Study Notes Ed Underwood

Colossians Christ is Enough!

Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

The thirteen Pauline Epistles develop the foundational truths of Christianity introduced in the Gospels. Paul wrote nine letters to churches and four to individuals. He writes from the perspective of the Apostle to the Gentiles, church-planter, pastor, and friend. His letters contain instructions, exhortations, and corrections that were real-time—messages to real people, gathered in real churches, with real problems as they endeavored to follow Christ and make a difference in their world. One consistent theme undergirds all of Paul’s teaching—the reality of every believer’s position in Christ.

All is not well at Colosse. Epaphras, the founder of the Colossian Church, reports to Paul in Rome that a dangerous heresy—saying Jesus is neither central nor supreme—is undermining the work. False teachers were presenting a type of “advanced” spirituality combining spiritual mysticism with legalistic taboos as a way to maturity and perfection. Followers of this “enlightened” philosophy were forming into “elite” groups of spiritual snobs. Their power was growing as they encouraged others to go beyond what they considered the shallow and simple truths the Apostles taught about Christ.

Paul’s response to these deceivers is profound, powerful and persuasive. From his headquarters under house arrest in Rome, their Apostle pens a majestic picture of the Person and work of Christ. He exposes the Colossian heresy for what it is—an immature denial of the reality of Christ’s preeminence in creation, in the church, and in the lives of His followers. “Christ is enough,” warns Paul, “and any teaching which detracts from the centrality of Christ is a perversion that threatens the very essence of our faith. Believers who follow these false teachings will not grow to maturity. And remember, immature Christians do not please Christ!”

The great tragedy of the Colossian heresy is that it appeals to those who want more in their Christian life. The only “more” that will truly satisfy the child of God is more of Christ. Those who seek their “more” beyond Jesus are responding to one of Satan’s oldest strategies. Paul’s exhortation to continue in “the faith” (1:21-23) is just as timely today as it was the day he penned it.

Colossians warns Christians against any teaching that devalues Christ and His work.

I. The Colossians’ History: The faithful saints of Colosse, known for their faith, hope and love, were in danger of squandering their opportunity by veering from “the faith”—the apostolic teaching exalting Christ and His work—and moving away from the hope of the gospel Paul taught (Chapter 1).

1. In just a few years the healthy churches of the Lycus Valley east of Ephesus had become a dynamic part of the gospel’s explosion across the Roman province of Asia. On his third missionary journey in A.D. 52-55, Paul devoted over two years to an Asian ministry headquartered in Ephesus (Acts 19:8- 10). Epaphras, who trusted Christ during this time, carried the gospel to the cities of the Lycus Valley (Col 4:12-13; Philemon 23). By A.D. 61, when Epaphras visited Paul in prison in Rome (4:18), these churches had been part of one of the greatest revivals in church history (Acts 19:10). Significantly, they had grown to a level of maturity matched only by the church at Thessalonica (faith, hope, and love; 1:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3).

2. Now they are in danger of compromising the potential of their salvation and their hope of a good presentation at the Judgment Seat of Christ if they fail to continue in “the faith” by following the false teachers undermining the teaching of the Apostles and the gospel Paul taught Ephapras.

3. The Colossian Danger: Even the most successful Christians and churches are vulnerable to the Colossian heresy.

More is not always better; Christ is enough!

II. The Colossian Message: Christ is enough!

1. GREETING (1:1-2)

2. PROLOGUE: REMEMBER THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST (1:3-20)

3. PURPOSE: CONTINUE IN THE FAITH (1:21-23)!

4. BODY OF THE LETTER: AVOID THOSE WHO DENY THE FAITH WHILE RENEWING YOUR COMMITMENT TO CHRIST (1:24-4:6)

5. EPILOGUE: FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGH GREETINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS (4:7-17)

6. FAREWELL (4:18)

III.The Colossian Heresy: “Enlightened” spiritual snobs were enticing believers toward a “super- spirituality” which went beyond the “simple” truths the apostles were teaching about Christ (Chapter 2).

A. The deceitful but alluring heresies of legalism and mysticism were threatening the health of the churches of the Lycus Valley by turning believers’ attention from the sufficiency of Christ.

1. Epaphras’ disturbing report: Jewish legalism (2:11-17) and Greek mysticism (2:18-23) were being taught as a way to go “beyond” Christ to a new state of spirituality.

2. Paul’sdisturbingwarning:Thesearecaptivatinglies(2:8-10).

a. Don’t be deceived, stay with the faith! (2:6-7). b. LegalismisalieabouttheCrossandstealsyourfreedom(2:11-17). c. Mysticism appeals to pride and is perilous nonsense (2:18-23).

B. Colossians, the Warning: The Colossian heresy is a smug spirituality combining legalism and mysticism. Both of these devalue Christ. Legalism denies the sufficiency of His work. Mysticism denies the sufficiency of His Person.

III.COLOSSIANS AND YOU: Seek Christ! Fill your mind with thoughts of Him and your time pursuing Him. If you deepen your relationship with Christ you will continue in the faith (Chapters 3 & 4).

1. Paul’s simple definition of spirituality: Be like Christ!

   1. Be preoccupied with Christ! (3:1-4)

   2. Put on Christ’ s character! (3:5-17)

   3. RelatetoothersasChristwould!(3:18-4:6)

2. Colossians, the Hope: The only hope against the Colossian heresy is a life preoccupied with Christ.