Study Guide: Colossians 1:1-8
*This study guide can be used in conjunction with the message preached on January 4, 2026 during the series Jesus > ___________.
Pray
Take a moment to get quiet and still. Reflect on ways God’s grace has been at work in you recently. Give God thanks for what He is doing in your life.
Read
Colossians 1:1-8
Observe
vv. 1–2 | Paul greets the Christians in Colosse
Paul opens the letter by naming himself, following the writing customs of his time. He wrote this letter while in Roman custody (Colossians 4:3, 4:10, 4:18), most likely from Rome around A.D. 63. Paul probably decided to write after receiving a visit from Epaphras, who was from Colosse (Colossians 1:7). It seems Paul had never actually been to this city (Colossians 2:1). Still, he had the authority to address the Colossian church because he was an apostle—someone sent and empowered by God to speak on His behalf. Timothy, who was with Paul, also appears in the greeting, but not as a co-author; he likely served as Paul’s scribe. When Paul addressed the “saints and faithful brothers,” he wasn’t dividing Christians into two classes. Every real believer is a saint, yet Paul may have been recognizing those who stayed faithful despite the false teachings troubling the church. Even though Colosse was a small and declining city—one not mentioned in the Book of Acts—Paul still considered its situation important enough to address. The church there faced a confusing mix of teachings, often called the “Colossian Heresy,” which blended aspects of mystical Judaism, legalism, and early Gnostic ideas. This made their culture similar to ours, where people mix different beliefs and create personalized spirituality. Instead of focusing on the heresy itself, Paul centered on the solution: a clearer, more accurate understanding of Jesus. What we know about the church in Colosse comes mainly from this letter and a few references in the Book of Philemon. Epaphras brought the gospel to this region, likely after hearing Paul preach in Ephesus (Acts 19:10). Historically, Colosse was known for its fabric dyes, though by Paul’s time its influence had faded. Ancient writers like Eusebius and Tacitus even report that an earthquake destroyed the city shortly after Paul wrote this letter. Paul ends his greeting with his familiar blessing—“grace and peace”—showing genuine love for these believers he had never met. His words reflect the power of Christian care, which reaches even those we don’t personally know.
Vs. 3 | Paul’s habit of prayer for the Colossians
Paul tells the Colossians that he consistently prays for them. Even though he hadn’t met most of them, they were still on his prayer list, and he prayed for them regularly and faithfully. When he did pray, he began with gratitude. Paul lived with the kind of prayer life that naturally led to thankfulness, reminding us that those who pray often usually have the most reasons to praise God.
vv. 4–8 | Why Paul was thankful
Paul explains that he gives thanks for the Colossians because he heard about their faith in Jesus and their love for all the saints—two qualities that always go together in true Christian living. He was also thankful because of the hope stored up for them in heaven, a hope they first learned about through the truth of the gospel. This passage highlights Paul’s familiar trio: faith, hope, and love—real virtues that shaped how he saw the Christian life. Paul also expresses gratitude for the way the gospel was bearing fruit in their lives and spreading throughout the world, even while he sat in a Roman prison. Epaphras had taught them this message faithfully; he wasn’t superior to the others but served them as a true minister of Christ. Paul describes the gospel as something actively growing and advancing across the Roman Empire, reaching new people everywhere. Writers of the time even compared the gospel to a traveler racing across the world with a message for every nation. Epaphras had also told Paul about the Colossians’ love in the Spirit, giving Paul even more reason to thank God for them.
Credit: Guzik, David. “Colossians 1 - The Greatness of Jesus Christ.” Enduring Word, n.d., https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/colossians-1.
Application
1. Let the gospel shape your identity and daily walk.
Paul reminds the Colossians who they truly are—saints, faithful brothers and sisters, people marked by grace and peace. In the same way, you can anchor your identity in what God says about you rather than in the changing voices around you. When your identity is rooted in Christ, it guides how you think, respond, and live each day.
2. Cultivate faith, love, and hope as essential marks of spiritual maturity.
Paul praises the church for their faith in Jesus, their love for God’s people, and their hope in heaven. These qualities are not optional—they’re evidence of a growing, healthy Christian life. You can intentionally nurture your faith through Scripture, strengthen your love by serving others, and deepen your hope by keeping eternity in view of your present life.
3. Stay grounded in the true gospel so you can recognize and resist false or watered-down beliefs.
The Colossians faced confusing, blended teachings, and Paul responded by refocusing them on the truth about Jesus. Our culture works similarly, encouraging us to piece together our own spiritual mix. You can guard your heart by knowing the real gospel clearly—what Jesus has done, who He is, and what He calls you to. When you know the truth deeply, you’re better equipped to spot and reject counterfeits.
Pray (ACTS)
What is the ACTS prayer model?
A - Praise God for being the one who bring grace, peace, and true transformation into your life.
C - Confess some of the ways you have allowed distractions, false ideas, or self-reliance pull your focus away from the truth of the gospel.
T - Thank God for faith, love, and hope that He continues to grow within you.
S - Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen you to stay grounded in His truth and to bear lasting fruit in everything you do.
Discuss
Questions for personal reflection, spiritual insight, or group interaction.
What stands out to you about the way Paul speaks to believers he has never met? What does that reveal about Christian community?
How does Paul’s identity as an apostle “by the will of God” challenge or encourage you in your own calling?
In what ways do you tend to base your identity on something other than being “in Christ”?
Paul thanks God for the Colossians’ faith, love, and hope—of these three, which one feels strongest in your life right now, and which needs growth?
What influences or beliefs in today’s culture tempt you to mix or soften the gospel message?
How can you better ground yourself in the truth of the gospel so you can recognize and resist false ideas?
Who has played the role of “Epaphras” in your life—someone who helped you hear and understand the gospel?
Where do you see the gospel “bearing fruit” in your life right now?
Paul consistently prayed for people he didn’t personally know; who might God be prompting you to pray for more intentionally?
How does the hope stored up for you in heaven shape the way you live day to day?
What would it look like for you to show “love in the Spirit” to someone in your community this week?
When you think of the gospel spreading “throughout the whole world,” how does that broaden your perspective on God’s mission and your part in it?
Memory Verse
“In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world - just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace.” - Colossians 1:6
Resources for Further Study of Colossians: