The Book of
Colossians 1
29 verses≈ 5 min3 peopleBSB
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In this chapter
Where we are
- 1Christ firstImage of God, head of the churchChapter 1
- 2Complete in HimNothing needs adding to Christ
- 3–4:6Raised with HimNew life at home and at work
- 4:7–18FriendsNews, greetings, a signature
Greetings from Paul and Timothy
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
Colossians 1:1–2
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Thanksgiving and Prayer
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints—
Stylised map · locations approximate
On the map
From Ephesus up the valley
Paul had never visited Colossae. But during his three years or so in Ephesus, two of them teaching daily, the word of the Lord spread through the whole province of Asia (Acts 19:10). Epaphras, one of the Colossians’ own, probably heard it there and carried it home, more than a hundred miles east up the Lycus valley.
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Paul’s prayer
Whiteboard
Paul’s prayer starts with knowing God’s will and ends in a whole life. Knowing leads to walking; walking bears fruit; God’s own power keeps it going through hard days. And the end of it all is joy: thanks to the Father, who made us fit to share the inheritance of His people.
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son
Colossians 1:13–14
Pray
Out of the dark
God “has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Thank Him today for that rescue, by name and in your own words. Then pray Paul’s prayer for someone you love: that they would be filled “with the knowledge of His will” and walk “in a manner worthy of the Lord.”
The Supremacy of the Son
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.
0:45
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Colossians 1:15
All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16–17
For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him
Colossians 1:19–20
Creator and Redeemer
Whiteboard
The hymn sings of the Son twice over. He is the Creator: everything was made through Him and for Him, and He holds it all together. And He is the Redeemer: head of the church, the first to rise from the dead. The Son, “the image of the invisible God,” is Lord over all creation and first in the new creation.
Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence—
if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Question
Quick question
Colossians 1:15–20 may be one of the earliest Christian hymns about Jesus.
According to Colossians 1, what holds all things together?
Paul’s Suffering for the Church
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church. I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints.
Christ in you, the hope of glory
Colossians 1:27
We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.
Reflect
Christ in you
The Son who made the stars and holds all things together has made His home in ordinary believers: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Where do you most need to remember that today? Is there someone you could tell about Him this week, as Epaphras told his own town?
You’ve experienced
Colossians 1
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A verse to carry with you
All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16–17
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