Locate the Passage 3:1-4 begins a new paragraph of exhortation based on what Paul has said in 2:16-23, signaled by the use of oun (“therefore”). This paragraph is a generic exhortation to seek the things above. Paul will give specific exhortations in 3:5ff... Read More »

Locate the Passage 2:16-23 is a warning against false teaching, expanding the general warning given in 2:8-15 and making it specific. This passage gives more specific information about the nature of the Colossian heresy that was endangering the Colossian churc... Read More »

Locate the Passage 2:8-15 continues Paul’s hortatory instructions to the Colossians and gives a warning against the false teaching in Colossae. This is part of a larger section (2:8-23) warning the believers about the danger of turning aside to the heresy. E... Read More »

Locate the Passage 2:6-7 commences the hortatory section of the letter. The command to “walk in Him” and the subsequent imperatives are given on the basis of the grounds of Christ’s supremacy and Paul’s faithful ministry given in 1:15-2:5. Identify the... Read More »

Locate the Passage 2:1-5 is connected thematically to the previous paragraph and is a continuation of it. This paragraph is part of the grounds contained in 1:15-2:5 for the exhortations to come in 2:6ff. Paul’s ministry serves as the topic of the paragraph.... Read More »

Locate the Passage 1:24-29 has a tail-head link with 1:21-23, wherein the topic of Paul’s ministry mentioned at the tail of vs. 23 is expanded upon at the head of vs. 24ff. This paragraph is part of the grounds contained in 1:15-2:5 for the exhortations to c... Read More »

Locate the Passage 1:21-23 is an amplification of the reconciling work of the Son described in 1:20. 1:15-2:5 serve as grounds for the exhortation in 2:6ff. Identify the Genre The macro level is epistolary. The micro level is expository. Determine the Structur... Read More »

Locate the Passage 1:15-20 is the first paragraph of the main body of the letter. 1:15-2:5 serve as grounds for the exhortation in 2:6ff. Identify the Genre The macro level is epistolary. The micro level is expository. Determine the Structure of the Passage Vs... Read More »

Locate the Passage 1:9-14 contains Paul’s prayer for the church at Colossae. This is the final introductory paragraph before the main body of the letter. Identify the Genre The macro level is epistolary. The micro level is expository. Determine the Structure... Read More »

Locate the Passage 1:3-8 contains Paul’s expression of thanksgiving for the Colossians. The order of salutation followed by thanksgiving is a normative pattern for Paul’s letters (Galatians is a notable exception). The thanksgiving is part of the introduct... Read More »