Home / Commentary / Colossians / Colossians Chapter 1

Colossians 1 Commentary

Please choose a passage:

Colossians 1:1-2

Paul and Timothy set the stage for the book of Colossians by establishing their authority and celebrating their recipients.

Colossians 1:3-8

The unifying power of the gospel brings believers together, from Paul to Colossae to the ends of the earth.

Colossians 1:9-14

Paul expresses his hope for the Colossian church (and all believers) and shows how the acts of Jesus paved the way for those desires to become realities.

Colossians 1:15-20

Paul lays out the far-reaching supremacy of Christ. From beginning to end, in life and death, Jesus is preeminent in all things.

Colossians 1:21-23

Paul describes the cosmic path of reconciliation and encourages the Colossian believers to stay faithful to it.

Colossians 1:24-27

Paul further reflects on his own status as a disciple/apostle of Christ and how that affects his message for the Colossians.

Colossians 1:28-29

Paul describes his reason for writing the letter to the Colossians, revealing his desire for both his life/ministry and all of God’s people.

Additional Resources

Paul begins his letter to the Colossians with a thorough outline of the mission of The Body of Christ. In order to show the scope and importance of the church, he begins by aligning himself and his fellow servants (namely, Timothy and Epaphras), the saints of Colossae, and the greater movement of God throughout the world.

All of these entities are united under and subservient to Christ, the head of the church and the power of the movement; He is the aim and energy of the mission.

In the first century after Jesus’ ascension, Paul the apostle is working to spread the good news,the mystery that has been revealed through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Paul travels extensively to achieve this mission. Even so, he cannot be in all places. Although Paul has never been to Colossae, he has heard reports. His fellow minister, Epaphras, has shared the experience of the Colossian believers and, presumably, some of their challenges.

Paul introduces himself and his intention. He takes his time clarifying the mission for him personally and for the Body of Christ at large (of which, the Colossians are key contributors). In grand language, Paul outlines the power of Christ across the history of existence, which is culminating in the opportunity of the Colossian church to come alongside Paul and others to proclaim the gospel with their lives.