Colossians Outline & Topic

BIB332 - Dr Tom Hau" - Multnomah University PM Richardson 1

1. Colossians Outline
I. Address (1:1-2a)
II. Knowledge of Gods Will (1:2b-23)
A. Opening (1:2b)
B. Prayers of Thanksgiving (1:3-8)
C. Prayers of Petition (1:9-12)
D. Christs Nature (1:13-23)
III. Pauls Labor (1:24-2:5)
IV. Walk in Christ (2:6-4:6)
A. Opening (2:6-8)
B. Made Alive with the Lord Jesus Christ (2:9-15)
C. No One Is to Judge by Behavior (2:16-19)
D. Live in the True Light of Christ Alone (2:20-3:17)
E. Right Societal Roles (3:18-4:1)
F. Final Words on Christian Conduct (4:2-6)
V. Pauls A"airs and Salutations (4:7-18)
A. The Messengers of Pauls A"airs (4:7-9)
B. Greetings to and from Colossae (4:10-15)
C. Final Instructions (4:16-17)
D. Salutations (4:18)

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2. Topic Statement and Defense
As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him -Colossians 2:6
Paul focuses on a short list of themes in this epistle: theology (who is God?), the
gospel (Gods work to save sinners), and the Christian life (applying the above truths
to ones life). So, the topic of the book is aptly stated in chapter two, verse six: As you
have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. All aspects of Pauls letter fall
under these three categories - except the letters heading and conclusion, which are
typical within the genre of epistle. From top to bottom, it will be shown that Colossians
is written within this central theme.
After I: Address (1:1-2a), Pauls rst order of business is the Knowledge of Gods
Will ((II) 1:2b-23). His rst words to the church at Colossae are Grace to you and
peace from God our Father (1:2b). This opening section is initiated with a statement of
gospel truth and theology: the church is given grace and peace (to be explained as the
epistle continues) from the supreme deity, who is the Father of all Christians. As Paul
continues in II-B: Prayers of Thanksgiving (1:3-8) and II-C: Prayers of Petition (1:9-12),
he explains the signicance of theology and gospel: that the Colossians will walk in a
manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him...bearing fruit...and increasing in the knowl-
edge of God (1:10). Consequently, the e"ective work of the gospel and true theologi-
cal knowledge result in right Christian living. This ow of thought (gospel to theology to
Christian life) is present both in this section and the book as a whole, which is seen in
the next division. II-D: Christs Nature (1:13-23) is six and a half heavy-laden sentences
of gospel truth theology, culminating in one caveat: if indeed you continue in the faith
rmly established and steadfast (2:23a). The theology and gospel that overow in
Colossians Outline & Topic
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vv13-22 come to a halt in v23: none of this knowledge matters if the Colossians do not
persevere in keeping with Gods work. This paradigm (lengthy theology and gospel with
a short statement on Christian life) will reverse as the book continues, as this division
prepares the readers for the litany of exhortations to come in section IV: Walk in Christ
(2:6-4:6).
Before Paul commands the Colossians on their Christian living, Paul gives his own
example as a preface of sorts in III: Pauls Labor (1-24-2:5). Paul shares his joyful dis-
position regarding his su"ering on behalf of Christ and the church (v24), his authority
and task as minister (vv25-29), and his goals as a church leader (vv2:1-5). This section
is best summarized by verse 1:28 we proclaim Him, admonishing...and teaching every
man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. This is the
goal of Pauls labor: that people hear Christ-centered theology and the truth of the
gospel and consequently live new lives in Christ. Not only does Paul encourage Chris-
tians in Colossae through his perseverance in su"ering, but (more importantly in the
context), he essentially introduces himself as a church authority gure and prepares
them for his next section of teaching and commands.
In IV: Walk in Christ (2:6-4:6), the major theme is that the Colossians are not to be
swayed by worldly philosophy, but to put aside the old self and set on the mind heav-
enly things. In IV-A: Opening (2:6-8), Paul summarizes the basic message of section
four: As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him...see to it that no one
takes you captive...according to the tradition of men...rather than according to
Christ (2:6-8). The captivity is not in question, it is to whom the Colossians are captive:
to worldly things (in this case, empty philosophy) or to Christ. This captivity is de-
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scribed in IV-B: Made Alive with the Lord Jesus Christ (2:9-15), in which Paul lays out
the gospel theology which motivates the Christian life. Paul brings to mind Christs
headship, amongst other things rst noted in II-D: Christs Nature (1:13-23). However,
now Paul heavily focuses on the gospel truth that Christians have taken from burial to
resurrection (v12); death to live (v12); indebted to forgiven (vv13-14) with Christ, leading
into the therefore of IV-C: No One Is to Judge by Behavior (2:16-19).
Now that the Colossians have an example of the Christian life (Pauls labor) and
ample motivation for action (the gospel), Paul begins his instructions by addressing the
issue of judgment and self-made religion. Paul commands:let no one keep defrauding
you of your prize (2:18). It seems that the work of Christ is being undermined by hu-
man religion in Colossae; surely this would never have be the case if the cause for ac-
tion was always gospel gratefulness (1:3, 12; 2:6; 3:15-17; 4:2). Paul continues with
more commands in IV-D: Live in the True Light of Christ Alone (2:20-3:17), saying if
you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above (3:1). That is to
say: you have been saved! So, do not get distracted with worldliness. From 3:1-17,
Paul gives many gospel-inspired exhortations to these sidetracked members of Christs
body before continuing into IV-E Right Societal Roles (3:18-4:1) and IV-F Final Words
on Christian Conduct (4:2-6), which continue in the aspect of walking from as you
have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. Then, Paul concludes the letter
with V: Pauls A!airs and Salutations (4:7-18).
Pauls focus on the themes of theology (who is God?), the gospel (Gods work to
save sinners), and the Christian life (applying the above truths to ones life) have been
shown throughout Colossians. All aspects of Pauls letter have fallen under these three
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categories of discourse, both locally to the Colossians, and canonically to us today. So,
Colossians is all about chapter two, verse six: As you have received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk in Him.