Outline of the Book of Colossians

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 1

I. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE LETTER: VS 1-2

A. This letter was from two great Christians: Paul and Timotheus. v 1 B. This letter came with the greatest credentials: Paul being an apostle. v 1 C. This letter was to the greatest people on earth: Saints. v 2 D. This letter desired the greatest blessings: Grace and peace. v 2 E. This letter was from the greatest source: God and Christ. v 2 II. CHRISTIAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: VS 3-8 A. These are the requirements for that growth and development. vs 3-5 1. Disciples must have faith in Christ. v 4, Rev. 1:18 2. Christians should have love for all the saints. v 4, Romans 13:8-10 3. Saints need to maintain their hope. v 5, Heb. 6:18-19 B. These are the reasons for that growth and development. vs 5-6 1. The grace of God engenders that growth and development. Titus 1:11- 12 2. The truth of the gospel enhances that growth and development. John 8:31-32, Rom. 1:16 C. These would be the results of that growth and development. vs 7-8 1. Disciples would teach the truth of God to other people. Matt. 28:19-20 2. Christians would preach the truth of God to other persons. 2 Tim. 4:1-4 III. OUR OWN SPIRITUAL GROWTH: VS 9-12 A. These are the beginnings of our own spiritual growth. v 9 1. A brother in Christ must desire to grow in a spiritual way. 1 Peter 2:1-3 2. A Christian should pray for wisdom so that he can reason the facts of life. James 1:5-8 B. These are the ways to develop our own spiritual growth. v 10 1. A Christian can grow spiritual by following our Lord. 1 Peter 2:21 2. A saint can grow spiritual by producing spiritual fruit. Gal. 5:22-23 3. A disciple can grow spiritual by studying the word of God. 2 Tim. 2:15 C. These are the blessings for our own own spiritual growth. vs 11-12 1. Christians are kept by the power of God. Romans 8:31, Jude 24-25 2. Saints would be patient under their fiery trails of temptation. James 5:11, l Peter 5:10 3. Disciples would be filled with thanksgiving for their blessings which they are receiving from God. Heb. 12:11 IV. THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST: VS 13-19 A. These are the characteristics of His Kingdom. v 13 1. The Kingdom of Christ is a Spiritual Kingdom. John 18:36 2. The Kingdom of Christ is an eternal Kingdom. 1 Cor. 15:24-28 B. These are the blessings of His Kingdom. v 14 1. The redemption of Christ is complete because our past sins are forgiven. Heb. 8:12 2. The redemption of Christ is perfect because our sins are being forgiven. 1 John 1:7-10 C. These are the proofs of His Deity. v 15 1. Jesus Christ lived in heaven in being the Word God before He was born upon the earth so that He could do the Divine Work of human redemption. John 1:1-3, Matt. 1:18-24, Phil. 2:5-11 2. Jesus Christ was Divine upon the earth because He was God manifested in the flesh. 1 Tim. 3:16 3. Jesus Christ created all things in being the Word God. v 16, John 1:1-3 D. These are the results of His Preeminence. vs 17-18 1. Christ is now before all things that pertains unto our salvation. v 17, Matt. 28:18-20 2. Christ is the head (the Ruler) of the church. vs 18-19, Eph. 1:22-23 V. BEING RECONCILED IN CHRIST: VS 20-23 A. This is the way of that reconciliation. v 20 1. Christians are reconciled to God by the blood of Christ. v 20, Eph. 4:31- 32 2. Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. John 1:29, 1 Cor. 15:1-3 B. These are the needs for that reconciliation. v 21 1. When we were alien sinners, we were separated of God. Isa. 59:1-2 2. When we were alien sinners, we were alienated from God. Eph. 2:11-16 C. This is the place of that reconciliation. v 22 1. Disciples are new creatures in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:17, Eph. 1:3 2. Christians are reconciled in the body of Christ which is His church. Acts 2:47 D. These are the requirements for that reconciliation. v 23 1. A brother in Christ must be faithful. Rev. 2:10 2. A Christian must be steadfast. 1 Cor. 15:58 VI. THE SERVICES OF PAUL: VS 24-29 A. This was the happiness of his services. v 24 1. Paul was happy to suffer for Christ. v 25, Gal. 6:17 2. Christians should be happy to suffer for Christ. James 1:2-4 B. These were the works of his services. vs 25-28 1. Paul wanted to preach the word of God. v 25, Rom. 1:14-18, 1 Peter 4:11 2. Paul desired to reveal the truth of God. vs 26-27, John 8:31-32 3. Paul wished to warn other people so that they could become new creatures in Christ. v 28, Ezek. 3:18-19 C. This was the proof of his services. v 28 1. Paul labored in the Kingdom of God. v 28, Acts 20:26 2. Christians should labor in the Kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 15:58, Rev. 14:13 CHAPTER 2

I. OUR CONFLICTS: VS 1-2

A. These are the realities of our conflicts. v 1 1. Life is filled with many conflicts. Job 14:1-2 2. There is a great warfare between good and evil. Gal. 5:17 B. These are the ways to overcome our conflicts. v 2 1. Christians must have their hearts comforted. 1 Thess. 5:11 2. Brethren in the Lord should be united in love. 2 Cor. 3:13 3. Disciples need to come to a full understanding of God. 2 Tim. 1:13 4. Saints ought to know the mysteries of God and Christ. 2 Cor. 5:17-21 II. OUR SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE: VS 3-7 A. These are the sources of our spiritual knowledge. v 3 1. Christ is the wisdom of God. 1 Cor. 1:24 2. Christ has brought unto us the words of life. John 6:63-69 B. These are the reasons for our spiritual knowledge. v 4 1. A Christian could be deceived by false teachings. 1 John 4:1 2. A disciple could believe a religious lie. 2 Thess 2:11-13 C. These are the requirements for our spiritual knowledge. v 5 1. Christians must be steadfast in the faith. 1 Tim. 6:12 2. Saints should fight a good fight of faith. 2 Tim. 4:6-8 D. These are the ways to develop our spiritual knowledge. v 6 1. Christians must receive Christ Jesus the Lord. John 1:10-13 2. Brethren should walk in Christ Jesus the Lord. 1 John 2:6 E. These are the effects of our spiritual knowledge. v 7 1. Christians would be established in Christ. 1 Peter 5:10 2. Disciples would be thankful for the blessings of God. 1 Thess. 5:18 III. RELIGIOUS ERROR VERSES RELIGIOUS TRUTH: VS 8-9 A. These are the sources of religious error. v 8 1. Religious error comes from vain philosophy. 1 Cor. 1:21 2. Religious error proceeds from vain deceit. Romans 3:13 3. Religious error follows after human traditions. Matt. 15:8-9 4. Religious error pursues after the rudiments of the world. Romans 1:22 B. These are the sources of true teaching. v 9 1. True teachings comes from God. Heb. 1:1-3 2. True Teachings comes from Christ. John 12:48 IV. OUR SPIRITUAL COMPLETENESS: VS 10-15 A. These are the realities of our own spiritual completeness. v 10 1. Christians are new creatures in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:17 2. Saints are complete in Christ. Eph. 4:13 B. These are the reasons for our own spiritual completeness. v 11 1. A Christian has put off the old man. Eph. 4:21-22 2. A disciple has put on the new man. Eph. 4:23-24 C. These are the reasons for our own spiritual completeness. v 12 1. Christians have been buried with their Lord in baptism. Mark 16:16 2. Saints have been raised with their Lord to walk in the newness of life. Romans 6:1-7 D. These are the blessings of our own spiritual completeness. vs 13-15 1. Christians are forgiven of their sins. v 13, l John 1:7-9 2. The laws of Moses were never binding upon us. v 14, Gal. 3:10 3. Disciples will receive their victory through Christ. 1 Cor. 15:57 V. FORMALISM IN RELIGIOUS. VS 16-19 A. These are the characteristics of religious formalism. v 16 1. Religious formalism consists of rituals. Matt. 23:23 2. Religious formalism includes ceremonies. 2 Tim. 3:5 3. Religious formalism pertains to festivals. Gal. 4:10 B. These are the appeals of religious formalism. vs 17 1. Religious formalism may seem to be true. v 17, Prov. 14:12 2. A person can be deceived by false teachings. v 17, Matt. 7:21-23 C. These are the effects of religious formalism. vs 18-19 1. Religious formalism would engender false pride. v 18, Luke 18:11 2. Religious formalism would enhance false security. v 19, Rev. 3:17 VI. BEING OF THE WORLD: VS 20-23 A. These are the restrictions of worldliness. v 20 1. Disciples are forbidden to love the world of sin. 1 John 2:15-17 2. Christians must not be confirmed to this world of sin. Romans 12:1-2 B. These are the characteristics of worldliness. vs 21-22 1. Worldliness comes from the commandments of men. Matt. 15:8-9 2. Worldliness is enhanced by the doctrines of men. Matt. 15:13-14, Matt. 23:29 C. These are the powers of worldliness. v 23 1. Worldliness is engendered by false wisdom. 1 Cor. 1:19-29 2. Worldliness is enhanced by false worship. Acts 17:22-23 3. Worldliness is perfected by false pleasures. Heb. 11:24-26 CHAPTER 3

I. THE NEW LIFE: VS 1-4

A. These are the conditions for that new life. v 1 1. Christians must be in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:17 2. We as alien sinners must be baptized into Christ. Gal. 3:27 3. We as Christians must be raised with Christ. Romans 6:3-6 B. These are the admonitions for that new life. v 1 1. Christians are exhorted to seek the Lord. Acts 17:24-28 2. Saints should seek spiritual things. Matt. 6:19-21 3. Disciples must seek the Kingdom of God. Matt. 6:33 C. These are the requirements for that new life. v 2 1. Christians are to be spiritual minded. Heb. 12:1-2 2. We as saints are not be carnal minded. Romans 12:1-2 D. These are the reasons for that new life. v 3 1. Christians are dead to sin. Romans 6:12 2. Our life is hid with Christ in God. Gal. 2:20 E. These are the blessings of that new life. v 4 1. Disciples shall appear with Christ in His glory. Romans 2:7 2. Christians will be in His Likeness. Phil. 3:20 3. Saints will possess the glories of Immortality. 2 Tim. 6:15-16 II. THE OLD MAN OF SIN: VS 5-11 A. These are his traits. v 5 1. Some sinners are guilty of fornication. 1 Thess. 4:3 2. Some sinners are unclean. Romans 1:24 3. Some sinners have inordinate affection. 2 Peter 2:14 4. Some sinners have evil concupiscence. Romans 7:8 5. Some sinners are guilty of covetousness. Luke 12:15 B. This will be his reward. v 6 1. The sinner is under the wrath of God. Heb. 10:25-31 2. God will takes vengeance upon the evil doer. Romans 12:19 C. These are his instructions. vs 7-11 1. All sinners should put off the old man with his evil deeds. vs 7-9, 2 Cor. 5:17 2. All sinners should put on the new man with his righteous deeds. vs 10- 11, Gal. 3:26-29 III. THE NEW MAN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: 12-17 A. These are his traits. vs 12-14 1. A Christian is holy. v 12, 1 Peter 1:15-16 2. A saint is merciful. v 12, Matt. 5:7 3. A disciple is kind. v 12, Eph. 4:32 4. A brother in Christ is humble. v 12, 1 Peter 5:5 5. A Christian is meek. v 12, 2 Tim. 2:25 6. A saint is longsuffering. v 12 , James 5:11 7. A disciple is forgiving. v 13, Matt. 6:14-15 8. A brother in Christ is lovable. v 14, Eph. 5:2 B. These are his instructions. vs 15-17 1. A Christian allows the peace of God to rule in his heart. v 15, Phil. 4:7 2. A disciple is thankful for his blessings. v 15, Phil. 4:6 3. A brother in Christ permits the words of Christ to dwell in him richly. v 16, Matt. 4:10 4. A saint does everything according to the authority of Christ. v 17, John 12:48 IV. THE HOME LIFE: VS 18-21 A. These are the duties of the wife. v 18 1. The wife must submit herself to her own husband. 1 Peter 3:1-6 2. The wife must love her own husband. Eph. 5:22 B. These are the duties of the husband. v 19 1. The husband must love his wife. Eph. 5:25 2. The husband should love his wife as his own flesh. Eph. 28-29 C. These are the duties of the children. v 20 1. Children must obey their parents in the Lord. Eph. 6:1 2. Children should honor their parents. Eph. 6:2-3 D. These are the duties of the father. v 24 1. The father must not provoke his children to anger. v 24 2. The father should bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6:4 V. THE SLAVE AND THE MASTER RELATIONSHIP: VS 22-25 A. These are the instructions for a slave. vs 22-23 1. The slave must obey his master according to flesh. v 22, Eph. 6:5 2. The slave must do that service as to the Lord. v 23, Eph. 6:6-7 B. These will be the rewards for his services. v 24 1. The slave would be well pleasing unto the Lord. Eph. 6:8 2. The slave could be rewarded with eternal life. Romans 2:7 C. These were the reasons for his services. v 25 (The Lord is not a respecter of persons.) Acts 10:34-35 CHAPTER 4

I. THE DUTY OF A SLAVE OWNER: V 1

A. The slave owner must treat his salve with the proper respect. v 1 B. The slave owner should remember that he has a Master in heaven. Eph. 5:8 II. THE GODLY LIFE: VS 2-6 A. Prayer is the motivation for that godly life. vs 2-4 1. Saints must continue to pray. v 2, 1 Thess. 5:17 2. Christians should pray with thanksgiving. v 2, Phil. 4:6 3. Brethren need to pray for their ministers. vs 3-4, Luke 10:2 4. Saints ought to pray for those who are lost. vs 3-4, Matt. 9:37-38 B. Prudence is the essential for that godly life. v 5 1. Disciples must walk in wisdom. v 5, James 1:5-8 2. Christians should redeem the time. v 5, Eph. 5:14-17 C. Proper communication is the success of that godly life. v 6 1. Our communication must be authoritatively. v 6, 1 Peter 4:11 2. Our communication should be convincing . v 6, Titus 1:9-11 3. Our communication ought to be honest. v 6, Heb. 13:5-6 III. THE EXAMPLE OF TYCHICUS AND ONESIMUS: VS 7-9 A. These were their traits in life. vs 7-9 1. Tychicus and Onesimus were beloved. vs 7, 9, 1 John 3:14-15 2. Tychicus and Onesimus were faithful ministers. vs 7,9, 2 Timothy 4:1-4 3. Tychicus and Onesimus were fellow servants. vs 7,9 1 Cor. 3:9 B. These were their duties in life. v 8 1. Tychicus and Onesimus would comfort one another. v 8, Romans 15:1-3 2. Tychicus and Onesimus would encourage one another. v 8, Gal. 6:1-2 IV. THESE ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH: VS 10-17 A. There must be hospitality in the household of faith. v 10, Heb. 13:1-2 B. There should be co-workers in the household of faith. v 11, 1 Cor. 9:19-20 C. There ought to be the proper zeal in the household of faith. vs 12-15, Romans 10:1-3 D. There need to be students in the household of faith. v 16, 2 Tim. 2:25 E. There must be exhorters in the household of faith. v 17, Heb. 10:25 V. THE SALUTATION OF PAUL: V 18 A. Paul wanted them to remember his bonds. B. Paul desired that the grace of God would be with them.

Top of Page