The Epistles
The Book of Colossians: Summary
Colossians is a letter written to confront a subtle and dangerous error with the sheer greatness of Christ. Paul had not personally founded the church at Colossae; it had been planted through his coworker Epaphras. But word reached him that false teaching was creeping in, a blend of philosophy, ritual, angel worship, and rules that promised deeper spirituality by adding to Christ. Paul answers not mainly by refuting each error, but by lifting the church's eyes to the all-sufficient Lord who needs no supplement.
The letter's foundation is one of the most exalted portraits of Christ in all of Scripture. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the one by whom, through whom, and for whom all things were made. He holds the universe together, He is the head of the church, and in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. Through the blood of His cross God reconciled all things to Himself. There is nothing higher to seek than the One who is over all.
Because Christ is supreme, He is also sufficient. Paul warns the Colossians not to be taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit, by rules about food and festivals, or by the false humility of angel worship and harsh treatment of the body. These are shadows; the substance belongs to Christ. In Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and believers have been filled in Him, so they need not reach beyond Him for what He has already given.
Paul then draws out the practical meaning of union with Christ. Believers have died with Him and been raised with Him, so they are to set their hearts on things above, where Christ is seated. The old self, with its immorality, anger, and deceit, is to be put off like filthy clothing, and the new self put on: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and above all love, which binds everything together. The peace of Christ is to rule their hearts, and the word of Christ to dwell in them richly.
The letter closes by showing how the lordship of Christ reshapes ordinary relationships and daily work. Whatever they do, in word or deed, they are to do in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through Him. Wives, husbands, children, parents, and workers all find their place under His authority, and Paul urges the church to persevere in prayer and to walk in wisdom toward outsiders. A short but weighty letter, Colossians leaves the reader convinced that in Christ we are complete.
How the book unfolds
The supremacy of Christ
After thanksgiving and prayer for the Colossians' growth, Paul bursts into a majestic description of Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the one through whom and for whom all things were made, and in whom all things hold together.
He is the head of the church, the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything He might be preeminent. In Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through His cross God reconciled all things to Himself.
Complete in Christ alone
Paul labors and prays that believers would know the mystery of God, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He warns them not to be taken captive by hollow philosophy and human tradition, for in Christ the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and in Him they have been made complete.
Their debt has been nailed to the cross, and the powers disarmed. They need not add ritual or asceticism to what Christ has already fully accomplished.
Shadows and the substance
Paul confronts the specific errors troubling the church: rules about food and drink, festivals and new moons, self-imposed humility, angel worship, and harsh treatment of the body. These he calls shadows of what was to come; the substance belongs to Christ.
Such practices have an appearance of wisdom but no power to restrain the flesh. Having died with Christ to these elemental principles, believers are not to submit again to regulations that cannot deliver what only Christ can give.
Raised with Christ
Because believers have been raised with Christ, Paul calls them to seek the things above, where Christ is seated at God's right hand, and to set their minds there. They are to put to death what is earthly in them and to strip off the old self with its practices, then to clothe themselves with the new self: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness, with love binding all together.
The peace of Christ is to rule their hearts and the word of Christ to dwell in them richly.
The lordship of Christ in daily life
Paul shows how union with Christ reshapes every relationship and task. Whatever they do, in word or deed, they are to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, working heartily as for the Lord and not for men. He addresses wives and husbands, children and parents, workers and masters, placing each under Christ's authority.
He urges steadfast, watchful, thankful prayer, wise conduct toward outsiders, and gracious speech, closing with warm greetings that reveal a network of laboring friends.
Great themes
Verses to carry from Colossians
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
Colossians 3:23
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
Colossians 1:15-16
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
Colossians 2:9
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Colossians 3:2
What Colossians asks of you
Colossians speaks to anyone tempted to think that Christ is not quite enough, that real spirituality requires some added technique, rule, or experience. Its remedy is to fix your gaze on the greatness and sufficiency of Jesus, in whom all the fullness of God dwells and in whom you have been made complete. When voices promise deeper life through extra requirements, remember that these are shadows and Christ is the substance. Because you have been raised with Him, set your mind on things above rather than being consumed by earthly anxieties.
Then let that new identity reshape your character. Put off anger, malice, slander, and deceit like dirty clothing, and put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness, with love binding it all together. Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart and His word dwell in you richly, overflowing in gratitude. Carry His lordship into every corner of ordinary life, so that whatever you do, in word or deed, you do it in His name, working wholeheartedly as for the Lord Himself.
How Colossians points to Christ
Colossians offers one of Scripture's highest views of Christ, and it exists to make Him supreme in the reader's mind. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the one by whom all things in heaven and earth were created, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church, the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. In Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through the blood of His cross God reconciled all things to Himself.
This is not a Christ to be supplemented but a Christ to be treasured, for in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. He has canceled the record of debt that stood against us, nailing it to the cross, and disarmed the powers, triumphing over them. Believers are complete in Him, hidden with Him in God, and one day will appear with Him in glory. Colossians teaches that to have Christ is to have everything, for He is all, and in all.
Come and see
Perhaps you have wondered whether faith in Jesus is enough, or whether you must somehow add to it to be truly acceptable to God. Colossians answers with a resounding truth: in Christ dwells all the fullness of God, and in Him you can be made complete. He has canceled the debt that stood against you and reconciled you to God through His cross. Nothing needs to be added; you simply come to Him and receive what He has done.
At The Living Bread we love this letter because it lifts our eyes to the greatness of Christ when lesser things clamor for our trust. If you sense Him drawing you today, you can turn to Him now and rest in His sufficiency. We would be glad to pray with you and walk beside you.
Questions people ask about Colossians
What false teaching was Paul confronting in Colossians?
A blend of ideas was creeping into the church, mixing human philosophy, Jewish rules about food and festivals, the worship of angels, and harsh treatment of the body, all promising a deeper spirituality by adding to Christ. Paul does not chase every detail but answers the whole error by exalting Christ as supreme and sufficient. Because all the fullness of God dwells in Him, nothing needs to be added to what He has already accomplished.
What does Colossians teach about who Jesus is?
Colossians gives one of the loftiest portraits of Christ in the Bible. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the one through whom and for whom all things were made, who holds the universe together and is head of the church. In Him all the fullness of God dwells bodily, and through His cross God reconciled all things to Himself. He is supreme over every power and entirely sufficient for salvation.
What does it mean to seek things above?
Because believers have been raised with Christ, Paul urges them to set their hearts and minds on things above, where Christ is seated at God's right hand, rather than on earthly things. It means orienting your desires, values, and attention around Christ and His kingdom instead of being ruled by worldly cravings and anxieties. This heavenly focus then works itself out in a transformed character marked by love, forgiveness, and gratitude.
Read Colossians chapter by chapter
All 4 chapters of Colossians, each with the King James text, a short guide, and a prayer.