The author began preaching the gospel of christ fulltime in 1974. Wayne house, heresies in the colossian church, bibliotheca sacra 149. You can find the best commentary on colossians for. Barnes notes on the new testamentbook of colossians by. There are exegetical commentaries, scholarly and technical commentaries, as well as commentaries that are easy to understand. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise.
Best colossians commentaries updated for 2021 best. It was written to counter and respond to heretical teachings and encourage believers to serve with fervor and passion. This letter was written by paul, an apostle of jesus christ 1. We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Destination of the letter the epistle to the colossians was written to the church at colosse, probably between 60 and 63 ad. A brief introduction and overview of the book of colossians.
From these sources we learn that epaphras was responsible for bringing the gospel to the colossians colossians. Jan 20, 2014 1 much of what follows is adapted from. The special characteristic in both colossians and galatians is correction of serious doctrinal deviation from the alreadygiven standard. I believe that this book could make a profound impact on your understanding of the gospel therefore, impacting your relationship with the lord. Galatians, ephesians, philippians, and colossians andrew.
In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. The sum and substance of the apostles preaching, and the manner in which he executed his ministry, colossians 1. The book of colossians is a series of expository preaching notes that will give the listener an account of what happens in the book of colossians with commentary on each scripture within the text. The bible knowledge commentarycolossians introduction norman l. Barnes notes is a commentary of great general usefulness. Paul took care to point out that jesus is god, and he came in the body of his flesh colossians 1. So, in this letter, paul referred to jesus as christ. Summary page for preaching outline and commentary on the book of colossians including big idea statement and some notable quotes. You can find the best commentary on colossians for you using the tools on the right side. From these sources we learn that epaphras was responsible for bringing the gospel to the colossians colossians 1. The book of colossians is an important look into the mystery of christ which was hidden for generations and now disclosed to the saints col. Paul was under house arrest for two years in rome, and shortly after that time period, he was martyred. Paul urged philemon to accord onesimus the same warm welcome he would if paul himself were coming to visit.
Constable taught at dallas theological seminary for 45 years, and served as the chairman of its bible exposition department for years. We will focus on the main themes that arise throughout the book such as the supremacy of christ, the freedom we experience through the gospel, and how to live a life pleasing to the lord. The theme of this book is the lordship of jesus christ and his sufficiency in meeting our needs in every area. These were common sins among the pagan compare the notes at colossians 3. One purpose was to correct the heresy that had sprung up in the asian city of colosse. It is not mentioned in acts, as paul did not personally visit there. Colossians summary commentaries bible study resources. Theodoret long since suggested that the meaning of this was i have not. The salvation which the colossians had received, and of which the apostle had been the minister and dispenser, colossians 1. If ye then be risen with christ, seek those things which are above, where christ sitteth on the right.
The book of colossians was written to christians, not to the unsaved. I have bound into a book all of the life for today study notes on the four letters written by paul to the galatians, ephesians, philippians, and colossians. His prayer for their knowledge, fruitfulness, and strength v. The main theme of colossians is the lordship of jesus christ, it has demonstrated his authority, his preeminence, his omniscience, his omnipotence and his deity he is the fullness. Philippians emphasizes the kenosis christ became a servant philippians 2. Our faith in jesus christ should transform the relationships we have in every area of our livesin our homes, our churches, and our world. It is our duty to mortify our members which incline to the things of the world. Paul notes two positive characteristics about epaphras in this verse. Most commentators are certain that paul was indeed the author.
Since that time he has worked with independent, nondenominational churches of christ in. Wooo n colossians alo 1 introduction to colossians c olossians is perhaps the most christcentered book in the bible. Paul was under house arrest in rome for approximately two years. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. Jan 31, 2020 a verse by verse inductive and exegetical bible study series into the book of colossians.
God is sometimes pleased to make use of the ministry of those who are of less note, and lower gifts, for doing great service to his church. Written to christians living in colosse, a small city located on the lycus river in presentday turkey, the letter was delivered by tychicus and onesimus alongside those paul wrote to. The city of colosse is not even mentioned in the book of acts. The gospel was first preached in phrygia by paul and silas, accompanied also. Before paul wrote this letter to the christians in colossae, he had never been to their city colossians 2.
The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. Colossians 1 william barclays daily study bible bible. Roy yates, colossians and gnosis, journal for the study of the new testament 27 june 1986. A verse by verse inductive and exegetical bible study series into the book of colossians. This basic commentary provides some basic helps for understanding and appreciating pauls written address to the colossians. He is the image of the invisible god, the firstborn of all creation. The key personalities include paul, timothy, tychicus, onesimus, aristarchus, mark, and epaphras. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul.
Paul progresses from the individual life to the home and family. Paul has much to say of the hope, to which the colossians have already listened and which they have already accepted. The author of this epistle is the apostle paul as stated in colossians 1. See dr ruckmans commentary the book of proverbs pp 203205, 627628. He emphasised that jesus was the messiah from god see note on verse 3. Ministers utilize the valuable homiletical material in each volume, in addition to the scholarly and practical commentary. Paul wrote several epistles, or letters, to the various churches that he helped start and visited. Chapters available colossians albert barnes notes on the whole. This list of commentaries is intended to help the reader understand and apply pauls message in the book of colossians. Onesimus was on an errand to the colossians on behalf of paul, and paul called him a beloved brother colossians 4.
Colossians complete bible book chapters and summary. Geisler the book of colossians was written by the apostle paul about a. Book of colossians colossians chapter 1 colossians chapter 2 colossians chapter 3 colossians chapter 4. The second half is a miniethics course, addressing every area of christian life. All our biblical information about the church there comes from this letter and a few allusions in the letter to philemon. Perhaps epaphras heard the gospel himself when paul was in ephesus. Colossians was written during pauls first imprisonment in rome. Bible students appreciate this commentary as a trustworthy guide in their study of the bible.
Big bible words themes from the book are there any unfamiliar terms or concepts. Like ephesians, the little book of colossians divides neatly in half with the. Colossians 3 bible commentary matthew henry concise. Colossians is also very similar in content to ephesians and philemon, with about one fourth of colossians actually contained in the book of ephesians. Some have argued that paul wrote colossians from ephesus or caesarea, but most of the evidence favors rome as the place where paul penned all the prison letters ephesians, colossians, philippians and philemon. In the process the reader will encounter our discussions on several major, and at times controversial, doctrines and issues. Colossians complete bible book chapters and summary new. Its message is of a god who is a friend and lover of the souls of men. The book of colossians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Bible study is essential for individual prayer in the will of god colossians 1. His thanksgiving to god for what he had heard concerning themtheir faith, love, and hope v. The extra time it takes to study a book in context seems well worth the end result.
Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. Mortify them, kill them, suppress them, as weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them. It will save thee many pangs if thou will learn to think of thyself as being in him. This helps explain the personal greetings he included at the end of the letter, a practice he usually reserved for letters to churches he had not visited for example, romans. Colossians christ is the theme and the periphery of the circle where christian living is the center. Paul to have understood the terms which he used, he must have considered jesus christ as being truly and properly god unless there be some secret way of understanding the 16 th and 17 th verses, which god has nowhere revealed, taken in their sober and rational sense and meaning they must forever settle this very important point. Colossians 1 adam clarke commentary bible commentaries. Bailey emphasizes the vital message of following the way to holiness as seen in the epistle to the colossians, as well as the message of restoration in that a slave becomes a brother in the epistle to philemon. Colossians and philemon is an easy reading verse by verse commentary on those most blessed new testament letters of the apostle paul.
Its teaching that if a christian at some point says forget it jesus, i dont want you in my life, and im not going to trust you as my lord and savior anymore than they can do that. Colossians 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. Top 5 commentaries on the books of colossians and philemon. Colossians emphasizes the pleroma christ is the fullness of god colossians 2. Constable, provide commentary on all 66 books of the bible and contain over 12,000 pages of material in pdf format. Best colossians commentaries updated for 2021 best bible.
Date paul wrote this epistle from prison, as he did ephesians, philippians, and philemon. Colossians stands in the same relation to ephesians as galatians to romans. Sermons in this series call his name jesus matthew 1. May 02, 2020 paul progresses from the individual life to the home and family, from work to the way we should treat others. Colossians is a letter written by the apostle paul approximately a. Though he did not personally know the recipients, paul was acquainted with them. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote colossians around 6163 a. The prison epistles include ephesians, philippians, colossians, and the very personal epistle to philemon. Gnosticism taught that since god could not have direct contact with the material world, that god himself did not create the world, but he worked through lesser spirits or angels.
David guzik commentary on colossians 1, which emphasizes the greatness of. Those who are the elect of god, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. It was written to counter and respond to heretical teachings and encourage believers to serve with fervor. It was written from rome during pauls first imprisonment, at which time he also wrote ephesians and philemon. The church in colosse was established under the ministry of epaphras. Among these are the incomprehensibility of god and the origin of sin and evil. This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of colossians. That colossians is a genuine letter of paul is usually not disputed. Colossians matthew henrys commentary bible gateway. His letter to the church of colossae discusses several doctrinal. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp.
The glorious character of jesus christ, and what he has done for mankind, colossians 1. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. In it paul stresses the preeminence of the person of christ and the completeness of the salvation he provides. Enduring word bible commentary colossians chapter 1. Enduring word bible commentary colossians chapter 3. Multiple sources list a variety of dates within the timeframe of 5764 ad. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4.
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