Our newest "Growing in the Word study" is within the book of Colossians! I was questioning what we could learn about next after learning the four dimensions of Christianity; God, Man, the Word, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit invited me to read Colossians in my own study time, so thank you, Father, for pointed us to this brilliant letter by Paul.
Now before I do any study of a book in particular, I like to go through the "who, what, when, where, why" checklist to get a better understanding of the book (W^5). Thank you to my dear husband, pastors at Iglesia Bautista Central, and the "Search the Word" study by The Daily Grace Company for these study tips!
Who: Paul wrote this letter while in prison in Rome
What: It's a letter to Christians
Where: These Christians were living in Colossae
When: Around A.D 62, while he was in prison shortly before death
Why: There were lots of false teachers roaming about in their group of Christians and teaching Christ as a lesser role, so Paul writes this letter to warn about false teachers, and anything that is said against the authority and holiness of God and Christ himself.
(This information gathered from my ESV Study Bible.)
Now that we have a deeper understanding of this book, let's dive in slowly and surely. Before you go into any study, remember to pray to the Author, thanking Him for this time, and asking Him to open your heart to His words.
In the first chapter of Colossians, we see some key points and themes already presented, especially representing the "Why" that we just looked at.
Who saved Christians and from what were we saved. 1:4-8, 1;15-23
Who saved Christians? Christ Jesus, the Son of God, Son of Man, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! Paul reminds them this and how important and lovely it is that they continue to "bear fruit" and increase listening and teaching the Gospel of Truth. In verse 15, he goes on to remind them exactly who Jesus is and how He is the biggest role there is (the only role) for glory and honor. How amazing is it that our Christ who died for us is the "beginning," and "all things were created through him and for him?" (vr 15, 18) He brought us out of the "domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the beloved Son" (vr. 12). That is a MAJOR deal! We were sick, dead with sin, and with no hope - absolutely no hope - yet God in all of His might and power, saved His chosen to be part of His kingdom.
We need to live daily remembering this. Knowing that He is the one who took us out of darkness. Something I love that Paul points out is he fully expects the Colossian believers to continue in the faith (vr 23). He says "in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven and of which I, Paul, became a minister." This is so crucial to this whole book, the whole Bible! We must keep living in the manner that is glorifying God, remembering the facts stated before about who He is and how He is worth the worship, and obeying His commands and law.
In the end of the chapter, Paul begins the warnings of false teachings and false teachers. He says they misinterpret "God's mystery" when in fact "God's mystery" is Christ! His name should not be lessened. The more we dive into this book we will see more clearly of what all of this entails.
Things that we can take with us after diving into Colossians 1:
There is one true King who is worthy of true worship and praise, Jesus Christ.
Those who continue in the faith, who have been born again in Him have a beautiful inheritance waiting for us.
False teachings are not prohibited in the Kingdom.
