Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Colossians
Colossians exalts the supremacy and complete sufficiency of Christ against every teaching that would diminish Him or add to Him. It declares that in Christ all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, and that in Him we are complete. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Epistle to the Colossians was written by the apostle Paul from prison, likely around AD 60, to a church he had not personally founded but which had been planted by Epaphras. It was written to counter a false teaching that mixed the gospel with human philosophy, legalism, and the worship of angels, pressuring believers to add human traditions and spiritual intermediaries to Christ. Paul's answer is the greatness and all-sufficiency of Jesus.
This commentary covers Colossians verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. Colossians contains one of the highest declarations of Christ in Scripture: He is the image of the invisible God, Creator and Sustainer of all things, in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, so that in Him believers are complete. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
This commentary on Colossians is now complete, covering all four chapters verse by verse.
Author
The apostle Paul, writing from prison.
Setting
Written to the church at Colossae, planted by Epaphras, around AD 60.
Key Themes
The supremacy and all-sufficiency of Christ.
Central Truth
In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (2:9).
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
Colossians Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
Colossians 1:1-29
In Him All the Fullness Dwells
Paul exalts the supremacy of Christ, the image of the invisible God by whom all things were created and hold together, in whom it pleased the Father that all the fullness should dwell.
Read Chapter 1 →Colossians 2:1-23
Complete in Him
'For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him.' Believers are 'buried with him in baptism,' and 'risen with him,' forgiven 'all trespasses,' with the law's condemnation 'nailing it to his cross' and the powers of darkness openly triumphed over. So no legalism, festival, angel worship, or asceticism can add anything: these 'are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.'
Read Chapter 2 →Colossians 3:1-25
Risen with Christ
'If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.' Believers 'mortify' the old sins, 'put off the old man' and 'put on the new man,' where 'Christ is all, and in all.' Clothed in mercy and 'charity, which is the bond of perfectness,' ruled by 'the peace of God,' and filled with 'the word of Christ,' they do 'all in the name of the Lord Jesus,' ordering the whole household to serve 'the Lord Christ.'
Read Chapter 3 →Colossians 4:1-18
Continue in Prayer
'Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving,' praying that God would 'open... a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ.' Believers 'walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time,' with speech 'alway with grace, seasoned with salt.' Paul greets his fellow workers, commends Epaphras 'always labouring fervently for you in prayers,' and signs the letter: 'Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.'
Read Chapter 4 →