Paul’s journey to & imprisonment in Rome Acts Letter Writing continues from Rome with Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, & Hebrews

Similarities between Ephesians & Colossians:

EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Both written approx. A.D – “prison epistles” 2.Both emphasize Christ and His Church 3.Christ is head of church Christ is head of all creation 4.Christians are membersChrist is head, of whose of the body of Christbody Christians are members 5.Divided into doctrinal (Eph. 1-3; Col. 1-2); and practical (Eph. 4-6; Col. 3-4).

Similarities between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Both written approx. A.D – “prison epistles” 2.Both emphasize Christ and His Church 3.Christ is head of church Christ is head of all creation 4.Christians are membersChrist is head, of whose of the body of Christbody Christians are members 5.Divided into doctrinal (Eph. 1-3; Col. 1-2); and practical (Eph. 4-6; Col. 3-4).

Similarities between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Both written approx. A.D – “prison epistles” 2.Both emphasize Christ and His Church 3.Christ is head of church Christ is head of all creation 4.Christians are membersChrist is head, of whose of the body of Christbody Christians are members 5.Divided into doctrinal (Eph. 1-3; Col. 1-2); and practical (Eph. 4-6; Col. 3-4).

Similarities between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Both written approx. A.D – “prison epistles” 2.Both emphasize Christ and His Church 3.Christ is head of church Christ is head of all creation 4.Christians are membersChrist is head, of whose of the body of Christbody Christians are members 5.Divided into doctrinal (Eph. 1-3; Col. 1-2); and practical (Eph. 4-6; Col. 3-4).

Similarities between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Both written approx. A.D – “prison epistles” 2.Both emphasize Christ and His Church 3.Christ is head of church Christ is head of all creation 4.Christians are membersChrist is head, of whose of the body of Christbody Christians are members 5.Divided into doctrinal (Eph. 1-3; Col. 1-2); and practical (Eph. 4-6; Col. 3-4).

Similarities between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Both written approx. A.D – “prison epistles” 2.Both emphasize Christ and His Church 3.Christ is head of church Christ is head of all creation 4.Christians are membersChrist is head, of whose of the body of Christbody Christians are members 5.Divided into doctrinal (Eph. 1-3; Col. 1-2); and practical (Eph. 4-6; Col. 3-4).

Similarities between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Both written approx. A.D – “prison epistles” 2.Both emphasize Christ and His Church 3.Christ is head of church Christ is head of all creation 4.Christians are membersChrist is head, of whose of the body of Christbody Christians are members doctrinalpractical 5.Divided into doctrinal (Eph. 1-3; Col. 1-2); and practical (Eph. 4-6; Col. 3-4).

Differences between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Unity is in Christ Spiritual completeness is in (chs. 2, 4) Christ (2:9-10) 2. “Mystery”—unity of“Mystery”—Christ in Jew & Gentile (3:3-6)Christians (1:26-27) 3. Christ is head overChrist is Lord (head) over all His church (1:22-23)creation (1:15-17) 4. Softer tone; not as Stronger tone; confronts argumentative (1-3)specific false teachings (ch.2)

Differences between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Unity is in Christ Spiritual completeness is in (chs. 2, 4) Christ (2:9-10) 2. “Mystery”—unity of“Mystery”—Christ in Jew & Gentile (3:3-6)Christians (1:26-27) 3. Christ is head overChrist is Lord (head) over all His church (1:22-23)creation (1:15-17) 4. Softer tone; not as Stronger tone; confronts argumentative (1-3)specific false teachings (ch.2)

Differences between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Unity is in Christ Spiritual completeness is in (chs. 2, 4) Christ (2:9-10) 2. “Mystery”—unity of“Mystery”—Christ in Jew & Gentile (3:3-6)Christians (1:26-27) 3. Christ is head overChrist is Lord (head) over all His church (1:22-23)creation (1:15-17) 4. Softer tone; not as Stronger tone; confronts argumentative (1-3)specific false teachings (ch.2)

Differences between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Unity is in Christ Spiritual completeness is in (chs. 2, 4) Christ (2:9-10) 2. “Mystery”—unity ofMystery”—Christ in Jew & Gentile (3:3-6)Christians (1:26-27) 3. Christ is head overChrist is Lord (head) over all His church (1:22-23)creation (1:15-17) 4. Softer tone; not as Stronger tone; confronts argumentative (1-3)specific false teachings (ch.2)

Differences between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Unity is in Christ Spiritual completeness is in (chs. 2, 4) Christ (2:9-10) 2. “Mystery”—unity of“Mystery”—Christ in Jew & Gentile (3:3-6)Christians (1:26-27) 3. Christ is head overChrist is Lord (head) over all His church (1:22-23)creation (1:15-17) 4. Softer tone; not as Stronger tone; confronts argumentative (1-3)specific false teachings (ch.2)

Differences between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Unity is in Christ Spiritual completeness is in (chs. 2, 4) Christ (2:9-10) 2. “Mystery”—unity of“Mystery”—Christ in Jew & Gentile (3:3-6)Christians (1:26-27) 3. Christ is head overChrist is Lord (head) over all His church (1:22-23)creation (1:15-17) 4. Softer tone; not as Stronger tone; confronts argumentative (1-3)specific false teachings (ch.2)

Differences between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Unity is in Christ Spiritual completeness is in (chs. 2, 4) Christ (2:9-10) 2. “Mystery”—unity of“Mystery”—Christ in Jew & Gentile (3:3-6)Christians (1:26-27) 3. Christ is head overChrist is Lord (head) over all His church (1:22-23)creation (1:15-17) 4. Softer tone; not as Stronger tone; confronts argumentative (1-3)specific false teachings (ch.2)

Differences between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Unity is in Christ Spiritual completeness is in (chs. 2, 4) Christ (2:9-10) 2. “Mystery”—unity of“Mystery”—Christ in Jew & Gentile (3:3-6)Christians (1:26-27) 3. Christ is head overChrist is Lord (head) over all His church (1:22-23)creation (1:15-17) 4. Softer tone; not as Stronger tone; confronts argumentative (1-3)specific false teachings (ch.2)

Differences between Ephesians & Colossians: EphesiansColossians Ephesians Colossians 1.Unity is in Christ Spiritual completeness is in (chs. 2, 4) Christ (2:9-10) 2. “Mystery”—unity of“Mystery”—Christ in Jew & Gentile (3:3-6)Christians (1:26-27) 3. Christ is head overChrist is Lord (head) over all His church (1:22-23)creation (1:15-17) 4. Softer tone; not as Stronger tone; confronts argumentative (1-3)specific false teachings (ch. 2)

Likely Problems Addressed in Colossians growing out of early Gnostic teachings: 1.Mixture of Jewish mysticism, legalism, early Gnosticism, & Greek philosophy (ch. 2:8-15). 2.Observance of Jewish rules about food, the sabbath, special festivals, asceticism, would guarantee salvation (ch. 2:16-23). 3. Mysticism claiming Christ was a higher being, but not God (ch. 2:1-4, 20-23).

Likely Problems Addressed in Colossians growing out of early Gnostic teachings: 1.Mixture of Jewish mysticism, legalism, early Gnosticism, & Greek philosophy (ch. 2:8-15). 2.Observance of Jewish rules about food, the sabbath, special festivals, asceticism, would guarantee salvation (ch. 2:16-23). 3. Mysticism claiming Christ was a higher being, but not God (ch. 2:1-4, 20-23).

Likely Problems Addressed in Colossians growing out of early Gnostic teachings: 1.Mixture of Jewish mysticism, legalism, early Gnosticism, & Greek philosophy (ch. 2:8-15). 2.Observance of Jewish rules about food, the sabbath, special festivals, asceticism, would guarantee salvation (ch. 2:16-23). 3. Mysticism claiming Christ was a higher being, but not God (ch. 2:1-4, 20-23).

Likely Problems Addressed in Colossians growing out of early Gnostic teachings: 1.Mixture of Jewish mysticism, legalism, early Gnosticism, & Greek philosophy (ch. 2:8-15). 2.Observance of Jewish rules about food, the sabbath, special festivals, asceticism, would guarantee salvation (ch. 2:16-23). 3. Mysticism claiming Christ was a higher being, but not God (ch. 2:1-4, 20-23).

Gnosticism: Gnosticism: From “gnosis” – knowledge. 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge. Therefore “knowledge” (theirs) replaced faith (the gospel).  Col. 2:1-3 2.Matter was inherently evil. God did not create the world, but an angel or secondary god. Jesus Christ did not come in a physical body. If he actually dwelled in a physical body, he was not God, denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, therefore Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 4. Morality affected in 1 of 2 ways, both wrong. 1) Since body is evil & spirit good, nothing done by the body could harm the spirit; 2) Asceticism – since body is evil, deny it every pleasure and thus elevate the spirit.  Col. 2:20 – 4:6

Gnosticism: Gnosticism: From “gnosis” – knowledge. 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge. 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge. Therefore “knowledge” (theirs) replaced faith (the gospel).  Col. 2:1-3 2.Matter was inherently evil. God did not create the world, but an angel or secondary god. Jesus Christ did not come in a physical body. If he actually dwelled in a physical body, he was not God, denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, therefore Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 4. Morality affected in 1 of 2 ways, both wrong. 1) Since body is evil & spirit good, nothing done by the body could harm the spirit; 2) Asceticism – since body is evil, deny it every pleasure and thus elevate the spirit.  Col. 2:20 – 4:6

Gnosticism: Gnosticism: From “gnosis” – knowledge. 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge.  Col. 2:1-3 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge. Therefore “knowledge” (theirs) replaced faith (the gospel).  Col. 2:1-3 2.Matter was inherently evil. God did not create the world, but an angel or secondary god. Jesus Christ did not come in a physical body. If he actually dwelled in a physical body, he was not God, denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, therefore Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 4. Morality affected in 1 of 2 ways, both wrong. 1) Since body is evil & spirit good, nothing done by the body could harm the spirit; 2) Asceticism – since body is evil, deny it every pleasure and thus elevate the spirit.  Col. 2:20 – 4:6

Gnosticism: Gnosticism: From “gnosis” – knowledge. 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge.  Col. 2:1-3 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge. Therefore “knowledge” (theirs) replaced faith (the gospel).  Col. 2:1-3 2.Matter was inherently evil. denying His deity! 2.Matter was inherently evil. God did not create the world, but an angel or secondary god. Jesus Christ did not come in a physical body. If he actually dwelled in a physical body, he was not God, denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, therefore Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 4. Morality affected in 1 of 2 ways, both wrong. 1) Since body is evil & spirit good, nothing done by the body could harm the spirit; 2) Asceticism – since body is evil, deny it every pleasure and thus elevate the spirit.  Col. 2:20 – 4:6

Gnosticism: Gnosticism: From “gnosis” – knowledge. 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge.  Col. 2:1-3 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge. Therefore “knowledge” (theirs) replaced faith (the gospel).  Col. 2:1-3 2.Matter was inherently evil. denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 2.Matter was inherently evil. God did not create the world, but an angel or secondary god. Jesus Christ did not come in a physical body. If he actually dwelled in a physical body, he was not God, denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, therefore Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 4. Morality affected in 1 of 2 ways, both wrong. 1) Since body is evil & spirit good, nothing done by the body could harm the spirit; 2) Asceticism – since body is evil, deny it every pleasure and thus elevate the spirit.  Col. 2:20 – 4:6

Gnosticism: Gnosticism: From “gnosis” – knowledge. 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge.  Col. 2:1-3 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge. Therefore “knowledge” (theirs) replaced faith (the gospel).  Col. 2:1-3 2.Matter was inherently evil. denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 2.Matter was inherently evil. God did not create the world, but an angel or secondary god. Jesus Christ did not come in a physical body. If he actually dwelled in a physical body, he was not God, denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, Gnosticism denied His humanity. 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, therefore Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 4. Morality affected in 1 of 2 ways, both wrong. 1) Since body is evil & spirit good, nothing done by the body could harm the spirit; 2) Asceticism – since body is evil, deny it every pleasure and thus elevate the spirit.  Col. 2:20 – 4:6

Gnosticism: Gnosticism: From “gnosis” – knowledge. 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge.  Col. 2:1-3 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge. Therefore “knowledge” (theirs) replaced faith (the gospel).  Col. 2:1-3 2.Matter was inherently evil. denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 2.Matter was inherently evil. God did not create the world, but an angel or secondary god. Jesus Christ did not come in a physical body. If he actually dwelled in a physical body, he was not God, denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, therefore Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 4. Morality affected in 1 of 2 ways, both wrong. 1) Since body is evil & spirit good, nothing done by the body could harm the spirit; 2) Asceticism – since body is evil, deny it every pleasure and thus elevate the spirit.  Col. 2:20 – 4:6

Gnosticism: Gnosticism: From “gnosis” – knowledge. 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge.  Col. 2:1-3 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge. Therefore “knowledge” (theirs) replaced faith (the gospel).  Col. 2:1-3 2.Matter was inherently evil. denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 2.Matter was inherently evil. God did not create the world, but an angel or secondary god. Jesus Christ did not come in a physical body. If he actually dwelled in a physical body, he was not God, denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, therefore Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 4. Morality affected in 1 of 2 ways, both wrong. 4. Morality affected in 1 of 2 ways, both wrong. 1) Since body is evil & spirit good, nothing done by the body could harm the spirit; 2) Asceticism – since body is evil, deny it every pleasure and thus elevate the spirit.  Col. 2:20 – 4:6

Gnosticism: Gnosticism: From “gnosis” – knowledge. 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge.  Col. 2:1-3 1.Special knowledge needed to break away from physical realm and into the spiritual realm; salvation only comes by special knowledge. Therefore “knowledge” (theirs) replaced faith (the gospel).  Col. 2:1-3 2.Matter was inherently evil. denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 2.Matter was inherently evil. God did not create the world, but an angel or secondary god. Jesus Christ did not come in a physical body. If he actually dwelled in a physical body, he was not God, denying His deity!  Col. 1:15-17; 2:9 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 3.If Jesus were God, He only came as an apparition, therefore Gnosticism denied His humanity.  Col. 1:20 4. Morality affected in 1 of 2 ways, both wrong.  Col. 2:20 – 4:6 4. Morality affected in 1 of 2 ways, both wrong. 1) Since body is evil & spirit good, nothing done by the body could harm the spirit; 2) Asceticism – since body is evil, deny it every pleasure and thus elevate the spirit.  Col. 2:20 – 4:6

Colossians 3 Old Man Fornication, Uncleanness, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness, Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language, Blasphemy, Lying, etc.

Colossians 3 Old Man New Man Fornication, Uncleanness, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness, Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language, Blasphemy, Lying, etc. Holy & Beloved, Heart of Compassion, Kind, Humble, Meek, Longsuffering, Forbearing One Another, Forgiving, Love, Peaceful, Christ’s word dwelling, Right Behavior in all relationships…

Colossians 3 Old Man New Man Fornication, Uncleanness, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness, Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language, Blasphemy, Lying, etc. Holy & Beloved, Heart of Compassion, Kind, Humble, Meek, Longsuffering, Forbearing One Another, Forgiving, Love, Peaceful, Christ’s word dwelling, Right Behavior in all relationships… Old man dies to sin, is buried with Christ in baptism, & raised with Him (2:12; Rom. 6:3ff).

Colossians 3 Old Man New Man Fornication, Uncleanness, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness, Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language, Blasphemy, Lying, etc. Holy & Beloved, Heart of Compassion, Kind, Humble, Meek, Longsuffering, Forbearing One Another, Forgiving, Love, Peaceful, Christ’s word dwelling, Right Behavior in all relationships… Old man dies to sin, is buried with Christ in baptism, & raised with Him (2:12; Rom. 6:3ff). Seeks things above, affection on heaven, life is hid with God in Christ (3:1-4).

Colossians 3 Old Man New Man Fornication, Uncleanness, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness, Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language, Blasphemy, Lying, etc. Holy & Beloved, Heart of Compassion, Kind, Humble, Meek, Longsuffering, Forbearing One Another, Forgiving, Love, Peaceful, Christ’s word dwelling, Right Behavior in all relationships… Old man dies to sin, is buried with Christ in baptism, & raised with Him (2:12; Rom. 6:3ff). Seeks things above, affection on heaven, life is hid with God in Christ (3:1-4).

Colossians 3 Old Man New Man Fornication, Uncleanness, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness, Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language, Blasphemy, Lying, etc. Holy & Beloved, Heart of Compassion, Kind, Humble, Meek, Longsuffering, Forbearing One Another, Forgiving, Love, Peaceful, Christ’s word dwelling, Right Behavior in all relationships… Old man dies to sin, is buried with Christ in baptism, & raised with Him (2:12; Rom. 6:3ff). Seeks things above, affection on heaven, life is hid with God in Christ (3:1-4). “Put on new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him” (3:10)

Colossians 3 Old Man New Man Fornication, Uncleanness, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness, Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language, Blasphemy, Lying, etc. Holy & Beloved, Heart of Compassion, Kind, Humble, Meek, Longsuffering, Forbearing One Another, Forgiving, Love, Peaceful, Christ’s word dwelling, Right Behavior in all relationships… Old man dies to sin, is buried with Christ in baptism, & raised with Him (2:12; Rom. 6:3ff). Seeks things above, affection on heaven, life is hid with God in Christ (3:1-4). “Put on new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him” (3:10)

Colossians 3 Old Man New Man Fornication, Uncleanness, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness, Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language, Blasphemy, Lying, etc. Holy & Beloved, Heart of Compassion, Kind, Humble, Meek, Longsuffering, Forbearing One Another, Forgiving, Love, Peaceful, Christ’s word dwelling, Right Behavior in all relationships… Old man dies to sin, is buried with Christ in baptism, & raised with Him (2:12; Rom. 6:3ff). Seeks things above, affection on heaven, life is hid with God in Christ (3:1-4). “Put on new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him” (3:10) Col. 3:4; 1:28; Gal. 2:20

Colossians 3 Old Man New Man Fornication, Uncleanness, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness, Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language, Blasphemy, Lying, etc. Holy & Beloved, Heart of Compassion, Kind, Humble, Meek, Longsuffering, Forbearing One Another, Forgiving, Love, Peaceful, Christ’s word dwelling, Right Behavior in all relationships… Old man dies to sin, is buried with Christ in baptism, & raised with Him (2:12; Rom. 6:3ff). Seeks things above, affection on heaven, life is hid with God in Christ (3:1-4). “Put on new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him” (3:10) Col. 3:4; 1:28; Gal. 2:20 Old man has died; new man is “alive together with Him” (2:13).

Colossians 3 Old Man New Man Fornication, Uncleanness, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness, Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language, Blasphemy, Lying, etc. The “new man” continues throughout life to seek things above, growing in his character to be like Jesus, that he might live eternally with the Lord (II Pet. 1:3-4; Rom. 8:28-30). Old man dies to sin, is buried with Christ in baptism, & raised with Him (2:12; Rom. 6:3ff). Seeks things above, affection on heaven, life is hid with God in Christ (3:1-4). “Put on new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him” (3:10) Col. 3:4; 1:28; Gal. 2:20 Old man has died; new man is “alive together with Him” (2:13).

Have you died to sin, been buried with Christ in baptism, and been raised to walk with Him in newness of life and as a new person?

Are you seeking things above, where Christ is, striving to be like Jesus in every way, longing to be with Him in heaven?