OUTLINE OF COLOSSIANS

I. Salutation, (1:1–2)

1. The Writers (1:1)

2. The Readers (1:2a)

3. The Greeting (1:2b)

II. The Preeminence of Christ in Christian Theology (1:3–3:4)

1. Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Colossians (1:3–23)

(1) Paul’s Thanksgiving for the Colossians (1:3–8)

Expressed to God in Prayer (1:3)

Encouraged by the Colossians’ Christian Growth (1:4–8)

The Nature of the Colossians’ Growth (1:4)

The Basis for the Colossians’ Growth (1:5–8)

(2) Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians (1:9–14)

The Character of Paul’s Prayer (1:9a)

The Content of Paul’s Prayer (1:9b)

The Purpose of Paul’s Prayer (1:10–14)

(3) The Hymn to Christ (1:15–20)

Introduction to the Hymn to Christ

The Structure of the Hymn

Two-Stanza Arrangement

Three-Stanza Arrangement

The Authorship of the Hymn

The Contents of the Hymn

Jesus: Lord of Creation (1:15–17)

Jesus: Lord of the New Creation (1:18–20)

(4) The Salvation of the Colossians (1:21–23)

The Colossians’ Former Condition (1:21)

The Colossians’ Present Condition (1:22–23)

2. Paul’s Place in Christ’s Kingdom (1:24–2:7)

(1) Paul’s Ministry to the Churches (1:24–29)

To Complete the Afflictions of Christ (1:24)

Suffering for the Colossians

Suffering for the Christ

To Complete the Word of God (1:25–27)

The Role of Paul

The Revelation to Paul

Paul’s Message, Method, and Purpose (1:28–29)

(2) Paul’s Ministry to the Colossians (2:1–7)

The Object of Paul’s Concern (2:1)

The Purpose of Paul’s Concern (2:2–3)

The Reason for Paul’s Concern (2:4–5)

The Application to the Colossians (2:6–7)

3. Paul’s Defense of the Faith (2:8–3:4)

(1) Against the Theological Threat (2:8–19)

To the Doctrine of Salvation (2:8–15)

The Nature of the Threat (2:8)

The Answer to the Threat (2:9–15)

To the Doctrine of Sanctification (2:16–19)

Concerning Asceticism (2:16–17)

Concerning Angel Worship (2:18–19)

(2) Against the Practical Threat (2:20–3:4)

To the Doctrine of Salvation (2:20–23)

The Nature of the Attacks (2:20–21)

Reasons Not to Submit (2:22–23)

To the Doctrine of Sanctification (3:1–4)

The Nature of the Christian’s Higher Calling (3:1–2)

Reasons to Seek the Higher Calling (3:3–4)

III. The Preeminence of Christ in Christian Living (3:5–4:6)

1. Order in the Christian Life and the Church (3:5–4:1)

(1) The New Person (3:5–17)

Discard Vices (3:5–11)

Completely Kill Your Sinful Actions (3:5–7)

Completely Conquer Your Sinful Attitudes (3:8)

Completely Control Your Sinful Appearances (3:9–11)

Develop Virtues (3:12–17)

Social Relationships in the Church (3:12–14)

Harmony in the Church (3:15)

Freedom of the Word of God (3:16–17)

(2) Family Relationships (3:18–4:1)

Wives and Husbands (3:18–19)

Wives (3:18)

Husbands (3:19)

Children and Parents (3:20–21)

Children (3:20)

Parents (3:21)

Servants and Masters (3:22–4:1)

Servants (3:22–25)

Masters (4:1)

2. Prayerful Cooperation in Ministry (4:2–6)

(1) Prayer (4:2–4)

Watchful Prayer (4:2)

Intercessory Prayer (4:3–4)

(2) Wisdom (4:5)

(3) Careful Communication (4:6)

IV. Final Matters (4:7–18)

1. Those Who Journeyed to the Church (4:7–9)

(1) Tychicus (4:7–8)

(2) Onesimus (4:9)

2. Those Who Sent Greetings (4:10–14)

(1) Aristarchus (4:10)

(2) Mark (4:10)

(3) Jesus (Justus) (4:11)

(4) Epaphras (4:12–13)

(5) Luke (4:14)

(6) Demas (4:14)

3. Those to Whom Greetings Were Being Sent (4:15–17)

(1) Laodicea (4:15–16)

(2) Nympha (4:15)

(3) Archippus (4:17)

4. Final Greeting from Paul (4:18)