You Are Built Up In Christ
This blog post is from our Colossians chapter 2 podcast episode. Click here to listen to the podcast.
Paul’s letter to the Colossians, along with Paul’s letters to the Ephesians and Philemon, was apparently written during Paul’s first imprisonment. If this is the case, the most likely date is around 60-62 A.D. Moreover, Paul’s letter to the Colossians covers much of the same material and uses many of the same themes as his letter to the Ephesians.
There are two key differences between Paul’s letter to the Colossians and Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that should be pointed out in this introduction. First, Paul’s letter to the “Ephesians” seems very general in its greeting, subject matter, and conclusion. This seems strange since so much of Paul’s ministry had been previously centered in the city of Ephesus for two years (cf. Acts 19:10). In contrast, Paul’s letter to the Colossians has a more pointed warning to be on guard against the Judaizers (i.e., Colossians 2:8-23).
A second key difference is the naming of specific people in the extended conclusion of the letter. This indicates that Paul knew specific people in Colossae that he wished to address directly. One would also expect a conclusion like this at the end of the apostle’s letter to the Ephesians. These two facts seem to support the view that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was possibly a letter to be read in several churches (for more information on this issue, see the introduction to Ephesians podcasts or the study of the Book of Ephesians under the “Bible Studies” link at teachmethebible.com).
While there are a couple of key differences between Colossians and Ephesians, the similarities are tremendous. The same structure, order, and similarities in content are found in both. If you have been with us through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, then much of this letter will sound very familiar.
In Colossians 2:1-7, Paul explained the “fight” or “struggle” in which he was engaged for the Colossians and the Laodiceans. Specifically, his ministry was not only to preach the gospel but also to defend it against those who would lead these believers astray through “persuasive argument.” In short, Paul was concerned about the Judaizers who would contradict Paul’s teaching and reject Christ. Paul will address this concern in the next verses in this chapter.
For further study, read all of Colossians 2.
In Colossians 2:8-15, Paul made his point. Namely, he exhorted the Colossians to “see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” Paul was referring to Jewish unbelievers who would try to persuade the Colossians with law-keeping and circumcision. As Paul explains, it is not the Law that makes one complete but Christ.
For further study, Galatians 3 and Paul’s argument against law-keeping and circumcision for righteousness.
In Colossians 2:16-19, Paul explained that since Christ has paid for all of the believers’ sins, they were not to allow anyone to act as their judge in trying to subjugate them to the Law, which only served as a shadow of the deliverance, that was to come in Christ.
For further study, read Galatians 5.
In Colossians 2:20-23, Paul explained that while law-keeping might have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion, it is ultimately of no value. The problem is that no amount of law-keeping could ever take away sin. Only Christ could do that.
For further study, read Hebrews 10.
Paul’s letter to the Colossians, along with Paul’s letters to the Ephesians and Philemon, was apparently written during Paul’s first imprisonment. If this is the case, the most likely date is around 60-62 A.D. Moreover, Paul’s letter to the Colossians covers much of the same material and uses many of the same themes as his letter to the Ephesians.
There are two key differences between Paul’s letter to the Colossians and Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that should be pointed out in this introduction. First, Paul’s letter to the “Ephesians” seems very general in its greeting, subject matter, and conclusion. This seems strange since so much of Paul’s ministry had been previously centered in the city of Ephesus for two years (cf. Acts 19:10). In contrast, Paul’s letter to the Colossians has a more pointed warning to be on guard against the Judaizers (i.e., Colossians 2:8-23).
A second key difference is the naming of specific people in the extended conclusion of the letter. This indicates that Paul knew specific people in Colossae that he wished to address directly. One would also expect a conclusion like this at the end of the apostle’s letter to the Ephesians. These two facts seem to support the view that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was possibly a letter to be read in several churches (for more information on this issue, see the introduction to Ephesians podcasts or the study of the Book of Ephesians under the “Bible Studies” link at teachmethebible.com).
While there are a couple of key differences between Colossians and Ephesians, the similarities are tremendous. The same structure, order, and similarities in content are found in both. If you have been with us through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, then much of this letter will sound very familiar.
In Colossians 2:1-7, Paul explained the “fight” or “struggle” in which he was engaged for the Colossians and the Laodiceans. Specifically, his ministry was not only to preach the gospel but also to defend it against those who would lead these believers astray through “persuasive argument.” In short, Paul was concerned about the Judaizers who would contradict Paul’s teaching and reject Christ. Paul will address this concern in the next verses in this chapter.
For further study, read all of Colossians 2.
In Colossians 2:8-15, Paul made his point. Namely, he exhorted the Colossians to “see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” Paul was referring to Jewish unbelievers who would try to persuade the Colossians with law-keeping and circumcision. As Paul explains, it is not the Law that makes one complete but Christ.
For further study, Galatians 3 and Paul’s argument against law-keeping and circumcision for righteousness.
In Colossians 2:16-19, Paul explained that since Christ has paid for all of the believers’ sins, they were not to allow anyone to act as their judge in trying to subjugate them to the Law, which only served as a shadow of the deliverance, that was to come in Christ.
For further study, read Galatians 5.
In Colossians 2:20-23, Paul explained that while law-keeping might have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion, it is ultimately of no value. The problem is that no amount of law-keeping could ever take away sin. Only Christ could do that.
For further study, read Hebrews 10.
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