Author and Audience:
Colossians was written by Paul during his first Roman imprisonment and addressed “to the saints and faithful brethren . . . at Colosse”. It was also to be read to the Saints in Laodicea.
Historical Background:
Colosse (along with the larger neighboring cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea) was a successful mercantile city in Asia Minor.
The record is silent as to how the gospel was introduced to the Colossians. Paul referred to a local member named Epaphras as “a faithful minister of Christ”. This man may have been converted by Paul in Ephesus during Paul’s third missionary journey. It is believed that Epaphras took the gospel home to Colosse and it spread throughout the region. Just as the gospel flourished, however, so did an odd blend of Jewish religion and Greek philosophy. In time, this heresy made inroads into the congregations of the Saints. Epaphras, unable to deal with the growing acceptance of false religion, visited Paul in Rome for counsel on how to combat the threat. Paul wrote this letter sometime around A.D. 60–62.
Theme:
The effect of the encroaching heresy was to diminish the preeminence of Jesus Christ. Paul corrected this false idea by teaching that Christ is the very image of God, that He is the Creator, the Head of the Church, the first to be resurrected, a member of the Godhead, the Redeemer, and the “hope of the gospel, which ye have heard”.
Today there is a growing skepticism in the world about the divinity of Jesus Christ. The Savior is represented by many as just a great teacher or healer or a prophet. Many people consider Him irrelevant as they grow worldly or rely on their own wisdom. Without a correct understanding of the Son of God or commitment to His teachings, their faith slowly slips away in the face of life’s challenges. Despite all this, living prophets continue to declare the good news of the gospel. Like Paul they valiantly teach the truth about Jesus Christ, “the hope of glory”.
Colossians 1
Finish this sentence: The deeper the roots, the _______________.
• What spiritual comparisons can we draw from this illustration?
I know that Jesus was the son of a carpenter, a great teacher, a good leader, a prophet.
• Do you believe this is true?
• What are some differences between Paul’s testimony in Colossians 1:12-23 and the
one written on the board?
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Colossians 1:12-23
• Which one has deeper roots?
In Paul’s day there were some who thought of Jesus Christ as simply one of the angels. Some denied His physical birth, His humanity, and His Atonement. Paul corrected such ideas.
In our own day there are people who think of Jesus Christ as a mere man.
• What must we do to be in a position to give a testimony like Paul’s?
A statement by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve:
“Jesus Christ is infinitely more than a great teacher and philosopher. . . . As part of the plan, Jesus offered to atone for the sins of all mankind and bear the suffering for those sins, satisfying the law of justice if the sinners repent. . . . “He also offered his mortal life, was crucified, and became the first to be resurrected, making possible the literal resurrection of all of our Father’s children. . . . He is our Mediator with the Father and our Exemplar in all things. His loving kindness toward us is beyond our comprehension”.
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 99; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 75)
As we come to realize all that Jesus Christ does for us, it should inspire our worship and adoration of Him.
President Howard W. Hunter asked:
“How often do we think of the Savior? How deeply and how gratefully and how adoringly do we reflect on his life? How central to our lives do we know him to be?”
(in Conference Report, Apr. 1993, 79; or Ensign, May 1993, 64)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell counseled:
“Let our gratitude . . . be expressed by striving to become, attribute by attribute, more and more as Jesus is (see 3 Nephi 27:27). By so living, ours will not then be a mere appreciation of Jesus, nor a modest admiration of Him. Rather, ours will be an adoration of Jesus expressed by our emulation of Him!”
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 26; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 20)
We should all follow this counsel so we can remain firm in our testimony of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2&3
If ye then be arisen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1–4
• According to these verses, what event should we be preparing for?
• How can we prepare?
When Christ comes again our countenances will reflect how we lived our lives, and He will see us as we really are.
Colossians 4