Letters from Prison - Colossians 3:1-11
This is the "bridge passage" that links together the two main sections of this letter.
The new believers of Colossae were being influenced by a first century type, progressive Christianity: a lot of mysticism, legalism, ritualism, and asceticism. So, here is how the book flows.
Colossians 1
First, in verses 1 through 14, we find that Jesus Christ is preeminent in the Gospel.
Second, in verses 15 through 17, we find that Jesus Christ is preeminent in the Creation.
And third, in verses 18 through 23, we find that Jesus Christ is preeminent in the Church.
And fourthly, in chapter one verses 24 through 29, we find that Jesus Christ is preeminent in genuine ministry.
Colossians 2
And then in chapter 2, under the overall heading that Jesus Christ is the Truth, we have Christ’s preeminence defended. And Paul defends Christ’s preeminence against three dangers that just about every individual Christian, and just about every local church, will face sooner or later.
First, there is the danger of empty philosophies, like Critical Race Theory, instead of Christ, in chapter 2 verses 1 through 10.
Second, there is the danger of legalism instead of Christ, in chapter 2 verses 11 through 17.
And thirdly, there is the danger of man-made doctrines instead of Christ, in chapter 2 verses 18 through 23.
So in chapter 2, the Apostle Paul defends the preeminence of Christ against those three dangers, and he declares the preeminence of Christ as the sure cure for vain philosophies, and for legalism, and for man-made doctrines.
Transition: Our passage is a “bridge” passage that joins the indicatives concerning our salvation in Christ (chap. 1-2) with the ethical demands, the imperatives that flow from these grace truths (chap. 3-4).
And then in chapters 3 and 4, under the overall heading of Jesus Christ is the Life, we have Christ’s preeminence demonstrated. And Paul says that the preeminence of Christ must be demonstrated in the believer’s life, and in the life of the church, in 6 ways.
Colossians 3 and 4
First, Christ must be preeminent in the Christian’s conduct. We have that in chapter 3 verses 1 through 11.
Second, Christ must be preeminent in the Christian’s character. We find that in chapter 3 verses 12 through 17.
Third, Christ must be preeminent in the Christian’s home. We find that in verses 18 through 21.
Fourth, Christ must be preeminent in the Christian’s work. Paul addresses this in chapter 3 verse 22 through chapter 4 verse 1.
Fifth, Christ must be preeminent in the Christian’s witness. We find this in chapter 4 verses 2 through 6.
And finally number six, Christ must be preeminent in the Christian’s service. We find this in the rest of chapter 4, verses 7 through 18.
