Notes from Image of the Invisible:
Colossians 1:15-28.
Colossians 1:15-20 continues the prayer that opens Paul’s letter with the words of a hymn that was familiar to the Colossians.
- What does this hymn proclaim about Christ? The hymn begins by celebrating that Christ offers a concrete vision of God, who is invisible, and goes on to celebrate his involvement in creation, his pre-eminence over all things, his headship of the church, and his work as the reconciler of all things to God (Colossians 1: 15-20).
- Which attributes of Christ do you find hopeful? Awe-inspiring? Difficult to grasp? Why?
- In Colossians 1:21-23 Paul explains how this hymn specifically applies to the Colossians. How does Paul describe the Colossians’ lives before they heard “the hope promised by the gospel? (Colossians 1:23) Paul describes the Colossians as estranged from God, hostile in mind, and doing evil deeds (Colossians 1:21).
- How did Christ transform their lives? Christ restored their relationship with God through his death on the cross (Colossians 1: 20, 22).
- What are the Colossians called to continue in response to Christ’s action on their behalf? They are to maintain an unwavering commitment to the gospel they have already heard (Colossians 1:23).
- Paul did not plant the church at Colossae, and he has never met the Colossians. How might his description of himself and his ministry (Colossians 1:24-28) influence their acceptance of his teaching?
- Name one way you are willing to commit to “continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard” (Colossians 1:23). How can your church community help you maintain that commitment?