Colossians

Christ’s supreme role in creation and peace

1:9-14

Applying reconciliation to the Colossians’ story

1:15-20

Paul’s ministry aim and costly labor

1:21-23

Paul’s struggle and purpose for them

1:24-29

Introduction

2:1-3

Steady faith and the call to continue

Transition

2:4-7

Guard against empty teaching, cling to Christ

Christ’s work explained in shared union

2:8-10

Reject condemning judges and false spirituality

2:11-15

Why human rules fail to restrain desires

2:16-19

Aim Your Life Above With Christ

2:20-23

Put Earthly Sins to Death

3:1-4

3:5-7

Take Off the Old Self

Put On Compassion and Love

3:8-11

Let Peace and the Word Lead

3:12-14

Household Roles in Marriage and Family

3:15-17

Work With Integrity Under the Lord

3:18-21

Prayer and wise public conduct

3:22-25

Tychicus and Onesimus sent to report

4:1-6

Greetings from Jewish coworkers

4:7-9

Epaphras commended for prayerful labor

4:10-11

More greetings and Laodicean connections

4:12-13

Letter sharing and Archippus charged

4:14-15

Paul’s handwritten close and blessing

4:16-17

Conclusion

4:18

Study notes and limitsOpenClose

Study Notes

These overview notes summarize key ideas and context to help you read. They are not a substitute for the biblical text and should be tested by careful reading of Colossians.

Questions about Colossians

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Context

Big idea and book facts

Author: Paul the Apostle
Date: c. AD 62
Location: Rome
Audience: Believers in Colossae
Genre: Epistle

Colossians journeyColossians book guide

Colossians 1Next

Full passage context

Colossians book guide

Start with the map and timeline, then explore verse notes, background, theology, questions, and related passages.

Start here

Map and timeline

Movement

Christ supreme over all

Artifact

Christ over all creation

Biblical Timeline

Apostolic Age

Creation

Apostles

New creation

Colossians context: AD 33 - AD 100

Biblical Timeline

Apostolic Age

Colossians context

Apostolic Age / AD 33 - AD 100

CreationNew creation

Creation4000 BCPatriarchs2000 BCExodus1500 BCKingdom1000 BC2nd Temple400 BCChurchAD 100

Colossians context is set in the apostolic age, where The early church and the writing of the New Testament.

Setting

Historical context

Map

Structure and argument

Argument Flow

KeyGreetingThanksgivingAppealProgrammatic StatementExplanationCommendationIntroductionTransitionWarningArgumentExhortationGreeting ListConclusion

Opening greeting from Paul and Timothy

Greeting

1:1-2

Thanksgiving for faith, love, and gospel growth

Thanksgiving

1:3-8

Prayer for wisdom and a worthy walk

Christ’s supreme role in creation and peace

1:9-14

Applying reconciliation to the Colossians’ story

1:15-20

Paul’s ministry aim and costly labor

1:21-23

Paul’s struggle and purpose for them

1:24-29

Introduction

2:1-3

Steady faith and the call to continue

Transition

2:4-7

Guard against empty teaching, cling to Christ

Christ’s work explained in shared union

2:8-10

Reject condemning judges and false spirituality

2:11-15

Why human rules fail to restrain desires

2:16-19

Aim Your Life Above With Christ

2:20-23

Put Earthly Sins to Death

3:1-4

3:5-7

Take Off the Old Self

Put On Compassion and Love

3:8-11

Let Peace and the Word Lead

3:12-14

Household Roles in Marriage and Family

3:15-17

Work With Integrity Under the Lord

3:18-21

Prayer and wise public conduct

3:22-25

Tychicus and Onesimus sent to report

4:1-6

Greetings from Jewish coworkers

4:7-9

Epaphras commended for prayerful labor

4:10-11

More greetings and Laodicean connections

4:12-13

Letter sharing and Archippus charged

4:14-15