised with Christwith Christ b. b. raisedraised with Christwith Christ 2. The work of Christ (2:13-15)2. The work of Christ (2:13-15) a. made you a. made you alivealive with Himwith Him 1. by forgiving your trespasses 1. by forgiving your trespasses 2. took the 2. took the lawlaw out of the wayout of the way 3. made a 3. made a public spectaclepublic spectacle of of

principalitiesprincipalities

III. Avoid Judaism shadowsIII. Avoid Judaism shadowsIV. Avoid Gnostic deceptions IV. Avoid Gnostic deceptions

- ParanesisParanesis (how to behave; 2:20-4:6) (how to behave; 2:20-4:6)Virtue & Vice Lists (2:20-3:17)Virtue & Vice Lists (2:20-3:17)

III. Dying & Rising w/Christ III. Dying & Rising w/Christ (2:20-3:17)(2:20-3:17) A. The Meaning (2:20-23; 3:1-4)A. The Meaning (2:20-23; 3:1-4) B. The Significance (3:5-17) B. The Significance (3:5-17)

1. 1. “put to death”“put to death” certain vices (3:5-7)certain vices (3:5-7) 2. 2. “put off”“put off” certain verbalizations (3:8-11)certain verbalizations (3:8-11)

3. 3. “put on”“put on” certain virtues (3:12-15)certain virtues (3:12-15) 4. let the 4. let the Word of GodWord of God dwell in you (3:16-dwell in you (3:16-

17)17) i. byi. by teachingteaching ii. by ii. by admonishingadmonishing iii. by iii. by singingsinging iv. by iv. by giving thanksgiving thanks

Household Codes (3:18-4:1)Household Codes (3:18-4:1)

I. Wives & Husbands I. Wives & Husbands (3:18-19)(3:18-19) A. A. Vocative Vocative B. B. ImperativeImperative (cf w/Eph 5:21-22) (cf w/Eph 5:21-22)

1. wives (1. wives (truetrue of ALL household codes)of ALL household codes) 2. husbands (2. husbands (unlikeunlike other household other household

codes)codes)

II. Children & ParentsII. Children & Parents (3:20-21) (3:20-21)A. VocativeA. VocativeB. ImperativeB. Imperative

III. Employees & EmployersIII. Employees & Employers (3:22-4:1)(3:22-4:1)A. VocativeA. VocativeB. ImperativeB. Imperative

C. Each ends with “knowing that” (3:24; 4:1)C. Each ends with “knowing that” (3:24; 4:1) i. Employees i. Employees a. a. PromisePromise: you will receive Lord’s reward: you will receive Lord’s reward b. b. WarningWarning: consequences for doing wrong: consequences for doing wrong ii. Employers: you have a Boss in heavenii. Employers: you have a Boss in heaven

IV. More Household CodesIV. More Household Codes (4:2-6) (4:2-6)A. Missionary Outreach (4:2-4)A. Missionary Outreach (4:2-4) i. i. ActionsActions (v 2) (v 2) ii. ii. PurposesPurposes: so that … (vv 3-4): so that … (vv 3-4)

a. God will open a door for His Worda. God will open a door for His Wordb. He will make God’s Word b. He will make God’s Word clearclear

B. Relational Outreach (4:5-6)B. Relational Outreach (4:5-6) i. i. ActionsActions (vv 5-6a) ii. (vv 5-6a) ii. PurposePurpose (v 6b)(v 6b)

ConclusionConclusion (4:7-18)(4:7-18)

News & Greetings News & Greetings (4:7-18)(4:7-18)

I. Epilogue: News I. Epilogue: News (vv 7-9)(vv 7-9)

II. Postscript II. Postscript (vv 10-18)(vv 10-18) A. A. GreetingsGreetings (vv 10-15)(vv 10-15) B. B. Final InstructionsFinal Instructions: church/ministry (vv 16-17): church/ministry (vv 16-17)

i. Read Paul’s letters (v 16)i. Read Paul’s letters (v 16) ii. Exhort fellow Christ-follower (v 17)ii. Exhort fellow Christ-follower (v 17) a. a. Take heedTake heed to your ministryto your ministry b. b. FulfillFulfill your ministryyour ministry

C. Final authentication & request (v 18)C. Final authentication & request (v 18) i. Note i. Note personal handwrittenpersonal handwritten greetinggreeting ii. Remember those ii. Remember those imprisonedimprisoned and and

suffering suffering for Jesusfor Jesus iii. Blessing of God’s iii. Blessing of God’s gracegrace

““Jesus Jesus ISIS Above All”Above All”

© 2013, Dennis L. Phelps