This chapter embraces the following topics:
(1) The usual salutation to the church; Colossians 1:1-2.
(2) Thanks to God for what He had done for the Colossians, and for the fruits of the gospel among them; Colossians 1:3-8.
(3) Prayer that they might persevere in the same course, and might walk worthy of their calling; Colossians 1:9-11.
(4) An exhortation to render thanks to God for what He had done for them in redemption; Colossians 1:12-14.
(5) A statement of the exalted dignity of the Redeemer; Colossians 1:15-18.
(6) A statement of what Christ had done in the work of redemption, in making peace by the blood of his cross and reconciling the world to God; Colossians 1:19-20.
(7) Through this gospel, Paul says, they had been reconciled to God, and were now brought into a state in which they might be presented as holy and unblameable in his sight; Colossians 1:21-23.
(8) Of this gospel, Paul says he was a minister; in preaching it he had been called to endure trials, but those trials he endured with joy; and in preaching this gospel he used the utmost diligence, warning every man, and teaching every person in all wisdom, so that he might present each one perfect in Christ Jesus; Colossians 1:24-29.