1

Directions:
This is a booklet to aid you in your personal study of this book. Read through the text frst, discovering
Gods precious truths for yourself. Write down the main point of each section of text in the space provided.
The text is provided for you to mark, color, and highlight things you fnd interesting and important. Use the
margins on each side of the text and the backside of the page to make notations of the truths you discover
and passages you do not understand. When you believe you have seen all there is in text, read and answer
the questions in the booklet pertaining to that section of text. The questions are not an exhaustive list of
things to look for in the text. The questions are to help you consider the points that the author was trying
to convey to his audience. Be prepared to share your fndings in class.
Background:
Colossians is one of the four letters written during Pauls frst imprisonment in Rome. Paul wrote this letter
around 60-62 A.D. Colosse was a small city during the time of Paul, lying about 11 miles away from Laodicea,
100 miles inland from the coastal town of Ephesus. This area was a meeting point of East and West because
an important trade route passed through there.
Introduction:
1. Do a casual quick reading of the book in one sitting to get a feel of the overall message. It is best to use the
included text so that you can make notations freely! Use colored pencils to highlight and make notations
but do not dwell too long on any one text since your purpose is to get an overview. As you read, do the
following exercises:
What appears to be the main theme of this letter?
2. What appears to be Pauls main topic in each of the following sections:
1:3-12--
1:13-2:4--
2:6-3:4--
3:5-4:6--
4:7-4:18--
3. Outline the structure of this letter:
Author:
Recipients:
Salutation:
Thanksgiving:
Body of letter:
Closing:
Greeting:
COLOSSIANS SURVEY
2
HCSB
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by Gods will, and
Timothy our brother: 2 To the saints and faithful
brothers in Christ in Colossae. Grace to you and
peace from God our Father.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 for we have
heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you
have for all the saints 5 because of the hope reserved
for you in heaven. You have already heard about |this
hope| in the message of truth, 6 the gospel that has
come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over
the world, just as it has among you since the day you
heard it and recognized Gods grace in the truth. 7
You learned this from Epaphras, our much loved
fellow slave. He is a faithful minister of the Messiah
on your behalf, 8 and he has told us about your love
in the Spirit.
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard
this, we havent stopped praying for you. We are
asking that you may be flled with the knowledge of
His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully
pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work
and growing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you
be strengthened with all power, according to His
glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with
joy 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled
you to share in the saints inheritance in the light. 13
He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and
transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of
sins.
1:1-14 Main point:_______________________________________________________________
Make additional notes at left and below:
1. What things is Paul giving thanks concerning?
2. What is Paul praying to God for the Colossian Christians concerning? How can we attain the same attributes?
3. Explain what we have in Christ (1:11-14).
ESV
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of
God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and
faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you
and peace from God our Father.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard
of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that
you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope
laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard
before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which
has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is
bearing fruit and growingas it also does among
you, since the day you heard it and understood the
grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from
Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful
minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made
known to us your love in the Spirit.
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not
ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be
flled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual
wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a
manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him,
bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in
the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened
with all power, according to his glorious might,
for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving
thanks to the Father, who has qualifed you to share
in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has
delivered us from the domain of darkness and
transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness
of sins.
COLOSSIANS
3
ESV
1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the
frstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things
were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers
or authoritiesall things were created through him
and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and
in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the
head of the body, the church. He is the beginning,
the frstborn from the dead, that in everything he
might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness
of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to
reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or
in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and
hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now
reconciled in his body of fesh by his death, in
order to present you holy and blameless and above
reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue
in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from
the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has
been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and
of which I, Paul, became a minister.
HCSB
1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the
firstborn over all creation; 16 because by Him
everything was created, in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or rulers or authorities all things have
been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is
before all things, and by Him all things hold together.
18 He is also the head of the body, the church; He is
the beginning, the frstborn from the dead, so that
He might come to have frst place in everything. 19
For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in
Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile everything to
Himself by making peace through the blood of His
cross whether things on earth or things in heaven.
21 And you were once alienated and hostile in
mind because of your evil actions. 22 But now He
has reconciled you by His physical body through His
death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless
before Him 23 if indeed you remain grounded and
steadfast in the faith, and are not shifted away from
the hope of the gospel that you heard. Tis gospel has
been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I,
Paul, have become a minister of it.
1:15-23 Main point:_______________________________________________________________
Make additional notes at left and below:
4. Read verses 15-20 carefully. List all the things Paul says Jesus is and explain the meaning and importance
of each description:
vs. 15a vs. 15b
vs. 16a vs. 16b
vs. 17 vs. 18a
vs. 18b vs. 18c
vs. 19 vs. 20
5. Who are the you in verse 21? What condition were these people in?
6. What has Christ done (vs. 22)?
7. What is Pauls expectation of Christians based on what Christ has done (vs. 23)?
4
ESV
1:24 Now I rejoice in my suferings for your sake,
and in my fesh I am flling up what is lacking in
Christs afictions for the sake of his body, that
is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister
according to the stewardship from God that was
given to me for you, to make the word of God
fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and
generations but now revealed to his saints. 27
To them God chose to make known how great
among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of
this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of
glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and
teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may
present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I
toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully
works within me.
HCSB
1:24 Now I rejoice in my suferings for you, and
I am completing in my fesh what is lacking in
Christs afictions for His body, that is, the church.
25 I have become its minister, according to Gods
administration that was given to me for you, to
make Gods message fully known, 26 the mystery
hidden for ages and generations but now revealed
to His saints. 27 God wanted to make known to
those among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of
this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of
glory. 28 We proclaim Him, warning and teaching
everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present
everyone mature in Christ. 29 I labor for this,
striving with His strength that works powerfully
in me.
1:24-29 Main point:_______________________________________________________________
Make additional notes at left and below:
8. Why does Paul rejoice in his sufferings?
9. What is the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints? (vs. 26)
10. Explain verse 27.
11. What is Pauls point in verses 28-29?
5
ESV
2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle
I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for
all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their
hearts may be encouraged, being knit together
in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of
understanding and the knowledge of Gods mystery,
which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in
order that no one may delude you with plausible
arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet
I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good
order and the frmness of your faith in Christ.
6 Terefore, as you received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him
and established in the faith, just as you were taught,
abounding in thanksgiving.
HCSB
2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I
have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who
have not seen me in person. 2 I want their hearts to
be encouraged and joined together in love, so that
they may have all the riches of assured understanding,
and have the knowledge of Gods mysteryChrist.
3 In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
are hidden. 4 I am saying this so that no one will
deceive you with persuasive arguments. 5 For I
may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit,
rejoicing to see your good order and the strength of
your faith in Christ.
6 Terefore as you have received Christ Jesus the
Lord, walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him
and established in the faith, just as you were taught,
and overfowing with thankfulness.
2:1-7 Main point:_______________________________________________________________
Make additional notes at left and below:
1. Explain Pauls struggle (vs. 1).
2. What is Pauls desire for the Christians (vs. 2)?
3. What is Pauls concern (vs. 4-5)?
4. What is Pauls instruction to these Christians (vs. 6-7)? How can we obey these instructions?
COLOSSIANS
6
ESV
2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by
philosophy and empty deceit, according to human
tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the
world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him
the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and
you have been flled in him, who is the head of
all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were
circumcised with a circumcision made without
hands, by putting of the body of the fesh, by the
circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with
him in baptism, in which you were also raised with
him through faith in the powerful working of God,
who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who
were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision
of your fesh, God made alive together with him,
having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling
the record of debt that stood against us with its
legal demands. Tis he set aside, nailing it to the
cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities
and put them to open shame, by triumphing over
them in him.
HCSB
2:8 Be careful that no one takes you captive
through philosophy and empty deceit based on
human tradition, based on the elemental forces of
the world, and not based on Christ. 9 For in Him
the entire fullness of Gods nature dwells bodily,
10 and you have been flled by Him, who is the
head over every ruler and authority. 11 In Him
you were also circumcised with a circumcision not
done with hands, by putting of the body of fesh,
in the circumcision of the Messiah. 12 Having been
buried with Him in baptism, you were also raised
with Him through faith in the working of God,
who raised Him from the dead. 13 And when you
were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of
your fesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave
us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certifcate of
debt, with its obligations, that was against us and
opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by
nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers
and authorities and disgraced them publicly; He
triumphed over them by Him.
2:8-15 Main point:_______________________________________________________________
Make additional notes at left and below:
5. Explain these things that could take these Christians captive (vs. 8). What can we do to not be taken captive
by these things?
6. Explain in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. (vs. 9)
7. Explain how you have been flled in him. (vs. 10)
8. Explain the imagery found in verses 11-12. Explain this circumcision. What is the relationship to baptism?
9. What all that Christ has done (vs. 13-15)?
7
ESV
2:16 Terefore let no one pass judgment on you
in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a
festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 Tese are
a shadow of the things to come, but the substance
belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you,
insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going
on in detail about visions,pufed up without reason
by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to
the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished
and knit together through its joints and ligaments,
grows with a growth that is from God.
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental
spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive
in the world, do you submit to regulations 21
Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch
22 (referring to things that all perish as they
are used)according to human precepts and
teachings? 23 Tese have indeed an appearance
of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and
asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of
no value in stopping the indulgence of the fesh.
HCSB
2:16 Terefore dont let anyone judge you in regard
to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a
new moon or a sabbath day. 17 Tese are a shadow
of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah.
18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on ascetic
practices and the worship of angels, claiming access
to a visionary realm and infated without cause by
his feshly mind. 19 He doesnt hold on to the head,
from whom the whole body, nourished and held
together by its ligaments and tendons, develops with
growth from God.
20 If you died with Christ to the elemental forces
of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged
to the world? Why do you submit to regulations:
21 Dont handle, dont taste, dont touch? 22 All
these regulations refer to what is destroyed by being
used up; they are human commands and doctrines.
23 Although these have a reputation of wisdom by
promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe
treatment of the body, they are not of any value
against feshly indulgence.
2:16-23 Main point:_______________________________________________________________
Make additional notes at left and below:
10. What issue is the problem in verse 16? Who would be passing these judgments on the Christians in Colossae?
11. What is Pauls response to these issues (vs. 17)?
12. What are the other issues that are being forced upon these Christians (vs. 18)? Explain what these issues
involve.
13. What is Pauls response to these issues (vs. 20-23)?
8
ESV
3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek
the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at
the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things
that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For
you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ
in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears,
then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in
you:sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil
desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On
account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In
these you too once walked, when you were living
in them. 8 But now you must put them all away:
anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from
your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing
that you have put of the old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being
renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised
and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free;
but Christ is all, and in all.
HCSB
3:1 So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek
what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right
hand of God. 2 Set your minds on what is above, not
on what is on the earth. 3 For you have died, and your
life is hidden with the Messiah in God. 4 When the
Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also
will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 Terefore, put to death whatever in you is
worldly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire,
and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, Gods
wrath comes on the disobedient, 7 and you once
walked in these things when you were living in them.
8 But now you must also put away all the following:
anger, wrath, malice, slander, and flthy language from
your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you
have put of the old man with his practices 10 and
have put on the new man, who is being renewed in
knowledge according to the image of his Creator. 11
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and
uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free;
but Christ is all and in all.
3:1-11 Main point:_______________________________________________________________
Make additional notes at left and below:
1. What does it mean to seek the things that are above and set your minds on things that are above (3:1-
2)?
2. What does it mean that your life is hidden with Christ in God (3:3)?
3. Explain what we are to put death (3:5).
4. What must we put away (3:8-9)?
5. What are we to put on (3:10)? How do we put these things on?
COLOSSIANS
9
ESV
3:12 Put on then, as Gods chosen ones, holy and
beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility,
meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one
another and, if one has a complaint against another,
forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you,
so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put
on love, which binds everything together in perfect
harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in
your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one
body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one
another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts
to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through him.
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is ftting
in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do
not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your
parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they
become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey in everything
those who are your earthly masters, not by way of
eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity
of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do,
work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the
inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord
Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for
the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
4:1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly,
knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
HCSB
3:12 Terefore, Gods chosen ones, holy and loved,
put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, and patience, 13 accepting one another
and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint
against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so
also you must forgive. 14 Above all, put on lovethe
perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of the
Messiah, to which you were also called in one body,
control your hearts. Be thankful. 16 Let the message
about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching
and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with
gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you
do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him.
18 Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is
ftting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and
dont become bitter against them. 20 Children, obey
your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the
Lord. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children,
so they wont become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey
your human masters in everything; dont work only
while being watched, in order to please men, but
work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever
you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for
the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that you will
receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord
you serve the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will
be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and
there is no favoritism. 4:1 Masters, supply your slaves
with what is right and fair, since you know that you
too have a Master in heaven.
3:12-4:1 Main point:_______________________________________________________________
Make additional notes at left and below:
6. Explain all that Christians are to put on.
7. How does the peace of Christ rule in your hearts? (vs. 15)
8. How does the word of Christ dwell in your richly? (vs. 16)
9. Explain verse 17.
10. Write down the various roles and how we serve God in those roles (3:18-4:1).
10
ESV
4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful
in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray
also for us, that God may open to us a door for the
word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account
of which I am in prison 4 that I may make it
clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making
the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always
be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may
know how you ought to answer each person.
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities.
He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and
fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to
you for this very purpose, that you may know how
we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9
and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved
brother, who is one of you. Tey will tell you of
everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you,
and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning
whom you have received instructionsif he comes
to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called
Justus. Tese are the only men of the circumcision
among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God,
and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,
who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets
you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers,
that you may stand mature and fully assured in all
the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he
has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea
and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician
greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to
the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the
church in her house. 16 And when this letter has
been read among you, have it also read in the church
of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the
letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, See
that you fulfll the ministry that you have received
in the Lord.
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own
hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
HCSB
4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with
thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us
that God may open a door to us for the message, to
speak the mystery of the Messiahfor which I am
in prison 4 so that I may reveal it as I am required
to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders,
making the most of the time. 6 Your speech should
always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you
may know how you should answer each person.
7 Tychicus, a loved brother, a faithful servant,
and a fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the
news about me. 8 I have sent him to you for this
very purpose, so that you may know how we are,
and so that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is
with Onesimus, a faithful and loved brother, who
is one of you. Tey will tell you about everything
here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you,
as does Mark, Barnabas cousin (concerning whom
you have received instructions: if he comes to you,
welcome him), 11 and so does Jesus who is called
Justus. Tese alone of the circumcision are my co-
workers for the kingdom of God, and they have
been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of
you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always
contending for you in his prayers, so that you can
stand mature and fully assured in everything God
wills. 13 For I testify about him that he works
hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those
in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the loved physician, and
Demas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the
brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the
church in her house. 16 And when this letter has
been read among you, have it read also in the church
of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the
letter from Laodicea. 17 And tell Archippus, Pay
attention to the ministry you have received in the
Lord, so that you can accomplish it.
18 Tis greeting is in my own handPaul.
Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.
4:2-18 Main point:_______________________________________________________________
Make additional notes at left and below:
COLOSSIANS
11
1. Explain verse 2. How can we continue steadfastly in prayer? How can we be watchful in prayer?
2. Write down the Christian principles Paul gives for how to live (4:5-6). How can we do these things?
3. Why was Tychicus sent to Colossae?
4. Who has gone with Tychicus? Where else do we read about this traveling companion?
5. Who is Mark? What light does this shed on the incident in Acts 15:36-41?
6. What is Epaphas doing?
7. Who is Luke? What is his occupation?
8. Who is Demas? Where will we read about him again?
9. What was to be done with this letter once the Christians in Colossae were done reading it?
10. Explain verse 17.
12
by: Brent Kercheville
COLOSSIANS
The Preeminence of Christ
A SELF-STUDY WORKBOOK
2014 Brent Kercheville