Click on this slide and then press the spacebar to advance slides: ➜ (or swipe on a touch screen)
The “Colossian heresy”
A belief system, called a “hollow and deceptive philosophy”(2:8).
Tradition-based, “depends on human tradition”(2:8, 22).
Elemental spiritual forces underlie the system (2:8).
Not Christ-centered, the teaching doesn’t “depend on ... Christ”(2:8).
Food restrictions and Jewish “holy days” are involved (2:16).
Ascetic disciplines are encouraged (2:18, 23).
The “Colossian heresy” cont’d
Angel worship is central (2:18).
Visionary experiences are touted (2:18).
Pride characterizes the proponents (2:18).
Losing connection with Christ is the result (2:19).
Rule-keeping is urged (2:20–23).
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk in him, rooted and built up in him
and established in the faith (2:6–7)
…bearing fruit and growing (1:6)
Quick overview
From the bottom up:
4:2–18 Among outsiders
3:18–4:1 In our extended family
3:8–17 Among Christian Community
2:20–3:7 Inner Spiritual life
2:8–19 Core of the Truth: Union with Jesus
1:24–2:7 How this Truth comes to Us
1:9b-23 Jesus & the Big Picture
1:1–9a This Truth Changes Us
A. This Truth Changes Us
1:5 the word of the truth, the gospel,
1:6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing
B. Jesus & the Big Picture
1:17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church.
A. This Truth Changes Us
C. How this Truth comes to Us
1:27 the greatness of the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
1:28 Him we proclaim
B. Jesus & the Big Picture
A. This Truth Changes Us
D. Core of the Truth: Union with Jesus
2:12 “…buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
C. How this Truth comes to Us
B. Jesus & the Big Picture
A. This Truth Changes Us
1. Inner Spiritual life 2:20–3:7
3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
2. Among Christian Community 3:8–17
3:14–15 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony… to which indeed you were called in one body.
1. Inner Spiritual life 2:20–3:7
3. In our extended family 3:18–4:1
3:19 Husbands, love your wives…
4:1 Masters, treat your bond-servants justly and fairly…
2. Among Christian Community 3:8–17
1. Inner Spiritual life 2:20–3:7
4. Among outsiders 4:2–18
4:5–6 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
3. In our extended family 3:18–4:1
2. Among Christian Community 3:8–17
1. Inner Spiritual life 2:20–3:7
The Centre 3:1–3
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.