Chapter 6 of 343

Analysis Of Colossians

I. PRESCRIPT (1:1-2)

II. THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST (1:3-23)

1. THANKSGIVING FOR NEWS OF THE COLOSSIANS’ FAITH (1:3-8)

2. PRAYER FOR THE COLOSSIANS’ SPIRITUAL WELFARE (1:9-14)

3. HYMN IN HONOR OF CHRIST (1:15-20)

(1) Christ the Agent in Creation (1:15-16)

(2) Lord of the Universe and Head of the Church (1:17-18a)

(3) Christ the Agent in Reconciliation (1:18b-20)

4. SINNERS RECONCILED TO GOD (1:21-23)

III. PAUL’S MINISTRY (1:24-2:7)

1. STEWARDSHIP OF THE DIVINE MYSTERY (1:24-29)

2. CONCERN FOR THE CHRISTIANS OF THE LYCUS VALLEY (2:1-5)

(1) Reassurance of Paul’s Prayers for Them (2:1-3)

(2) His Anxiety Lest They Be Misled (2:4-5)

3. MAINTAINING THE TRADITION OF CHRIST (2:6-7)

IV. FALSE TEACHING AND ITS ANTIDOTE (2:8 – 3:4)

1. THE ALL-SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST (2:8-15)

(1) The Fullness of Christ (2:8-10)

(2) The New Circumcision (2:11-12)

(3) The Triumph of Christ (2:13-15)

2. GUARD YOUR FREEDOM! (2:16-19)

(1) Freedom in Respect of Food and Festivals (2:16-17)

(2) Freedom in Respect of Asceticism and Angel Worship (2:18-19)

3. YOU DIED WITH CHRIST; THEREFORE . . . (2:20-23)

4. YOU WERE RAISED WITH CHRIST; THEREFORE . . . (3:1-4)

V. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (3:5–4:6)

1. “PUT OFF” (3:5-11)

2. “PUT ON” (3:12-17)

3. “BE SUBJECT” (3:18-4:1)

(1) Wives and Husbands (3:18-19)

(2) Children and Parents (3:20-21)

(3) Slaves and Masters (3:22-4:1)

4. “WATCH AND PRAY” (4:2-6)

VI. PERSONAL NOTES (4:7-17)

1. PAUL’S MESSENGERS (4:7-9)

2. GREETINGS FROM PAUL’S COMPANIONS (4:10-14)

3. MESSAGES FOR VARIOUS FRIENDS (4:15-17)

VII. FINAL GREETING AND BENEDICTION (4:18)