Revised by Elisabeth Johnson, 12/23
1. Salutation and Address (Colossians 1:1-2)
This section and the closing verses (4:7-18) form a ring around the letter. Here, PaulThe Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was the author of several New Testament letters and the founder of many Christian communities. and Timothy greet those “in Christ” in the city of Colossae and give an opening blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God’s favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God..
2. Thanksgiving and Intercession (Colossians 1:3-12)
These opening prayers express thanksgiving to God for the faith, love, and hope demonstrated by the Colossians (1:3-8) and intercede on behalf of the Colossians for their continued spiritual growth (1:9-12).
3. The Sovereignty of God’s Beloved Son (Colossians 1:13-20)
Drawing upon a hymn or confession about Christ, the letter describes Jesus as the one through whom God delivers, as God’s firstborn before creationCreation, in biblical terms, is the universe as we know or perceive it. Genesis says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. In the book of Revelation (which speaks of end times) the author declares that God created all things and… and as God’s firstborn from the dead.
4. Proclaiming God’s MysteryA mystery is something secret, hidden and not perceived by ordinary means. In the book of Daniel a significant mystery is revealed through divine revelation (Daniel 2); Paul speaks of a mystery of God in Romans 11 and again in Ephesians 3. In speaking of…: Christ (Colossians 1:21-2:5)
Paul rejoices in his sufferings for the sake of the gospel, in his calling to make known the mystery of God, a mystery that has been hidden for ages and generations and that God has now chosen to make known among the nations. Christ himself is the knowledge of God’s mystery.
5. Christ’s Sovereignty over Rulers and Powers (Colossians 2:6-19)
In its thematic and structural center (2:10b-15), the letter declares that in Christ, “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,” and that in baptismJesus was baptized (literally, “dipped”) in the Jordan River by John the Baptizer, at which time he was acclaimed from heaven as God’s Son, the Beloved. Much later baptism became one of the sacraments of the Church, the action by which a person is incorporated…, believers have been buried and raised together with Christ. Just before this declaration is an exhortation to walk in Christ; an exhortation to grow in Christ follows the declaration.
6. Identity with Christ’s Death and Resurrection (Colossians 2:20-3:17)
Believers have died with Christ and been raised with him. Readers are instructed therefore to put to death their earthly members, having themselves been clothed with the new self, chosen and beloved by God, and being renewed in the image of the Creator.
7. Living in Community under Christ’s Sovereignty (Colossians 3:18-4:1)
Instructions for community life are addressed to wives and husbands, then to children and parents, and finally to slaves and masters.
8. Closing Instructions (Colossians 4:2-6)
The Colossians are told to persevere in thanksgiving and intercession, to walk in wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, “The fear of the…, and to speak graciously.
9. Closing Greetings, Signature, and Blessing (Colossians 4:7-18)
The letter concludes with personal greetings followed by a final word claiming to be written in Paul’s own hand.
