The Superiority of Christ and His Kingdom

Colossians

The superiority of Christ and his kingdom

Key Terms/phrases:
·  Knowledge: 1:9-10; 2:2-3
·  Reconcile: 1:20, 22
·  Saints: 1:2, 12, 26
·  Firstborn[i]: 1:15 / Themes:
·  Deity of Christ: 1:15-17, 19; 2:9
·  Salvation/Reconciliation: 1:20-22; 2:13-15; 3:3
·  The body (church): 1:18, 24; 2:19; 3:15
·  Treasures and inheritance: 1:12; 2:2-3; 3:24
·  Spiritual warfare/Christ’s victory: 1:13; 2:15
Historical Context:
·  Author: Apostle Paul (1:1)
·  Written to combat perspectives of Gnosticism and also probably false Jewish teachers (see 2:11, 16)
·  Likely written between AD 60-62
·  Written while imprisoned in Rome (Ephesians and Philemon also likely written during first imprisonment) / Chapter Divisions/summaries:
·  1:1-2: Greetings/salutation
·  1:3-12: Thanks & prayer
·  1:13-23: Greatness of Christ
·  1:24-2:5: Paul’s ministry & Christ’s empowerment
·  2:6-23: Life & freedom in Christ
·  3:1-17: The new life
·  3:18-4:6: Christian living & interaction
·  4:7-18: Final instructions
Literary Devices:
·  Repetition: Reconcile; Saints (see key terms)
·  Metaphor: The body=the church (see themes for scripture references)
Applications:
·  We should pray that God would give us wisdom regarding His will. (1:9)
·  Christ dwells in us through the Holy Spirit to empower us for His work and kingdom advancement. (1:27-29)
·  We must abide in Christ because in him we have an eternal wealth of knowledge and wisdom that no school, university, or government can match (2:3)
·  Our ministry and Christian life must be centered in Christ. (2:18-19)
·  Sanctify our minds through meditation on God and His word. (3:1-2)
·  We should work out of a pure heart to do our best in whatever situation we are in. (3:22-24)
·  We should pray for opportunities to share the gospel. (4:3)

Reference:

English Standard Version Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway 2002

Dr. Constable. www.soniclight.com. Notes on Colossians

Dockery, D. S. (Ed.). (1998). Holman concise Bible commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Getz, Gene A. Life Essentials Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers 2011

[i] Paul described Jesus as Lord of creation, the “firstborn.” The term “firstborn” stresses uniqueness and sovereignty rather than priority in time. Jesus is the “firstborn” because He is the agent of creation and the heir of creation. Holman Concise Bible Commentary