We began memorizing Colossians this week. Our mission, so to speak, is the commit Paul’s letter to memory in the next fifteen weeks. We should be done by Christmas.
I am excited about learning this book. Each week, I will post the verses we are learning. In between work and home, I will write up notes learned from my study — and from my partners, I hope to get their thoughts posted as well.
Paul teaches about the doctrine of Christ more fully and systematically than in his earlier epistles. Paul teaches about what they already have: a hope laid up in heaven, an inheritance with the saints, deliverance from the tyranny of darkness, a seat with the risen Christ. Against the false teachings facing the Colossians, Paul reminds them Christ had done all that was necessary for their salvation (O’Brien). From the ESV Study Bible, the key themes of Colossians are:
- Jesus Christ is preeminent over all creation, Lord over all human rulers and cosmic powers (Col. 1:15–20; Col. 2:9–10; Col. 3:1)
- God has worked through Christ to secure redemption and reconciliation for all who put their faith in him (Col. 1:13–14, 20–22)
- Believers are in Christ and thus participate in a relationship of solidarity with Christ in his death on the cross, his resurrection from the dead, his new life, and his fullness (Col. 2:9–14; Col. 3:1–4)
- Christ has defeated the powers of darkness on the cross, and Christians share in his power and authority over that realm (Col. 2:10, 15; see also Col. 2:8, 20)
- Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish expectation, and Christians now share in the heritage of the old covenant people of God through their union with him (Col. 1:12, 21–22, 27)
- Believers are called to grow in maturity in Christ by getting rid of sinful practices and cultivating Christian virtues (Col. 1:10–12, 28; Col. 3:1–4:6)