NT SURVEY || UNIT - 3 || LESSON - 5 || COLOSSIANS || I & II THESSALONIANS ||

 

COLOSSIANS

INTRODUCTION

The Book of Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul about A.D. 60-62, while

he was imprisoned in Rome. One purpose was to correct the heresy that had sprung

up in the Asian city of Colosse. Colosse was in the Lycus Valley, about 100 miles east of Ephesus in Asia Minor. Its name is possibly derived from Colossus, a large statue, " which in turn may have been named for the unusual shape of stony deposits there. Colosse is about 12 miles from Hierapolis and Laodicea, the other two cities of that valley (see the location of these three on the map between Acts and Rom.). The area was rich in mineral deposits and was also subject to frequent earthquakes. Rich pasturelands were nearby. Several references in Colossians indicate that Paul had not visited the city (Col. 1:7; 2:1; 4:12).

 

Author:-

The Pauline authorship of Colossians is supported by abundant evidence

both in and out of the book. Colossians has three personal references to Paul in the

first person (1:1; 1:23; 4:18) and numerous references to Paul's associates, such as

Tychicus (4:7), Onesimus (4:9), Aristarchus (4:10), Mark (4:10), Justus (4:11),

Epaphras (4:12), Luke (4:14), Demas (4:14), and Archippus (4:17). The style and

content of Colossians is similar to Ephesians, written about the same time and

probably alluded to as "the letter from Laodicea" (4:16).

 

Date and Place of Writing:

Colossians was written from Rome during Paul's (first) imprisonment there, as recorded in Acts 28:30. At the same time Paul wrote Ephesians and Philemon (ca. A.D. 60-62). In Philemon 1, 9 Paul referred to himself as "a prisoner of Christ Jesus." Ephesians also contains references to Paul being a "prisoner" (Eph. 3:1; 4:1). And Ephesians refers to Tychicus carrying the epistles from Paul to their destinations (Eph. 6:21; cf. Col. 41). Since the record of Acts ends around A.D. 60-62, Colossians was probably written during this two year imprisonment. And since neither Colossians, Ephesians, nor Philemon mention the outcome of Paul's trial, anticipated in e as Philippians 1:19-21, it can be that Colossians was written before Philippians.

 

Occasion:-

The circumstance which prompted the writing of Colossians seemed to

be the special heresy that arose there. This false teaching seemed to be the

beginning of what later (in the second century) developed into Gnosticism. It

contained several characteristics. (1) It was Jewish, stressing the need for

observing Old Testament laws and ceremonies. (2) It was philosophical, laying emphasis on some special or deeper knowledge (gnosis). (3) It involved the worship of angels as mediators to God (2:18). (4) It was exclusivistic, stressing the special privilege and "perfection" of those select few who belonged to this philosophical elite. (5) It was also Christological. But this seminal Gnosticism denied the deity of Christ, thus calling forth one of the greatest declarations of Christ's deity found anywhere in Scripture (1:15-16; 2:9).

Purposes:-

Three purposes seem to have been in Paul's mind as he wrote Colossians. First, he sought to show the deity and supremacy of Christ in the face of the Colossian heresy (1:18; 2:9). Second, he wanted to lead believers into

spiritual maturity (1:20; 2:0-7). Third, he wanted to inform them about his state of

affairs and elicited their prayers on his behalf (4:2-8)

 

OUTLINE

I. Doctrinal: Deeper Life in Christ (1:1-2:7)

A. Greetings (1:1-2)

B. Thanksgiving (1:3-8)

C. Petition (1914),

D. Exaltation of Christ (1:15-20)

E. Reconciliation by Christ (1:21-23)

F. Revelation of the mystery of Christ (1:24-27)

G. Perfection in Christ (1:28- 29)

H. Education (Wisdom's) in Christ (2:1-5)

I. Exhortation to live in Christ (2:6-7)

II. Polemical: Higher Life in Christ (2:8-23)

A. “Gnosticism” is wrong: deity is in Christ (2:8-10)

B. Legalism is wrong: reality is in Christ (2:11-17)

C. Mysticism is wrong: headship is in Christ (2:18-19)

D. Asceticism is wrong: immunity is in Christ (2:20-23)

III. Spiritual: Inner Life in Christ (3:1-17)

A. Seeking spiritual values (3:1-4)

B. Putting off the sins of the old life (3:5-11)

C. Putting on the virtues of the new life (3:12-17)

IV. Practical: Outer Life in Christ (3:18-4:18)

A. Perfecting one's private life (3:18-4:1)

B. Perfecting one's prayer life (4:2-4)

C. Perfecting one's public life (4:5-6)

D. Perfecting one's personal life (4:7-17)

E. Salutation (4:18)

I THESSALONIANS

 

The writer, the book, the church, and the city:

Once again, Paul is the writer and God is the author. The book was written from Corinth in about AD 53-54 on Paul’s second missionary journey. After his release from imprisonment at Philippi, Paul and his companions had travelled to Thessalonica, the great commercial center and capital city of Macedonia. Facing great opposition there he was still able to found what was the second Christian church in Europe. Harassed by the Judaisers he then fled to Athens where he dispatched Timothy back to Thessalonica to strengthen them against the growing persecution there. Timothy rejoined him at Corinth with a good report, and Paul then wrote this letter to commend them for their stalwart stand for Christ and their dedication to one another. In addition, he also encouraged them to continued growth in love and holiness. In this epistle Paul lays his very heart bare to his Christian brethren in the Thessalonian church.

Main theme: The Second Coming of Christ.

Outline:

I. THE PAST- Personal reflections. (chs. 1 - 3)

II. THE FUTURE- Practical exhortations. (chs. 4 - 5)

 

 

II THESSALONIANS

 

The writer, the book, the church, and the city:

Once again, Paul is the writer and God is the author. This second letter to the Thessalonians was written only a few months after the first letter and is the shortest of all of Paul’s epistles to the churches. See the intro to I Thessalonians for more information on the church and the city.

 

Purpose of the letter:

Evidently there were still some misunderstanding among the Thessalonian Christians concerning the Second Coming of Christ. Believing that the Day of the Lord was already at hand, that misunderstanding had led to further errors in the area of Christian living. Some evidently believed that since the Lord was coming back any second, then they were justified in quitting work and were simply sitting around idle waiting for Him to come and take them away. This idleness then led to other sins including being busybodies. (Unnecessarily inquisitive in and meddling in the affairs of others.) It has been truly said that “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” This evidently was abundantly true in those idle hands in Thessalonica. Paul addresses this problem and admonishes them to get busy. He also instructs them more perfectly as to the Second Coming and the details surrounding it and what they should do while waiting for that day.

 

Main teachings concerning Christian living:

The key thoughts in this respect are courage, calmness, and industry.

Main subject of the book: The main subject of the book is The Second Coming of Christ.

 

Outline of the book:

 

CHRIST’S RETURN

I. COMFORT FROM THE HOPE OF IT (ch. 1)

II. CAUTION ON THE TIME OF IT (ch. 2)

III. COMMANDS IN THE LIGHT OF IT (ch. 3)