We recently were blessed to lead a home Bible Study, using Paul’s letter to the Colossians as our material. I want to share our “question and answer” approach with you just to encourage your own study but also because it might be useful to use with others. References to our blog are found at https://ronandcindy.blogspot.com/.
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An introduction to Colossians can be found in your favorite Study Bible or a Bible encyclopedia. This, coupled with maps of the area should help in setting the scene. It is important to note Paul, as far as we know, had never been to Colossae. Ephesus was as close as he came in the record of Acts. Ephesians and Colossians were written at the same time (which accounts for significant similarities between the two letters) and carried by the same courier, Tychicus (Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7). A letter to nearby Laodicea at the same time has not been saved in Scripture (Col. 4:16).
1. 1:1: In what sense was Paul an apostle by the will of God?
Consider the historical account in Acts 9:1-9,11-16 and Paul’s commentary in 1 Cor. 15:9-11. Other passages with commentary from Paul include Acts 26:12-23 (Paul shares the Damascus Road experience and how he obeyed the Lord’s call); 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Paul’s situation as an Apostle is unique, but every believer has a “calling” to serve the Lord. Some discussion of spiritual gifts and the direction of the local body of believers to which we belong are usually part of that call to ministry.
2. 1:2: Are the “saints” and “faithful brethren” two classes of Christians or two descriptions of a Christian?
“Saints” means holy ones, ones set apart. Heb. 12:14 says no one will see God without being “set apart.” We considered this question because there were Roman Catholic issues to be considered in our group. Our blog contains 4 posts from Sept. 22-25, 2026.
3. 1:2: Who is responsible to be “faithful”?
As with any issue of “faith” we must “continue in the faith” (Col. 1:23), yet it is the work of God that makes this possible (Phil. 1:6; Jude 1:24-25). It requires His work of sanctification and He is faithful to do this (1 Thess. 5:23-24).
4. Why do we need “grace AND peace”?
We previously referred to 1 Cor. 15:9-11 where Paul explains how God’s grace works in the believer to carry out His will and ministry. But being as peace with God (which we have as believers, Rom. 5:1-2) (inner peace as in Phil. 4:6-7) we are able to receive this grace. Thus, one of the things Jesus provided for His disciples in John 14 was peace that would keep them from being troubled or afraid (Jn. 14:1,27).
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