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Objective

In this lesson, we’ll discover how Paul shows us that we are complete in Christ alone, needing nothing else for our spiritual life and growth.

Key Verse

Colossians 2:10: and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

Introduction

Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians around the same time he wrote Ephesians, probably while he was imprisoned in Rome. These two letters share many similar themes and teachings, but each has its own special emphasis. While Ephesians focuses on the church as the body of Christ, Colossians emphasizes that we are complete in Christ alone.

The central theme of Colossians reminds us of the message we find in Hebrews—that Christ is superior to everything else. Just as Hebrews shows us that Christ is better than angels, Moses, and the old covenant, Colossians reveals that Christ is sufficient for all we need. We also see Paul returning to themes he developed in Romans, particularly the powerful work of reconciliation that Christ has accomplished for us. It’s remarkable how Paul repeats these key teachings across his letters, showing us that these truths form the foundation of our faith.

Paul was writing to correct a dangerous false teaching that was affecting the Colossian church. We don’t know exactly what this heresy involved, but it seems to have combined Jewish legalism with Greek philosophy and perhaps some early forms of mysticism. Most false teachings involve errors about who Christ is and what He has done, and this seems to have been the case in Colosse as well. The believers there were being tempted to add human wisdom, religious rules, and mystical experiences to the simple gospel of Christ.

As we study this letter together, I want you to notice how Paul moves from doctrine to practical living. In chapters 1 and 2, he establishes the theological foundation—who Christ is and what He has done. Then in chapters 3 and 4, he shows us how to live based on these truths. This pattern appears throughout Paul’s letters and teaches us an essential principle: right thinking leads to right living. What we believe about Christ directly affects how we live our daily lives. This is why doctrine matters so much—it’s not just abstract theology, but the foundation for Christian living.

In this lesson, we’ll walk through Colossians chapter by chapter to discover Paul’s powerful message:

• Chapter 1: The supremacy and sufficiency of Christ
• Chapter 2: Freedom from false teaching through Christ
• Chapter 3: Living the new life in Christ
• Chapter 4: Practical encouragement for Christian service

Chapter 1

Paul begins his letter with thanksgiving for the testimony of the Colossian church. Even though he has never visited them personally, he has heard about their faith and love through Epaphras, who first brought the gospel to their city.

Colossians 1:3-4: We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people.

Paul emphasizes that the gospel is meant to bring forth fruit in our lives. This isn’t just information to be learned but truth that transforms us from the inside out. Paul wants this fruit to continue growing in the Colossian believers, so he prays specifically for their spiritual development.

When we look at Paul’s prayer in verses 9-14, we find a beautiful model for how we should pray for those we love and serve. Paul asks God that the Colossians might:

• Be filled with the knowledge of God’s will
• Walk worthy of the Lord
• Be fruitful in every good work
• Increase in the knowledge of God
• Be strengthened with His power
• Give thanks to the Lord

These aren’t just nice religious phrases—they describe what every Christian needs for spiritual maturity. (Notebook Moment: Which of these prayer requests do you most need in your own life right now? Take a moment to ask God for this specific spiritual blessing.)

(Notebook Moment: Which of these prayer requests do you most need in your own life right now? Take a moment to ask God for this specific spiritual blessing.)

This spiritual fruit is produced in our lives entirely by the work of Christ. In the rest of chapter 1, Paul gives us one of the most magnificent descriptions of Christ found anywhere in Scripture. He shows us that Jesus is both our Redeemer who saves us from sin and our Creator who made all things.

Colossians 1:13-14: For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Paul then presents a breathtaking portrait of who Christ really is:

Colossians 1:15-17: 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 powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

This is one of the great passages in the New Testament that teaches the deity of Christ. We should read these verses alongside John 1:1-3, which tells us that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” and Hebrews 1:1-3, which describes Christ as “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” These passages work together to show us that Jesus is not merely a good teacher or a prophet—He is God Himself in human flesh.

Paul teaches that Christ is the object of our worship and has preeminence over everything:

Colossians 1:18-19: And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.

Through Christ’s work on the cross, we who were once enemies of God have been reconciled to Him. This is the same powerful message of reconciliation that Paul explained in detail in his letter to the Romans. God has made peace through the blood of Christ’s cross, bringing together what sin had torn apart.

Colossians 1:21-22: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

Chapter 2

In chapter 2, Paul directly confronts the false teaching that was threatening the Colossian church. He focuses on the wisdom and sufficiency of Christ, reminding the believers that they don’t need to add anything to what Christ has already done for them.

Colossians 2:3-4: in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

Paul emphasizes a crucial principle: we are to continue in our faith the same way we received Christ—by faith alone. We cannot add our human wisdom, our good works, or our religious practices to what Christ has accomplished. This was the same battle Paul fought in Galatians, where believers were being told they needed to add Jewish law-keeping to their faith in Christ.

Colossians 2:6-7: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Paul warns them about philosophy and empty deception that comes from human tradition rather than from Christ:

Colossians 2:8: See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Then Paul returns to the central theme of the letter—we are complete through Christ alone:

Colossians 2:9-10: For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

Paul describes in powerful language how Christ has completely won the victory at the cross. Every spiritual blessing we need has already been secured for us through His death and resurrection. (Notebook Moment: How would your daily life change if you truly believed you were already complete in Christ? What would you stop striving for?)

Colossians 2:13-15: When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

This is why we should live in victory rather than bondage. We should not allow ourselves to be enslaved by false teachings, religious rules, or human traditions. Christ has set us free from all of these things! Paul warns the Colossians not to let anyone judge them about food, drink, religious festivals, or Sabbath days. These were shadows of things to come, but the reality is found in Christ.

Colossians 2:16-17: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Chapter 3

Paul builds on the foundation he has laid in the first two chapters. If all these things are true about Christ—if we really are complete in Him—then how should we live? Paul’s answer is clear: we should be focused on the things of God rather than earthly things.

Colossians 3:1-2: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Paul describes the spiritual battle that every Christian faces. We must “put to death” the things of the flesh in our lives. This language connects directly to Paul’s discussion in Romans 6 and 7 about our sanctification. Just as he explained to the Romans that we have died to sin and been raised to new life, he tells the Colossians that their old self has died and their life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:5: Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Paul uses the vivid image of changing clothes to describe our spiritual transformation. The words he uses are the same ones that describe how we take off dirty garments and put on clean ones. We must deliberately remove the old sinful behaviors and deliberately put on the character of Christ.

Colossians 3:8-10: But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

As we put on Christ, our lives will reflect His character. We will be marked by compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We will forgive others as the Lord has forgiven us. Above all, we will be characterized by love, which binds everything together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

This transformation affects every area of our lives. Paul shows how the indwelling life of Christ changes our relationships in the home, with wives and husbands loving and respecting each other, children obeying their parents, and fathers not exasperating their children. It transforms our work relationships, as slaves (employees) work heartily as for the Lord rather than for human masters, and masters (employers) treat their workers fairly, knowing they also have a Master in heaven.

Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Chapter 4

Paul concludes his letter by reminding the Colossians of their great responsibility to be witnesses to the watching world. Our conduct toward outsiders should be wise, making the most of every opportunity to share the gospel. (Notebook Moment: Think about your interactions with non-believers this past week. How could you be more intentional about “making the most of every opportunity” to point them to Christ?)

Colossians 4:5-6: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Even the great apostle Paul asked for prayer that he would continue to be bold in preaching the gospel. If Paul needed prayer support for his ministry, how much more do we need others praying for us!

Colossians 4:3-4: And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

In the rest of the chapter, Paul sends greetings from some of his fellow workers in the gospel. He mentions Tychicus (v. 7), who will carry this letter and encourage their hearts; Onesimus (v. 9), the runaway slave who has become a beloved brother; Aristarchus (v. 10), Paul’s fellow prisoner; Mark (v. 10), who has been restored to ministry after his earlier failure; Justus (v. 11), a Jewish believer who has been a comfort to Paul; Epaphras (v. 12), who first brought the gospel to Colosse and continues to wrestle in prayer for them; Luke (v. 14), the beloved physician and author of the third Gospel; and Demas (v. 14), who would later sadly abandon Paul.

Paul calls these men his fellow workers and says they have been a help and comfort to him. This teaches us important lessons about Christian service. We need faithful partners to labor beside us in the gospel. We need the encouragement and fellowship of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need others praying for us and supporting us in ministry. If the great apostle Paul needed these things, how much more do we need them!

Conclusion

At the end of Colossians, Paul includes a special message for a man named Archippus:

Colossians 4:17: Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

This is an exhortation to faithfulness that we should all take to heart. We need to be good stewards of the ministries God has given us. We have received these ministries from the Lord, not from human institutions or our own ambitions. Therefore, we should be faithful to fulfill them, not growing weary or giving up when things become difficult.

The message of Colossians is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago. In a world that constantly tells us we need something more—more knowledge, more experiences, more spiritual techniques—Paul’s message rings clear: we are complete in Christ. He is sufficient for our salvation, our sanctification, and our service. We don’t need to add anything to what He has already done for us.

Christ has rescued us from the domain of darkness. He has forgiven all our sins. He has given us new life. He has defeated every spiritual enemy. He has made us complete. Now we are called to live in the freedom and fullness of this amazing truth, setting our minds on things above and reflecting Christ’s character in everything we do.

Check Your Understanding

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[For the revision: Develop the following Go Deeper questions:

List the names in bullet form (e.g., Tychicus), followed by parallel references in other epistles that shed additional light on these individuals. Look up these passages and see what else we know about their lives and ministries.

Look at passages between Colossians 3 and Romans 6-7 and see how Paul similarly describes the process of sanctification in the life of the believer.

Compare what Paul says about “wisdom” in Colossians 2 with 1 Corinthians and Proverbs.]