Brian Maiers
11/14/02
Religion 314
Presentation
The Theology of Colossians
The city of Colossae was not one that was visited by Paul on any of his missionary journeys. However the city was affected by his ministry in Ephesus and heard the gospel through Epaphrus (1:7), who was a co-worker with Paul on some level.[1] The letter was most likely to a primarily gentile congregation.[2] The letter could be Paul coming to the aid of Epaphrus by combating false and heretical teaching in the Colossian church.[3] It is considered a deuto-pauline writing. It is possible that it was constructed by using Ephesians as a source. There are 73 verbal parallels between Colossians and Ephesians.[4]
One problem that scholars have had is whether or not there was a definite heretical teaching to address this is because the writer never specifically addresses the Colossians the way he addresses Galatia, who was in that situation. From the content of the letter it is possible that there was pressure from ascetic Jews and mystic cults.[5]
There are two main theological themes in the book of Colossians;. the person and work of Jesus Christ and the believers new life in Christ.[6] 1:15-20 is a famous Christological Hymn. It displays Christ’s supremacy, and how all of gods fullness dwelt in him. It goes beyond similar NT passages by stating that Christ was not only present during creation but also he was the instrument in which creation happened. Stating that creation did not happen apart from Christ.[7] It also defines Christ as the sustainer of Creation. (v.17)[8]
Christ is also show as supreme in salvation. In verses 14 and 20, Christ’s salvation is displayed as being redemptive and also as a reconciliation of all of creation to God.[9] The work of Christ on the cross is depicted violently by not only canceling the debt of sin and destroying the IOU by nailing it on the cross. (2:14-15)[10] His work on the cross has “disarmed the cosmic authority to enslave the human race.” (2:20-22)[11]
Colossians shows the believers new life in Christ as
an emphasis between a theological proclamation and moral commands.[12] Also another theological emphasis is the believer’s life in Christ. The epistle shows how the Christian’s identity is bound to Christ and his life.[13] There is an acknowledgement of Christ’s lord ship on all aspects of life; in work (3:17) and in relationships with others (3:18-22) Also the verses 3:9-11 display that in Christ there is not only no distinction between Jew and Gentile but those distinctions cannot exist.[14]
Cranford,
Lorin. “Relationships Among the Prison Letters”
http://www.cranfordville.com/paul-pris.htm:
11/11/02
Cranford,
Lorin. “List of Epistolary Divisions in Paul’s Letters”
http://www.cranfordville.com/R314frame.htm:
11/11/92
Harris,
M.J. “Colossians.” New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, ed. T. Desmond
Alexander, 322- 26. Downers Grove, Illinois:
Intervarsity Press. 2000
Lincoln,
Andrew T. “The Letter to the Colossians” New Interpreters Bible vol.XI,
Nashville, TN: Abington Press, 2000.
O,Brein,
Peter T. Word Biblical Commentary: Colossians and Philemon. Waco Texas:
Word Book Publishers, 1982
Rolston,
Holmes. The Social Message of the Apostle Paul. Richmond Virgina: John
Knox
Press, 1942
1 O,Brein, Peter T. Word Biblical Commentary: Colossians and Philemon. Waco Texas: Word Book
Publishers, 1982. xxvi
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid, xxx
[4] Cranford, Lorin. “Relationships Among the Prison Letters” http://www.cranfordville.com/paul-pris.htm:
11/11/02
[5] O, Brein, xxxviii
[6] Harris, M.J. “Colossians.” New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, 322- 26.
Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press. 2000, 332
[7] O Brien, 45
[8] Harris, 322
[9] Ibid
[10] Harris, 323
[11] Ibid
[12] Lincoln, Andrew T. “The Letter to the Colossians” New Interpreters Bible vol.XI, Nashville, TN:
Abington Press, 2000. 324
[13] Ibid
[14] Rolston, Holmes. The Social Message of the Apostle Paul. Richmond Virgina: John Know Press, 1942.
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