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Introduction to Colossians

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of Colossians

  1. Greeting, thanksgiving, and prayer (1:1-12)
  2. The person and work of Christ
    • Deliverance and redemption (1:13-14)
    • Christ: the Image of the invisible God, and the One who is over all creation (1:15-17)
    • Christ is the Head of the Church, and the Church trusts in him (1:18-2:7)
  3. Tests of faithfulness
    • Philosophical challenges (2:8-10)
    • Traditions and observances challenges (2:16,17)
    • Worship of angels opposed (2:18-19)
    • True godliness not rigid rules and unbending traditions (2:20-23)
  4. Teaching and Living
    • Life in Christ (3:1-4)
    • Old life and new (3:5-17)
    • Christian family (3:18-4:1)
  5. Christian behavior (4:2-6)
  6. Closing and greetings, in 4:7-18
    • Paul thanks Tychicus and Onesimus (4:7-9)
    • Paul sends greetings from his associates (4:10-14)
    • Paul gives directions to Archippus and the Christians in Laodicea (4:15-17)
    • Paul's personal greeting (4:18)

Who wrote Philippians?

Paul from the city of Tarsus was the author. He had been known as Saul in his early life. Before becoming a Christian, Paul was a Pharisee. He persecuted Christians. After he began to trust in Jesus Christ, he traveled several times throughout the Roman Empire telling people about Jesus.

Paul wrote this letter while in prison in Rome.

What is the Book of Colossians about?

Paul wrote this letter to the believers in the city of Colossae in Asia Minor. The main purpose of this letter was to defend the gospel against false teachers. He did this by praising Jesus as the image of God, the sustainer of all things, and the head of the church. Paul wanted them to understand that only Christ is needed for God to accept them.

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, "Colossians." Or they may choose a clearer title, such as "Paul's Letter to the Church in Colossae," or "A Letter to the Christians in Colossae." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names)

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

What were the religious issues that the church in Colossae struggled with?

In the church in Colossae, there were false teachers. Their exact teaching is unknown. But they probably taught their followers to worship angels and to obey strict rules about religious ceremonies. They probably also taught that a person must be circumcised and can only eat certain types of food. Paul said these teachings came from the minds of men not from God.

How did Paul use the imagery of heaven and earth?

In this letter, Paul frequently spoke of heaven as above. He distinguished it from the earth, which Scripture speaks of as being below. The purpose of this imagery was to teach Christians to live in a way that honors God who lives above in heaven. Paul is not teaching that the earth or the physical world is evil. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil)

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

How are the ideas of "holy" and "sanctify" represented in Colossians in the ULB?

The scriptures use such words to indicate any one of various ideas. For this reason, it is often difficult for translators to represent them well in their versions. In Colossians, these words usually indicate a simple reference to Christians without implying any particular role filled by them. So Colossians in the ULB uses "believer" or "believers." (See: 1:2, 12, 26)

Was Jesus created or is he eternal?

Jesus was not a created being but has always existed as God. Jesus is God and he became a human being. There is potential for confusion in Colossians 1:15 where it says Jesus "is the firstborn of all creation." This statment means that Jesus is dominant over all of creation. It does not mean that he was the first thing God created. Translators should be careful not to imply that Jesus is a created being.

What does Paul mean by the expression "in Christ," "in the Lord," etc.?

Paul meant to express the idea of a very close union with Christ and the believers. Please see the introduction to the book of Romans for more details about this kind of expression.

What are the major issues in the text of the Book of Colossians?

The following are the most significant textual issues in the Book of Colossians:

  • "May grace be to you, and peace from God our Father" (1:2). The ULB, UDB, and many other modern versions have this reading. Some older versions have a longer reading: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
  • "Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf" (1:7). Many versions, including the ULB and UDB, have this reading. However, other versions read "for you": "Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, a faithful servant of Christ for you." If other versions exist in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions.
  • "the Father, who has made you able to have a share in the inheritance of the believers in light" (1:12). The ULB and UDB have this reading. However, some other versions have "the Father, who has qualified us for a share in the inheritance in light." If other versions exist in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions.
  • "In his Son we have redemption." (1:14) The ULB, UDB, and many other modern versions have this reading. Some older versions read: "In his Son we have redemption through his blood."
  • "and forgave us all of our trespasses" (2:13). The ULB, UDB, and many other modern versions have this reading. Some older versions read: "and forgave you all of your trespasses."
  • "When Christ appears, who is your life" (3:4). The ULB, UDB, and many other modern versions have this reading. Some older versions read: "When Christ appears, who is our life."
  • "It is for these things that the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience." (3:6) The ULB, UDB, and many other modern versions have this reading. However, other modern versions read, "It is for these things that the wrath of God is coming." If other versions exist in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions.
  • "I sent him to you for this, that you might know the matters about us." (4:8) The ULB, UDB, and most other modern versions have this reading. Some older versions read, "I sent him to you for this, that he might know the matters about you."

(See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants)