Colossians

Colossians declares the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ over creation, the church, and every spiritual power. Because believers have died and risen with Christ, they should put away the old life and live renewed.

Paul responds to teaching that threatens to diminish Christ by adding religious regulations, spiritual intermediaries, and human philosophy. He presents Jesus as the image of the invisible God, Creator, sustainer, head of the church, and reconciler through the cross.

Believers are complete in Christ, having died and risen with Him. Practices that appear spiritual cannot conquer sinful desire apart from the transforming reality of union with Christ.

The new life puts away anger, falsehood, impurity, and prejudice while putting on compassion, humility, forgiveness, love, peace, and gratitude. Christ’s lordship reaches speech, worship, family relationships, work, prayer, and witness.

Colossians invites readers to consider supremacy of christ, new life, maturity and to respond to God with thoughtful faith and faithful action. Its message contributes to the Bible’s larger story of creation, covenant, redemption, and the hope ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.