Introduction to Colossians

Dr. Gail E. Terrell
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church , Hamilton, Ohio

  1. Author.   Paul wrote Colossians (1:1) in about 61 or 62 A.D. from his first Roman imprisonment.   Timothy is with Paul (1:1), however, Paul is the sole writer as shown by the first person references throughout the epistle (1:25,29; 4:7,8, etc.)
  2. Recipients.   Colossians is written to the Christians at Colosse (1:7).   Every saved person and every church body should receive these teachings of the Lord because Christ is the head of the body, the church (1:18).
  3. Theme.   The preeminence of Christ (1:15-19).   Christ is the head of the body, the church, and the creator of all things.
  4. Key verses.   1:15-19 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 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: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.   18 And he is the head of the body, the church:   who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.   19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.
  5. Key words used in Colossians:   Christ – 26 times; head – 3 times.
  6. References to the Lord’s church in Colossians: The word church appears 4 times in Colossians.   Twice the word church refers to each church body of which Christ is its head.   The members of a church body are somewhat like the joints and parts of a physical body and are to be closely knit together in love (2:2).
    1. 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church:   who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
    2. 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.
    3. Twice the word church is used to emphasize the fellowship between its members and between other churches.
    4. 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
    5. 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
  7. Colossians has 4 chapters, 95 verses, and about 1,998 words.

Notes