COLOSSIANS
INTRO QUESTIONS
Who wrote this?,
To whom was it written?
When was it written?
In what style was it written?,
What is the main theme of the book?
Read through the entire book from start to finish (at least once).
You can use a commentator’s notes (or the ESV Study
Bible book introduction information) to help shape what the
book is saying and take notes that you’ll refer back to.
Stop and look up words in the dictionary as needed.
Be patient. Read and reread the text, looking for new things.
Pray before, during and after reading.
CHAPTER 1: Greeting on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our Preeminence of Christ
brother, 9
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray
2
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His
will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good
Their Faith in Christ
work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all
3
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and
praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified
and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has
for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the
the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption
and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from
15
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16
Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on
earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of
principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for which I, Paul, became a minister.
Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18
Sacrificial Service for Christ
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the
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I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is
firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the
Reconciled in Christ
church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship
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For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26
and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but
on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make
His cross. known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the
21
Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by
preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that
wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh
we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also
through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach
labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and
steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which
8
CHAPTER 2: Not Philosophy but Christ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit,
according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of
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For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those
the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the
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in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is
that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love,
the head of all principality and power.
and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the
knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in Not Legalism but Christ
whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 11
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made
4
Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the
words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also
rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised
Christ. Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the
uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him,
6
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in
having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting
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Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you
of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He
have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having
disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and
triumphing over them in it. neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the
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flesh.
So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a
new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the
substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking
delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those
things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19
and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished
and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the
increase that is from God.
20
Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the
world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to
regulations—21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all
concern things which perish with the using—according to the
commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an
CHAPTER 3: Not Carnality but Christ put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the
image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew,
1
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are
circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but
above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind
Christ is all and in all.
3
on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life
is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, Character of the New Man
then you also will appear with Him in glory. 12
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender
5
Therefore put to death your members which are on the mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with
earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint
covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But
God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15
once walked when you lived in them. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were
called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in
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But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice,
you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in
blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts
10
another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have
to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name CHAPTER 4:
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
1
Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that
The Christian Home you also have a Master in heaven.
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Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Christian Graces
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Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 2
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3
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Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the
the Lord. word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4
that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
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Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
5
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6
22
Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh,
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may
not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing
know how you ought to answer each one.
God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to
men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the Final Greetings
inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong 7
Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the
will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for
this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church
your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who that is in his house.
is one of you. They will make known to you all things
Closing Exhortations and Blessing
which are happening here.
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Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the
10
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of
church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from
Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you,
Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which
welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only
you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision;
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This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains.
they have proved to be a comfort to me.
Grace be with you. Amen.
12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you,
always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect
and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has
a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in
Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet
