Introduction to Colossians: Authorship, Date, Audience - Crain Home

Outlines
A. Commendation of Tychicus (4:7-9)
B. Greetings from Paul’s Co-Workers (4:10-14)
C. Greetings from Paul (4:15-18)
5. New American Bible Introduction
I. Address (Col 1:1-14)
II. The Preeminence of Christ (Col 1:15-2:3)
III. Warnings against False Teachers (Col 2:4-23)
IV. The Ideal Christian Life in the World (Col 3:1-4:6)
V. Conclusion (Col 4:7-18)
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/colossians/intro.htm
6, Maranatha Church, Inc.Outline
7. Epistle to the Colossians
Brief Outline http://www.mb-soft.com/believe/txs/colossia.htm
1. Salutation and thanksgiving (1:1-8)
2. Doctrinal section (1:9-2:5)
3. Practical exhortations (2:6-4:6)
4. Concluding salutations (4:7-18)
8. Quartz Hill School of Theology http://www.theology.edu/ntintro/col.htm
As the reader can tell, we have momentarily left the canonical order in our
discussion of its writings. For, as all know, Philippians follows Ephesians. But
because Ephesians and Colossians are both considered pseudonymous by NT
scholars, and because they are so extraordinarily similar in content, character, and
purpose, it seem appropriate to consider them both in close proximity.
The letter to the Colossians was written by a student of Paul’s who lived in
Ephesus and wrote around 80 CE. Colossae was a major city located in the Lycus
River valley in Phrygia in the province of Asia Minor. The church there was
established, not by Paul, but by an associate of his, Epaphras.
The purpose of this letter is identical to the purpose of Ephesians (which see,
above). This has led some to suggest that there may have been a certain group of
Paulinists (disciples of Paul) who associated together and shared many of the same
ideas and theological perspectives. This is certainly a possibility, though there is
no way to demonstrate it. One of the more interesting aspects of Colossians is the
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