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.

Christocentric: Christ in Colossians | Theme

The theme of the book of Colossians is the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things. Jesus Christ is the preeminent God-man over heaven and earth in both his person and work.

“The Epistle contains a high Christology. Christ is preeminent over all other creatures and over creation itself.”[1] Let's quickly examine a few verses which exemplify this:

• He is supreme in all of creation and in Him the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form (1:15-21).
• His work on the cross cancelled out all sin that stands against us and reconciled all things to Himself (1:20 & 2:13-14).
• His resurrection is the basis of the new identity of the Christian (2:12 & 3:1-4).
• From His life flows true Christian piety (3:1-4, 6).

The theme of the book of Colossians, with reference to its purpose, is that the religious teachings of men are not sufficient for salvation, nor are they helpful because the person and work of Christ is supreme. Therefore, there is no need for religious teachings of men because all true reality flows from Christ alone.

The theme of the book of Colossians is one that should weave itself in and out of our lives, as well. Christ did not come as a mere historical figure, although he is the Author of it. He did not come as a political leader, although he is the Ultimate Sovereign over every earthly sovereign. The King of Kings came as the Servant of servants and our response should be to follow in his footsteps. This service we render him should not be based on earning his favor -- the gospel is opposed to earning -- but it should be striven for with great effort.

Take some time to grapple with these things today. Recognize his preeminence over all things, all circumstances... even you. Accept the fact that he is preeminent over you and thank him for it. Realize that his preeminence makes it possible for you to be truly freed from the sin that ensnares you. Respond to his preeminence with adoration and obedience. Strive, yearn, thirst for your risen King.

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[1] Donald Guthrie, New Testament Introduction: Revised Edition (Intervarsity Press, 1990) p. 571

Christocentric: Christ in Colossians | Readership

We're going to continue examining the background of the book of Colossians. Let's take a look at the readership.

The readers of the book of Colossians are from the church in Colossae. They are referred to as the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae (1:2). These saints have heard the Word of Truth—the Gospel (1:5)—which was bearing fruit among them since the day they understood it and they were being taught by Epaphras who lived among them as a faithful minister of Christ (1:6-8). Throughout the letter, the apostle Paul exhorts the Colossians in the doctrine of the preeminence of Christ and the type of living that flows from that doctrine. It is possible that this may have been an exhortation for encouragement to continue doing what they are already doing, but more likely the Colossians were abandoning the doctrine of Christ for a false teaching that had come in among them. This false teaching taught them false doctrine about Christ and about worship of angels and Jewish traditions, which flow from visions received by the false teachers. In turn, their lifestyle was not in accordance with the doctrine of Christ, but based on legalism and earthly philosophies (2:16-23). Paul exhorts them in true Christian living flowing from the life one has in Christ (3:1-4,6).

Take some time today and examine your life. What is it that you're turning to? What are you attempting to replace with Christ? Empty legalism or philosophies? Name them, put them on paper. Repent and turn to Christ, your only life=giver and healer of religion.

Christocentric: Christ in Colossians | Authorship

To begin our study of Colossians, we're going to look at some of the context. First up, the author: Paul.

The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Colossians either along with Timothy or in the company of Timothy. Many scholars—without the presence of reasonable doubt—claim that the epistle was not written by Paul.

“The authorship of this letter has been the subject of considerable discussion. Until the last century, no serious question about Pauline authorship seems to have been raised. Even then, questions were raised only by a minority of scholars.”[1]

There were no compelling arguments for any authorship other than Paul in regard to external evidences.

In regard to internal evidence, there are many similarities to other epistles written by Paul. The apostle Paul made repeated reference to himself in the book because the theological content of the book came to us in the form of an apostolic letter. Paul wrote that he always thanked God the Father for the Colossians when he prayed for them because he heard of the faith they had in Christ and the love they had for all the saints (1:3). Paul had probably never visited this church because he states he had “heard” of their faith and love (1:4). Paul tells the Colossians from the day he heard of their faith, he had not ceased to pray for them, asking that they may attain spiritual wisdom and understanding, to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.

Paul expands for the Colossians the doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ. Of this doctrine he tells them that, “[he], Paul, became a minister” (1:22). Paul tells the Colossians that he rejoices in his sufferings because they build up the church and bring to light the mystery of God (1:24-27). He tells them that Christ is the One proclaimed by Timothy and him and that he toils and struggles with all the energy of Christ and for the sake of Christ in order to bring to light the wisdom of Christ (1:28-29). Paul wants them to know how great a struggle he had for them in order that their hearts may be encouraged. Although he is absent in body, he is with them in spirit (2:1-5). At the close of the letter, Paul tells the Colossians that Tychicus will tell them about all his activities and will encourage them (4:7-9). Paul sends greetings to the Colossians from all the brothers who are either fellow prisoners or are with him during his imprisonment. He ends the letter by saying he has wrote this greeting with his own hand and grace will be with them (4:18).

Not only is Paul's authorship written all over this letter, but his heart is contained in its pages, as well. Paul's heart for his brothers and sisters in Christ is convicting, to say the least. How often are we fervently thankful for the people we spread the gospel with? We're often more inclined to complain about our co-heirs rather than thank God for them. May Paul's heart for the Colossians serve to refine our own.

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[1] Carson, Moo Morris An Introduction to the New Testament (Zondervan Publishing House, 1992) p. 331

New Blog Series: Christocentric - Christ in Colossians

The book of Colossians is rich in the doctrine of Christ. In its pages, you will find that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the God-man who has centrality and supremacy in all things. Here are some facts: the name “Christ” is used 25 times, the name “Jesus” is used 7 times, the words “him” and “his” are used 23 times in reference to Jesus, and the word “Son” is used 2 times in reference to Jesus. Jesus is the focal point of the book of Colossians and—in both his person and work as described in Colossians—he forms the foundation and reason for all things. The book of Colossians was written to make things plain: Jesus Christ is the preeminent God-man over heaven and earth. There's no getting around it (whether we want to or not).

Over the next few weeks, were going to explore these themes in the context of the author, audience and occasion of the writing, as well as Paul's theme and purpose in writing the letter. I don't want to stop there, though. This will be a springboard from which we examine what this means for each of us today. It's not enough to reason these things to be true; we must brush off our hypocrisy, close the gap between who we are and who we appear to be and choose to live in light of what we believe to be true.

What I hope for you is this: that you will encounter Christ for who he is (not what you want him to be or think he should be) and be changed. The fact that he is preeminent and holds all things together should have an affect on every part of our being. It is because of his great mercy and for the sake of his good name that he chooses to sustain us. As we walk through Colossians, I hope that we'll submit more of ourselves to him in response to the truth about him.