Colossians study section

Colossians chapter summaries

A one-line summary of every chapter. Open any chapter for the full study.

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Chapter list

Chapter 1

The Supremacy of Christ

After thanksgiving and prayer, Paul exalts Christ as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation by whom and for whom all things were made, the head of the church, and the one in whom all fullness dwells and through whom God reconciles all things by the cross.

  • Chapter 1 (c. AD 62): Paul gives thanks and prays for the Colossians, then exalts Christ as supreme over creation and the church, the reconciler of all things.

Chapter 2

The Sufficiency of Christ

In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom, and in Him believers are complete; therefore they must reject the empty “philosophy,” legalism, asceticism, and angel worship that add to Him, for at the cross Christ cancelled their debt and disarmed every power.

  • Chapter 2 (c. AD 62): In Christ dwells all fullness and every treasure of wisdom; beware philosophy, legalism, and asceticism, for you are complete in Him.

Chapters 3–4

The New Life in Christ

Since believers have died and been raised with Christ, they are to seek the things above, put off the sins of the old self and put on the graces of the new, let Christ’s peace and word rule, and live it out in the home, at work, in prayer, and in wise witness.

  • Chapter 3 (c. AD 62): Having died and risen with Christ, seek the things above, put off the old self, put on the new, and order your relationships in Him.
  • Chapter 4 (c. AD 62): Devote yourselves to prayer, walk in wisdom toward outsiders, and receive Paul’s greetings and final instructions.

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