Colossians
Audience
Paul and Timothy address the saints and faithful brethren in Christ at Colosse. The letter presents Christ's sufficiency and supremacy, warns against teaching that displaces Him, and describes the conduct of those who have put on the new man.
Key References
Explore the Structure
Explore the structure of each book.
| Section | Focus | Connection to the whole |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving and prayer Colossians 1:1–14 Interpretation | Growth in the knowledge of God | Paul responds to the church's faith and love with prayer for a worthy walk, fruitfulness, and endurance. |
| Christ and Paul's ministry Colossians 1:15–29 Interpretation | Reconciliation and mature believers | Christ's preeminence and reconciling work explain the message and purpose of Paul's labour among the Gentiles. |
| Continue in Christ Colossians 2:1–23 Interpretation | Fulness, baptism, and freedom from false demands | Paul warns against rival teaching by grounding the readers in Christ, His fulness, and their relationship to His death and resurrection. |
| The new life practiced Colossians 3:1–4:6 Interpretation | Conduct, relationships, and witness | The readers are called to seek things above and put away the old conduct, applying the new life to households, work, prayer, and speech. |
| Messengers and greetings Colossians 4:7–18 Interpretation | Fellow workers and perseverance | The closing names and instructions reveal the wider fellowship supporting the church and its continued obedience. |
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.