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The Structure of Colossians as a whole.
A | 1: 1, 2. Epistolary and salutation.
B | 1: 3-8. Faithful; ministry of Epaphras.
C | a | 1: 9-12. Prayer and spiritual walk.
b | 1: 13-23. Christ before all things.
E | 1: 23-27. Mystery (secret) manifested by God.
F | 1: 28 - 2: 1. Preaching to present perfect (mature).
G | 2: 2, 3. Hid--the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
H | 2: 4-23. BEWARE.
G | 3: 1-4. Hid--your life with Christ.
C |
b | 3: 5-15. Christ is ALL and in all.
a | 3: 16 - 4: 1. The Word and spiritual walk.
E | 4: 2-11. Mystery (secret) manifested by Paul.
F | 4: 12-16. Prayer that they stand perfect (mature).
B | 4: 17. Fulfil ministry--Archippus.
A | 4: 18. Epistolary and salutation.
The balance between the various sections is self-evident, barring the central warning
section H which is peculiar to this epistle, and deals with the Colossian heresy and its
remedy. The opening verses associate Timothy with Paul, as in other letters (II Cor.,
Phil., I & II Thess., Philemon). Paul reserves the title `apostle' for himself. Originally
it was used for those who were directly commissioned by the risen Christ, and then later
in a wider sense. As with the Ephesian letter, those addressed are not just saints, but
faithful saints, and we have no right to omit this. Can all believers be truthfully described
as faithful or loyal?
"We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have towards all the
saints, because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard
before in the word of the truth of the gospel" (Col. 1: 3-5 R.V.).
It is noteworthy that Paul's usual habit is to commence with thanksgiving for the good
news he hears of the various groups of Christians to whom he is writing. He looked for
the good in believers first of all, not their faults. Later on, in true love, he has to correct
what he finds wrong, but this love and Christian tact praises before it criticizes. Most of
us can learn a lesson here in our contacts with others. The trio of graces that figure so
prominently in I Corinthians, faith, hope and love, find their place also in Colossians
and elsewhere, and they seem to sum up the spiritual qualities which should be evident in
the lives of all God's redeemed children. The Colossian faith did not exist by itself; it
rested upon and was placed in Christ Jesus, the only secure Foundation for faith.
Thousands can talk of possessing faith, but the main thing is upon what or Whom is this
faith placed? With many the faith is misplaced, for under test and the stress of life their
foundation collapses and then utter disillusionment follows. Christ Himself is the only
secure Foundation, the One Who is almighty, the same `yesterday, today and for ever',
the immovable Rock of ages.