Outline of Colossians

by Matt Slick

1. Jesus as the All-Sufficient Savior is the Object of the Believer’s faith (Chapters 1-2)
   1. Belief in Jesus results in faith, hope, and love (1:1-1:12)
      1. Greetings (1:1-2)
      2. Reasons for thanksgiving (1:3-8)
      3. Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians (1:9-12)
   2. Christ’s preeminence (1:13-23)
      1. In Creation (1:13-20)
      2. In Redemption (1:21-23)
      3. In His Church (1:24-2:3)
   3. Our Freedom in Christ (2:4-23)
      1. Freedom from false teachings (2:4-7)
      2. Freedom from false philosophy (2:8-10)
      3. Freedom from false judgments of Men (2:11-17)
      4. Freedom from false worship (2:18-19)
      5. Freedom from the false doctrines of Men (2:20-23)
2. The Submission of the Christian to Christ and His Church (Chapters 3-4)
   1. Our life in Christ (3:1-17)
      1. Raised with Christ (3:1-4)
      2. Put off the old man (3:5-11)
      3. Put on the new man (3:12-17)
      4. Teachings about holiness (3:18-4:6)
         1. In the family (3:18-21)
         2. At work (3:22-4:1)
         3. In prayer (4:2-4)
         4. With unbelievers (4:5-6)
   2. Conclusion (4:7-18)
      1. Commendation of Tychicus (4:7-9)
      2. Greetings from Paul’s Friends (4:10-14)
      3. Paul’s Personal Farewell (4:15-18)