“Look at the Book” is Bible Gateway’s series of short blog posts and infographics introducing you to the books of the Bible. In his Letter to the Colossians, Paul refutes false teachings that were dividing the church and reminds us to be one in Christ.
Scroll to the bottom if you’d prefer to see (and save) this article as an infographic. You’ll also find a handy 30-day reading guide. Or, for a challenge, you can do it in one week using the 7-day reading guide below.
Summary
Paul refutes false teachings and heresies that had taken hold. The heresies are diverse in nature and seem to be a mixture of extreme forms of Judaism and Gnosticism. Paul refutes them by exalting the fullness of Christ as contrasted with the emptiness of philosophy.
- Category: Epistle
- Theme: Supremacy
- Timeline: Written around AD 60
Key Verse
“…all things have been created through him and for him.” — Colossians 1:16 (NIV)
Time for a Change
Themes in Colossians:
- Jesus is the true center (Ch. 1)
- Jesus sets us free from legalism (Ch. 1-2)
- Jesus wants a relationship, not religion (Ch. 2)
- Jesus offers us “new clothes” (Ch. 3) *
* When we come to faith in Jesus, we are called to put off our old ways, attitudes, actions: the clothes of the past. At the same time, we are moved to dress ourselves in the things of Jesus — a new lifestyle that fits who we are as children of God.
7 Day Reading Guide
(See 30-day guide below.)
- Day 1: Philippians 1
- Day 2: Philippians 2
- Day 3: Philippians 3
- Day 4: Philippians 4
- Day 5: Colossians 1
- Day 6: Colossians 2
- Day 7: Colossians 3-4
Get Together
People can be divided because of ethnicity, gender, social class, religion, and other things. The world might be divided over these things, but Christians should not be.
Access the rest of the series. Browse Bible studies for each book of the Bible. Or right-click on the infographic below to download and save the image for your reference.
Chris Fann is the Senior Digital Marketing Manager for Harper Christian Resources. He loves the smell ofa baseball glove, coffee, and old books. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife, 2 teenage boys, and their dog, Freya.