PAUL'S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

AN OUTLINE

1. Introduction (1:1-14)
   
   1. Salutation (1:1-2)
      
   2. Thanksgiving (1:3-8)
      
   3. Apostolic prayer (1:9-14)
   
   
2. Christian doctrine (1:15--3:4)
   
   1. Paul's Christology (1:15-23)
      
      1. The person of Christ (1:15-19)
         
      2. The work of Christ accomplished (1:20)
         
      3. The work of Christ applied (1:21-23)
      
      
   2. Paul's ministry (1:24-29)
      
   3. Paul's concerns (2:1-7)
      
   4. Paul's polemic against false teaching (2:8-23)
      
      1. Warning against false philosophy (2:8)
         
      2. The completeness of Christ's work (2:9-15)
         
      3. False practices condemned (2:16-23)
         
         1. Ritualism condemned (2:16-17)
            
         2. Worship of angel condemned (2:18-19)
            
         3. Ascetism condemned (2:20-23)
   
   
3. The Christian life (3:1--4:6)
   
   1. The true basis of the Christian life (3:1-4)
      
   2. The Christian walk (3:5-3:17)
      
   3. The Christian family (3:18--4:1)
      
   4. Prayer (4:2-4)
      
   5. Conduct (4:5-6)
   
   
4. Conclusion (4:7-18)
   
   1. Commendation of Tychicus and Onesimus (4:7-9)
      
   2. Greetings from friends (4:10-14)
      
   3. Messages (4:15-17)
      
   4. Paul's own greeting (4:18)