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<div class="head">Executable Outlines</div>
<div class="subhead">The Epistle to the Colossians</div>
<div class="main-just"><div class="pad30">
<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;font-weight:bold;">Introduction</div>
<p><b>AUTHOR:</b> The apostle Paul, joined in his salutation by Timothy (<a id="si-Col 1:1" onClick="return mV('Col',1,1);">Col 1:1</a>), and signed by Paul himself at the end of the letter (<a id="si-Col 4:18" onClick="return mV('Col',4,18);">Col 4:18</a>). Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to Paul include: Eusebius (300 A.D.), Origen (250 A.D.), Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.), Tertullian (200 A.D.), Irenaeus (200 A.D.), and the Muratorian Fragment (180 A.D.).</p>
<p><b>THE CITY OF COLOSSE:</b> The city was located about 100 miles east of Ephesus in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Together with Hieropolis (<a id="si-Col 4:13" onClick="return mV('Col',4,13);">Col 4:13</a>) and Laodicea (<a id="si-Col 2:1" onClick="return mV('Col',2,1);">Col 2:1</a>; <a id="si-Col 4:13-16" onClick="return mV('Col',4,'13-16');">Col 4:13-16</a>; <a id="si-Rev 3:14-22" onClick="return mV('Rev',3,'14-22');">Rev 3:14-22</a>), Colosse made up a tri-city area. Each city had its own distinction:</p>
<div class="levA">* Hierapolis, a place for health, pleasure, and relaxation</div>
<div class="levA">* Laodicea, known for its commercial trade and politics</div>
<div class="levA">* Colosse, known simply as a small town</div>
<p>Colosse was mostly a pagan city, with a strong intermingling of Jews (in 62 B.C., there were 11,000 Jewish freemen in the tri-city area). This may explain the nature of some of the problems that arose among the church in Colosse (problems with both pagan and Jewish origin).</p>
<p><b>THE CHURCH AT COLOSSE:</b> The establishment of the church is uncertain. At issue is whether Paul himself had ever been there. Some suggest that Paul may have done some work there during his third journey, on the way to Ephesus (cf. <a id="si-Act 18:23" onClick="return mV('Act',18,23);">Act 18:23</a>; <a id="si-Act 19:1" onClick="return mV('Act',19,1);">Act 19:1</a>). Others point out that Paul's comments imply that he had not personally been in Colosse (cf. <a id="si-Col 2:1" onClick="return mV('Col',2,1);">Col 2:1</a>). One possibility is that the church was established during Paul's extended stay at Ephesus, where the effect of his work spread throughout Asia Minor (cf. <a id="si-Act 19:8-10" onClick="return mV('Act',19,'8-10');">Act 19:8-10</a>). It may not have been Paul himself, but one of his co-workers who went out to Colosse. Paul's remarks in the epistle indicate that Epaphras was the one who preached the gospel there (<a id="si-Col 1:5-8" onClick="return mV('Col',1,'5-8');">Col 1:5-8</a>) and in Hierapolis and Laodicea (<a id="si-Col 4:12-13" onClick="return mV('Col',4,12,13);">Col 4:12-13</a>). Though he was with Paul at the time the epistle was written, Epaphras is identified as "one of you" (<a id="si-Col 4:12" onClick="return mV('Col',4,12);">Col 4:12</a>), suggesting that he may have originally been from Colosse.</p>
<p>Other members of the church at Colosse included Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus, who may have been father, mother, and son. By comparing the epistle to the Colossians with that written to Philemon, it is reasonable to suppose that the church at Colosse met in their home (cf. <a id="si-Col 4:17" onClick="return mV('Col',4,17);">Col 4:17</a> with <a id="si-Phm 1:1-2" onClick="return mV('Phm',1,1,2);">Phm 1:1-2</a>, and the references to Archippus). If Philemon and his family were hosts of the church at Colosse, then Onesimus (Philemon's slave) would have also been a member there upon his return (cf. <a id="si-Col 4:7-9" onClick="return mV('Col',4,'7-9');">Col 4:7-9</a> with <a id="si-Phm 8-16" onClick="return mV('Phm',1,'8-16');">Phm 8-16</a>).</p>
<p><b>TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING:</b> Colossians is one of Paul's four "prison epistles" (<a id="si-Col 4:18" onClick="return mV('Col',4,18);">Col 4:18</a>; cf. Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon). The general consensus is that these epistles were written during Paul's imprisonment at Rome (cf. <a id="si-Act 28:16, 30-31" onClick="return mV('Act',28,16,30,31);">Act 28:16, 30-31</a>). If such is truly the case, then Paul wrote Colossians around 61-63 A.D. from Rome. The indication is that the epistles to the Colossians, Philemon and the Ephesians were carried to their destination by Tychicus and Onesimus (cf. <a id="si-Col 4:7-9" onClick="return mV('Col',4,'7-9');">Col 4:7-9</a>; <a id="si-Phm 1:10-12" onClick="return mV('Phm',1,'10-12');">Phm 1:10-12</a>; <a id="si-Eph 6:21-22" onClick="return mV('Eph',6,'21-22');">Eph 6:21-22</a>).</p>
<p><b>PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE:</b> Paul had received a report of the situation at Colosse by way of Epaphras (<a id="si-Col 1:7-8" onClick="return mV('Col',1,7,8);">Col 1:7-8</a>). This report was for the most part favorable (<a id="si-Col 2:5" onClick="return mV('Col',2,5);">Col 2:5</a>). But the subject matter in the epistle strongly suggests that the church was facing a two-fold danger:</p>
<div class="levA">* The danger of relapse into paganism with its gross immorality (cf. <a id="si-Col 1:21-23" onClick="return mV('Col',1,'21-23');">Col 1:21-23</a>; <a id="si-Col 2:6" onClick="return mV('Col',2,6);">Col 2:6</a>; <a id="si-Col 3:5-11" onClick="return mV('Col',3,'5-11');">Col 3:5-11</a>)</div>
<div class="levA">* The danger of accepting what has been come to known as <b>"The Colossian heresy"</b>. This heresy was a syncretism involving four elements of both pagan and Jewish origin:</div>
<div class="lev1">* <b>Philosophies of men</b> - which denied the all sufficiency and pre-eminence of Christ (<a id="si-Col 2:8" onClick="return mV('Col',2,8);">Col 2:8</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">* <b>Judaistic ceremonialism</b> - which attached special significance to the rite of circumcision, food regulations, and observance of special days (<a id="si-Col 2:11, 16-17" onClick="return mV('Col',2,11,16,17);">Col 2:11, 16-17</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">* <b>Angel worship</b> - which detracted from the uniqueness of Christ (<a id="si-Col 2:18" onClick="return mV('Col',2,18);">Col 2:18</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">* <b>Asceticism</b> - which called for harsh treatment of the body as the means to control its lusts (<a id="si-Col 2:20-23" onClick="return mV('Col',2,'20-23');">Col 2:20-23</a>)</div>
<div class="levA">* To guard against these dangers, Paul writes to:</div>
<div class="lev1">* Warn the Colossians against relapse (<a id="si-Col 1:21-23" onClick="return mV('Col',1,'21-23');">Col 1:21-23</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">* Warn them against the "solution" being urged upon them by those denying the all-sufficiency of Christ (<a id="si-Col 2:8-23" onClick="return mV('Col',2,'8-23');">Col 2:8-23</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">* Direct their attention to the "Beloved Son", the "All-Sufficient and Pre-Eminent Savior" (<a id="si-Col 1:13-18" onClick="return mV('Col',1,'13-18');">Col 1:13-18</a>; <a id="si-Col 2:8-10" onClick="return mV('Col',2,'8-10');">Col 2:8-10</a>)</div>
<p><b>THEME OF THE EPISTLE:</b> With the focus on Jesus Christ as the answer to the "Colossian heresy", the theme of this letter is clearly:</p>
<p align="center"><b>CHRIST - THE FULNESS OF GOD, AND THE PRE-EMINENT, ALL-SUFFICIENT SAVIOR</b></p>
<p><b>KEY VERSES: <a id="si-Col 2:9-10" onClick="return mV('Col',2,9,10);">Col 2:9-10</a></p>
<div class="block"><b>"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."</b></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;"><b>OUTLINE:</b></div>
<div class="levI"><b>INTRODUCTION (<span class="noTag">Col 1:1-14</span>)</b></div>
<div class="levA">1. Salutation (<a id="si-Col 1:1-2" onClick="return mV('Col',1,1,2);">Col 1:1-2</a>)</div>
<div class="levA">2. Thanksgiving and prayer (<a id="si-Col 1:3-14" onClick="return mV('Col',1,3,14);">Col 1:3-14</a>)</div>
<div class="levI"><b>I. <u>THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST</u> (<span class="noTag">Col 1:15-23</span>)</b></div>
<div class="levA"><b>A. IN CREATION (<span class="noTag">Col 1:15-17</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. The image of the invisible God (<a id="si-Col 1:15" onClick="return mV('Col',1,15);">Col 1:15a</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. The first-born over all creation (<a id="si-Col 1:15b-17" onClick="return mV('Col',1,'15-17');">Col 1:15b-17</a>)</div>
<div class="levA"><b>B. IN REDEMPTION (<span class="noTag">Col 1:18-23</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. The head of the body, the church (<a id="si-Col 1:18" onClick="return mV('Col',1,18);">Col 1:18a</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. The beginning, the first-born from the dead (<a id="si-Col 1:18" onClick="return mV('Col',1,18);">Col 1:18b</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">3. That He might have preeminence in all things (<a id="si-Col 1:18" onClick="return mV('Col',1,18);">Col 1:18c</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a. In Whom all the fullness dwells (<a id="si-Col 1:19" onClick="return mV('Col',1,19);">Col 1:19</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b. In Whom all things are to be reconciled to God (<a id="si-Col 1:20" onClick="return mV('Col',1,20);">Col 1:20</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;c. The Colossians as a case in point (<b><a id="si-Col 1:21-23" onClick="return mV('Col',1,'21-23');">Col 1:21-23</a>)</div>
<div class="levI"><b>II. <u>THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST</u> (<span class="noTag">Col 1:24-2:7</span>)</b></div>
<div class="levA"><b>A. PAUL'S SERVICE (<span class="noTag">Col 1:24-29</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. His joy in suffering for them (<a id="si-Col 1:24" onClick="return mV('Col',1,24);">Col 1:24</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. His ministry (<span class="noTag">Col 1:25-29</span>)</div>
<div class="lev1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a. A stewardship to proclaim the mystery of God now revealed (<a id="si-Col 1:25-27" onClick="return mV('Col',1,'25-27');">Col 1:25-27</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b. A labor to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (<a id="si-Col 1:28-29" onClick="return mV('Col',1,28,29);">Col 1:28-29</a>)</div>
<div class="levA"><b>B. PAUL'S SOLICITUDE (<span class="noTag">Col 2:1-7</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. His great concern for them (<a id="si-Col 2:1-3" onClick="return mV('Col',2,1,2,3);">Col 2:1-3</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. Reasons for this concern (<a id="si-Col 2:4-5" onClick="return mV('Col',2,4,5);">Col 2:4-5</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">3. Exhortations to be firmly established in Christ (<a id="si-Col 2:6-7" onClick="return mV('Col',2,6,7);">Col 2:6-7</a>)</div>
<div class="levI"><b>III. <u>WARNINGS AGAINST THE "COLOSSIAN HERESY"</u> (<span class="noTag">Col 2:8-23</span>)</b></div>
<div class="levA"><b>A. WARNING AGAINST PHILOSOPHY (<span class="noTag">Col 2:8-10</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. Beware of being cheated by philosophy and empty deceit (<a id="si-Col 2:8" onClick="return mV('Col',2,8);">Col 2:8</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. In Christ dwells the fullness of God, and you are complete in Him (<a id="si-Col 2:9-10" onClick="return mV('Col',2,9,10);">Col 2:9-10</a>)</div>
<div class="levA"><b>B. WARNING AGAINST JUDAISTIC CEREMONIALISM (<span class="noTag">Col 2:11-17</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. In Christ you have a circumcision made without hands (<a id="si-Col 2:11-12" onClick="return mV('Col',2,11,12);">Col 2:11-12</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. You are made alive in Christ, and the handwriting of requirements that was against us has been taken away at the cross (<a id="si-Col 2:13-15" onClick="return mV('Col',2,'13-15');">Col 2:13-15</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">3. Therefore don't let anyone judge you in regards to food, festivals, or sabbath days (<a id="si-Col 2:16-17" onClick="return mV('Col',2,16,17);">Col 2:16-17</a>)</div>
<div class="levA"><b>C. WARNING AGAINST ANGEL WORSHIP (<span class="noTag">Col 2:18-19)</span></b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. Don't let anyone defraud you of your reward by appealing to angel worship and imagined visions of a fleshly mind (<a id="si-Col 2:18" onClick="return mV('Col',2,18);">Col 2:18</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. Such people do not hold fast to Christ as the Head, and from whom true divine nourishment comes (<a id="si-Col 2:19" onClick="return mV('Col',2,19);">Col 2:19</a>)</div>
<div class="levA"><b>D. WARNING AGAINST ASCETICISM (<span class="noTag">Col 2:20-23</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. Having died with Christ to the world, there is no need to submit to human ordinances (<a id="si-Col 2:20-22" onClick="return mV('Col',2,'20-22');">Col 2:20-22</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. While having appearances of wisdom, such practices have no value in controlling the indulgences of the flesh (<a id="si-Col 2:23" onClick="return mV('Col',2,23);">Col 2:23</a>)</div>
<div class="levI"><b>IV. <u>THE CHRISTIAN SOLUTION</u> (<span class="noTag">Col 3:1-4:6</span>)</b></div>
<div class="levA"><b>A. SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE (<span class="noTag">Col 3:1-4</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. Since you were raised with Christ, seek those things above (<a id="si-Col 3:1-2" onClick="return mV('Col',3,1,2);">Col 3:1-2</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. For you have died and your life is now hidden in Christ, to be revealed when He appears (<a id="si-Col 3:3-4" onClick="return mV('Col',3,3,4);">Col 3:3-4</a>)</div>
<div class="levA"><b>B. PUT OFF THE OLD MAN (<span class="noTag">Col 3:5-9</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. Put to death your members here on the earth, for the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience (<a id="si-Col 3:5-7" onClick="return mV('Col',3,'5-7');">Col 3:5-7</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. Put off the old man with his deeds (<a id="si-Col 3:8-9" onClick="return mV('Col',3,8,9);">Col 3:8-9</a>)</div>
<div class="levA"><b>C. PUT ON THE NEW MAN (<span class="noTag">Col 3:10-17</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. Put on the new man, renewed in the image of our Creator (<a id="si-Col 3:10-11" onClick="return mV('Col',3,10,11);">Col 3:10-11</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. As God's elect, put on Christ-like qualities (<a id="si-Col 3:12-14" onClick="return mV('Col',3,'12-14');">Col 3:12-14</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">3. Let God's peace rule in your hearts, and be thankful (<a id="si-Col 3:15" onClick="return mV('Col',3,15);">Col 3:15</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">4. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with song and singing with grace in your hearts (<a id="si-Col 3:16" onClick="return mV('Col',3,16);">Col 3:16</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">5. Do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, with thanksgiving (<a id="si-Col 3:17" onClick="return mV('Col',3,17);">Col 3:17</a>)</div>
<div class="levA"><b>D. FAMILIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (<span class="noTag">Col 3:18-4:1</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. Wives toward their husbands (<a id="si-Col 3:18" onClick="return mV('Col',3,18);">Col 3:18</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. Husbands toward their wives (<a id="si-Col 3:19" onClick="return mV('Col',3,19);">Col 3:19</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">3. Children toward their parents (<a id="si-Col 3:20" onClick="return mV('Col',3,20);">Col 3:20</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">4. Fathers toward their children (<a id="si-Col 3:21" onClick="return mV('Col',3,21);">Col 3:21</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">5. Servants toward their masters (<a id="si-Col 3:22-25" onClick="return mV('Col',3,'22-25');">Col 3:22-25</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">6. Masters toward their servants (<a id="si-Col 4:1" onClick="return mV('Col',4,1);">Col 4:1</a>)</div>
<div class="levA"><b>E. EXHORTATIONS TO PRAYER AND PROPER CONDUCT (<span class="noTag">Col 4:2-6</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. Devote yourselves to prayer (<a id="si-Col 4:2-4" onClick="return mV('Col',4,2,3,4);">Col 4:2-4</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. Walk in wisdom and let your speech be with grace (<a id="si-Col 4:5-6" onClick="return mV('Col',4,5,6);">Col 4:5-6</a>)</div>
<div class="levI"><b>V. <u>PAUL'S COMPANIONS</u> (<span class="noTag">Col 4:7-14</a>)</b></div>
<div class="levA"><b>A. COMMENDATIONS OF HIS MESSENGERS (<span class="noTag">Col 4:7-9</a>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. Tychicus, a faithful servant who will inform them of Paul's circumstances (<a id="si-Col 4:7-8" onClick="return mV('Col',4,7,8);">Col 4:7-8</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother (<a id="si-Col 4:9" onClick="return mV('Col',4,9);">Col 4:9</a>)</div>
<div class="levA"><b>B. GREETINGS FROM HIS FRIENDS (<span class="noTag">Col 4:10-14</span>)</b></div>
<div class="lev1">1. Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus, fellow workers for the kingdom of God (<a id="si-Col 4:10-11" onClick="return mV('Col',4,10,11);">Col 4:10-11</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">2. Epaphras, one of them, and a servant of Christ (<a id="si-Col 4:12-13" onClick="return mV('Col',4,12,13);">Col 4:12-13</a>)</div>
<div class="lev1">3. Luke the beloved physician, and Demas (<a id="si-Col 4:14" onClick="return mV('Col',4,14);">Col 4:14</a>)</div>
<div class="levI"><b>CONCLUSION (<span class="noTag">Col 4:15-18</span>)</b></div>
<div class="levA">1. Greetings to those in Laodicea, and to Nymphas and the church in his house (<a id="si-Col 4:15" onClick="return mV('Col',4,15);">Col 4:15</a>)</div>
<div class="levA">2. A command to read and exchange the epistles from Paul (<a id="si-Col 4:16" onClick="return mV('Col',4,16);">Col 4:16</a>)</div>
<div class="levA">3. A personal exhortation to Archippus (<a id="si-Col 4:17" onClick="return mV('Col',4,17);">Col 4:17</a>)</div>
<div class="levA">4. A personal signoff from the hand of Paul, with a request for remembrance and a prayer in their behalf (<a id="si-Col 4:18" onClick="return mV('Col',4,18);">Col 4:18</a>)</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;"><b>REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION</b></div>
<div class="levI"><b>1) Who had taught the Colossians the truth concerning God's grace? (<a id="si-Col 1:6-7" onClick="return mV('Col',1,6,7);">Col 1:6-7</a>)</b></div>
<div class="levA">- Epaphras</div>
<div class="levI"><b>2) From where and when did Paul write Colossians?</b></div>
<div class="levA">- From Rome, sometime around 61-63 A.D.</div>
<div class="levI"><b>3) What three other epistles were written about this time? What are the four epistles sometimes called?</b></div>
<div class="levA">- Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon</div>
<div class="levA">- The "prison epistles"</div>
<div class="levI"><b>3) What two potential dangers prompted the writing of this epistle?</b></div>
<div class="levA">- The danger of relapse into paganism with its gross immorality</div>
<div class="levA">- The danger of accepting the "Colossian heresy"</div>
<div class="levI"><b>4) What four elements make up the "Colossian Heresy"?</b></div>
<div class="levA">- Philosophies of men</div>
<div class="levA">- Judaistic ceremonialism</div>
<div class="levA">- Angel worship</div>
<div class="levA">- Asceticism</div>
<div class="levI"><b>5) What is the "theme" of this epistle?</b></div>
<div class="levA">- "Christ - the fullness of God, and the pre-eminent, all-sufficient Savior".</div>
<div class="levI"><b>6) What serves as the "key verses" of this epistle?</b></div>
<div class="levA">- <a id="si-Col 2:9-10" onClick="return mV('Col',2,9,10);">Col 2:9-10</a></div>
<div class="levI"><b>7) According to the outline above, what are the five main subject divisions in this epistle?</b></div>
<div class="levA">- The preeminence of Christ</div>
<div class="levA">- The apostle of Christ</div>
<div class="levA">- Warnings against the "Colossian Heresy"</div>
<div class="levA">- The Christian solution</div>
<div class="levA">- Paul's companions</div>
<p align="center" style="font-size:85%;margin-top:25px;">Executable Outlines, Copyright &copy Mark A. Copeland, 2003</p>
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<p class="bibliobox"><strong>Bibliographic Information:</strong><br>Author: Copeland, Mark A.<br>Title: "The Epistle to the Colossians"<br>Work: <em>Executable Outlines</em><br>Date Added: 28 Aug 2003<br>Source: Executable Outlines</p>
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