In Christ: Paul's Letter to the Colossians

In Christ: Paul's Letter to the Colossians

Paul’s letter to the Colossians is written from prison. That’s a hugely important thing to remember throughout the letter, especially given its themes about the Lordship of Christ. In Paul’s time, under the Roman Empire, Caesar was Lord, and all of life was oriented around this basic and fundamental truth. However, for the Christian, Paul says, Jesus is Lord, and all of life is oriented around this basic and fundamental truth. Because Christians proclaim a different Lord than the Empire does, the lives, behaviour, and practices of Christians ought to look fundamentally different than everyday Roman life.

We have chosen the theme “In Christ” for this series on Colossians, because for Paul, everything about the letter finds its root, its foundation, its core in Christ. He gives thanks in Christ for the believers’ faith in Christ. He sees God in Christ and Christ in us and us in Christ. There is freedom in Christ because we die and are raised to life in Christ. We live in Christ and speak in Christ and greet one another in Christ because Christ is all and is in all.

The Bible Project’s video introduction to Colossians is a really helpful resource that can bring the letter to life in a new way.