Christocentric: Christ in Colossians | Purpose (Part 1)

The purpose of the book of Colossians is the refutation of the so-called “Colossian Heresy.”

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what this heresy entails since the only record we have is Paul’s refutation of it. So, we’re going to deduce what “Colossian Heresy” was all about by looking at how Paul combats it.

This heresy seems targeted on downplaying the preeminence of Christ; therefore, Paul writes an entire section dealing with the deity of Christ and that He is first in all things. We are told He is the “image of the invisible God” (1:15), “the Creator” (1:16), “the Sustainer” (1:17), “the Head of the church and First Born of the dead” (1:18), “the Fullness of God” (1:19), and “the One who reconciled all things to Himself through the Cross” (1:20-23). Judging by Paul’s response, these false teachers must have taught Christ was not preeminent, nor the Creator or Sustainer of all things. Paul attacks their empty deceit and philosophy, which he says is according to human tradition and according to the elemental spirits of the world (2:8). Paul tells them not to be deceived because they, as a church, have been filled with Christ who is the Head of all rule and authority (2:10). The false teachers seem to have taught that the Gentile believers in Colossae needed to be circumcised because Paul assures them by telling them that they were circumcised in Christ, a circumcision made without hands (2:11), they have been buried with Christ in baptism and raised from the dead in Christ (2:12), and Christ has cancelled out the record of debt that stood against them by nailing it to the cross (2:14).

These false teachers must have been proponents of the fear of demons and angels, as well, because Paul tells them that Christ has disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to shame by triumphing over them (2:15). In Chapter 2 verse 18, Paul tells the Colossians not to let anyone disqualify them by insisting on the worship of angels. These false teachers also taught obedience to the parts of the Jewish Law, such as festivals and Sabbaths (2:18). The false teachers must have taught the Colossians to submit to regulations having to do with handling certain things and eating certain things (2:21). Paul tells them all these things will perish as they are used and these are only human teachings and precepts. He tells them these, indeed, have an appearance of wisdom, but they are really just promoting self-made religion and asceticism. They have no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh (2:23). In Chapter 3, Paul does an entire exposition on true Christian spirituality and true Christian living. Paul explains to the Church in Colossae that Jesus Christ is absolutely preeminent over man-made teaching and man-made practice. Jesus Christ is—in his person and work—supremely enough for us and for our salvation.

Next week, we’ll take Paul’s purpose in writing to the Colossians and translate it to our context.