Colossians 3

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 3

If you are looking for the beginning of the study for the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!

Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Death & Resurrection, Justice, Being Chosen, Music, Forgiveness, Peace, Love

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. According to Paul, what are those who have been “raised with Christ” supposed to do?

2. When “Christ appears” what will happen for his followers at that point?

3. What things did Paul say believers were to “put to death?”

4. What justification did Paul give for why these things should be put to death?

5. What did Paul say the Colossian Christians were being “renewed” with now that they had “put on the new self?”

6. What else did Paul say believers were to “put on” now that they have put on the new self?

7. What basis did Paul cite as to why Christians must be willing to forgive each other?

8. What should the Colossians let “rule” in their hearts?

9. What command was given to:

   1. Wives:

   2. Husbands:

   3. Children:

   4. Fathers:

   5. Bondservants:

10. According to the apostle Paul, whom do Christians ultimately work for no matter what their position or station in life happens to be?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. What does it mean to “set your mind on things that are above?”

2. Paul wrote, “for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” In what way have believers died? What does it mean for our life to be hidden with Christ?

3. Why might “covetousness” be equated with “idolatry?”

4. The apostle Paul writes in the past tense (e.g. “you have died” and “seeing that you have put off the old self”). How can it be that Christians both “have” done this while still needing to “put to death what is earthly” in them (present tense)? What does Paul mean by writing in this double kind of way?

5. What is Paul’s purpose in stating that “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free?” Why is he mentioning these various antitheses next to one another? 

6. What is the relationship between how God has treated us in Christ with how we should treat others?

7. Consider Colossians 3:16 closely. What can we learn from this about the role and purpose of music in the gathered church and the kind of music that should be employed in worship?

8. What does it mean to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men?”

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. Paul says “the wrath of God” is coming upon the world due to the godless deeds that mankind does. Do you think wrath is a trait that human persons can also justly exhibit or does wrath only rightly belong to God? Explain your answer carefully and with good reasoning. 

2. The apostle speaks a lot in this reading about “putting to death” or “putting off” certain deeds and “putting on” others. How does one rid themselves of undesirable habits? How do we develop more virtuous (godly) habits? Explain what all you think a person ought to do if he or she is to take seriously what Paul (writing with the authority of Christ) is commanding believers to do here.

3. Define “submission.” Is submitting to someone else inherently right or wrong? How important is submission to the health and well-being of a society? Who or what should determine when a person ought or ought not to submit to someone else (or some institution)? Explain your answer thoughtfully.

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. The apostle tells us that “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 and explain how this passage expounds upon what Paul is saying here in Colossians 3.

2. Paul refers to Christians as God’s “Chosen ones.” Read Ephesians 1:3-14 and Romans 8:28-39. What does it mean to be chosen by God and what are some implications of having that status before him?