Overview

Colossians is Paul's magnificent defence of the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. The church at Colossae was being threatened by a philosophy that combined Jewish observance, angel worship and ascetic practices with Christian belief — effectively suggesting that faith in Christ needed to be supplemented by additional spiritual disciplines or cosmic powers. Paul's answer is sweeping and clear: in Christ the fullness of God dwells bodily, and believers are complete in Him. Nothing needs to be added.

Authorship and background

Paul wrote this letter during his imprisonment, probably in Rome around AD 60–62, at the same time as Ephesians and Philemon. The Colossian church had likely been founded not by Paul himself but by Epaphras, one of his co-workers, who brought Paul news of the congregation and its challenges. Paul had not personally visited the church when he wrote, which makes his intimate knowledge of their situation all the more striking.

Christ at the centre

The Christological hymn of chapter 1 is one of the most exalted portraits of Jesus in the entire Bible. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church and the beginning of the new creation. This is not a Christ who needs supplementing — He is the one in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. The practical sections of chapters 3 and 4 flow from this: since you have been raised with Christ, set your minds on things above.

Key verses

"For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, and in him you are made full." (Colossians 2:9–10, WEB) "Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth." (Colossians 3:2, WEB) "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men." (Colossians 3:23, WEB)

Main themes

The absolute supremacy of Christ over all creation and all spiritual powers. Fullness of life found in Christ alone. Warning against hollow philosophy and human tradition. The new life in Christ expressed in the home, the workplace and the community. Prayer, wisdom and making the most of every opportunity.

For us today

Colossians speaks directly into a culture saturated with spirituality that is not centred on Christ. We are surrounded by voices offering additional techniques, practices or insights to supplement our faith. Paul's answer is the same today as it was in the first century: Christ is enough. He is not a starting point or a component in a larger spiritual system — He is the fullness of God in bodily form and the one in whom we are complete. That is not a restriction but a liberation.