Colossians

About Colossians

Colossians was written to a church Paul had never visited, where new teachings were making Christ seem like just one spiritual power among many. Paul answers with one of the Bible's most soaring pictures of Jesus: the image of the invisible God, the one through whom and for whom everything was made. Because believers already have fullness in Him, they need no extra rules or secret experiences, only lives rooted and growing in Christ.

Written by

The letter comes in the names of Paul and Timothy, and the church has traditionally received it as Paul's; some modern scholars question this because of its style, while many others uphold it.

When

If from Paul, it was written during his imprisonment around AD 60-62.

Themes

• Christ supreme over all
• Fullness in Christ alone
• The new self
• Rooted and growing faith

Key verses

• Colossians 1:15-17The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
• Colossians 2:6-7Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
• Colossians 3:1-2Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.