Colossians
Christ above all — a warning against hollow philosophy and a call to set the mind on things above.
Overview
Colossians was written to a church troubled by teachers mixing the gospel with philosophy, ritual, and the worship of angels. Paul's answer is to lift up Christ: he is "the image of the invisible God," in whom "all the fulness" dwells, and in whom the believers are already complete. There is no need for the add-ons; set your minds on things above.
Book facts
- Author
- Paul (traditionally)Attributed to Paul, writing from prison; some scholars question it.
- Date written
- c. AD 60Written from prison, alongside the letter to Philemon.
- Original language
- GreekRich in praise of Christ.
- Setting
- To the church in ColossaeA church Paul had not founded, facing strange teachings.
How it came to be
Colossians is attributed to the apostle Paul, writing from prison. It was sent with the short letter to Philemon, to a church Paul had not personally founded.
Some scholars question Paul's authorship on grounds of style; traditionally it is his.
The whole book, chapter by chapter
| Chapter | What this chapter covers |
|---|---|
Christ above all — the supremacy of Christ and the life that follows, chapters 1–4 | |
| Chapter 1The image of God | Christ is the image of the invisible God, in whom all things hold together. |
| Chapter 2The fulness in Christ | In Christ dwells all the fulness; beware hollow philosophy and empty ritual. |
| Chapter 3The things above | Set your mind on things above; put off the old self and put on the new. |
| Chapter 4The final instructions | Closing instructions, greetings, and a request for prayer. |
All 4 chapters. Start reading →
Worth knowing
The apostle to whom the letter is attributed.
Written to the church in Colossae.
Some of the best-known verses in Colossians — tap the verse to read it.
- "The image of the invisible God"Colossians 1:15
- "Set your affection on things above"Colossians 3:2
- "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily"Colossians 3:23