Colossians 2:16-17 We begin the next section (2:16-23) of the letter to the Colossian church. This section Paul addresses the Colossian Heresy. Previously Paul has made the case that Christ is supreme and sufficient. As you have received Christ, so walk in him (Col 2:6). He has explained the Christian’s union with Christ through baptism, that we are to be made alive in Christ. Paul has addressed the false teaching in part (2:4, 8). Beginning in verse 16 Paul has a

Colossians 2:9-15 I. According to Christ (Vs. 9-10) Last week we had a detailed look at verse eight. Paul warns the church to be watchful of the philosophy, empty deceit, human traditions, and elementary principles. Each of these are not according to Christ. Paul, in the following verses, speaks what is according to Christ. The first word in verse nine shows this connection. They are not according to Christ because they are empty and hollow. However, in Christ, the whole fullness

Colossians 2:8 We explained in the original study that the aspirations of Paul writing the book of Colossians was to deal with false teaching, known as the Colossian heresy. The Colossian heresy has caused a lot of ink to be printed in academia, commentaries, and scholarly works. Today’s verse is one of the verses that fuels this scholarly work. There are four main lines of thought concerning the Colossian heresy. The heresy is rooted in Greek Philosophy, especially an early form

Colossians 2:6-7- Walk in Him In the last few weeks, we have seen the gospel ministry in the life of the pastor and the congregation. Paul continues to remind the church of the centrality of Christ in the Christian's life. The previous verse ended with Paul rejoicing in the firmness of faith, which is found only in Christ (Col 2:5). Paul starts verse 6 with the word, 'therefore.' We need to be reminded when we read the word 'therefore' that it

Colossians 1:24-29 Up to this point in the letter to the Colossians, Paul has said very little about himself and his ministry. Paul had not met many of the members of the church in Colossae face to face (Col 2:1). Paul had only instructed them that he was an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God (Col 1:1). Paul had told them that he had been praying for them, but besides that, Paul speaks very little of himself. In

Colossians 1:21-23 Today we look at the end of this Christological section in the first chapter of Colossians. The part is still what I would call the opening statement to Paul’s letter. Previously, we have seen Paul gives thanks to God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the church in Colossae (Col 1:3-14). Last week, we looked at the Christological Poem, found in verses 15 to 20. In these verses, we see Christ is over all creation and the

Colossians 1:15-20 We come today to the glorious passage found in Colossians 1:15-20. It is important to note that this is all one Greek sentence starting in verse nine. Paul explains that he gives thanks to the Father, who has qualified, delivered, and transferred his people into the Kingdom of His beloved Son (Col 1:12-13). Interestingly Paul does not mention Christ’s name in this section nor in the passage, which is often called a Christological Hymn (He does mention Christ previously

Colossians 1:9-14 Paul’s letter continues with his standard greeting. We need to be reminded that the letter would be read as a whole and has thoughts that are intertwined with one another. When we study the scriptures, we generally take a pericope (extract from the text) and dive into the meaning. We find that even reading through a letter that takes about fifteen-twenty minutes to read will take us over twenty weeks to digest in sermons. As we continue to study

Colossians 1:3-8 We continue through the book of Colossians. We turn now to the first part of the greeting. Greetings appear in all of Paul’s epistles, besides Galatians, 2 Corinthians, 1 Timothy, and Titus. Keep in mind Paul has never stepped foot in this church and not seen them face to face (Col 2:1). Paul will address some form of heresy in this epistle; however, he first is thankful to God for this church he heard about from Epaphras. The greeting