Understanding Colossians Like Its First Audience Did
Today, we’re going to dive into a Colossians Overview, so that when we study this book, we can better understand it. We’ll look at:
- Who wrote Colossians.
- Why it was written.
- What was going on in Colossae to prompt its writing.
- And some of the big ideas of this book, and how they can impact us today.
Clarifying Context to Equip You for Curious Exploration
As you grow your understanding in these areas, you are better able to read and filter through your own study of Colossians with an understanding of which things might be most important. This Colossians overview will better equip you to receive this epistle. You will be able to better read it in the way its original readers would have.
So, let’s get started.
The Big Ideas and Helpful Highlights in Understanding an Overview of Colossians
Authorship
Most likely, Paul wrote the book of Colossians. As is possible with other letters attributed to Paul, some argue it may have been written posthumously by followers of Paul’s teachings. It may also have been written by a scribe or one of Paul’s disciples writing with his permission. However, it is most likely that Paul wrote this letter himself. The text itself identifies Paul, along with Timothy, as the authors of the letter. For the purposes of this Colossians overview, we talk about the book as if it was – with certainty – written by Paul.
As Michael F. Bird has highlighted in writing for Faithlife, Paul’s specific personal background uniquely equips him for his life’s work. He was an educated Jewish man, born in a Greek-speaking university town. He was also an educated Roman citizen. As such, he was uniquely equipped him to preach the news of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, to Greeks and Romans in the Eastern Mediterranean. His familiarity with their customs, languages, idioms, culture, and imagery powerfully enabled his ministry.
Audience
Paul sent this epistle (an epistle is a letter written for a wider audience, rather than an individual) to the Colossian church. Paul asks that the Colossians share this letter with surrounding churches as well.
Timeline Considerations
Paul wrote Colossians around the same time he wrote Ephesians and Philemon. This was while he was imprisoned and nearing the end of his life. The church at Colossae was probably between 7-12 years old when Paul wrote this letter to help guide and direct them.
Intentions in Writing to the Colossians
Paul certainly wrote, in part, to correct certain teachings with which the church at Colossae was being influenced. The overall nature of those teachings, however, remains unclear and unspecific in current scholarship.
How a Colossians Overview Helps You Read the Bible Better
Colossians’ context helps its writing feel more real and relatable. Some off-center teachings have influenced this local church, in its first decade of existence (give or take). Paul, though he never visited Colossae’s church, cares about and invests in its growth and maturity.
His teachings, as he corrects and directs their focus, center again and again on Christ and the fact that – ALL other things aside – it is Jesus Christ on whom all things rest.
Many of us have probably experienced these kinds of “growing pains” personally or within church communities and all can surely agree that refocusing around the central fact of Jesus Christ helps keep our growth focused in the right direction.
When we consider and read more in Colossians, we can clarify true meaning and receive Paul’s intentions more confidently when we consider the context in which he wrote, to whom he wrote, and, of course, who he is that writes.
How to Learn Even More as You Read
As you continue to explore both a Colossians overview of your own, and as you dig into its chapters, use my FREE Guide “5 Practices for Engaging Bible Study” to help guide and refresh your study. This flexible tool shares new study ideas for anyone reading the Bible. The practices are useful alongside any section of scripture. Sign up for your FREE download below!
You can also check out these other Colossians resources:
For a summary of the actual content of the book, this video from The Bible Project is a great place to start. But, don’t forget, the best connection with God happens when you read the Bible for yourself and use your resources as supports to the main thing!
This is a great Biographical overview of the person of Paul.
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As always, please put your questions in the comments. I’ll be glad to respond ASAP!