II. EXPLANATION OF THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST 1:15-29

Paul next proceeded to reiterate the "full knowledge"about Jesus Christ, which the false teachers in Colosse were attacking. He did so to give his readers fuller knowledge of God's will so they would reject the false teaching of those who were demeaning Christ.

"The doctrine of Christ was the principal truth threatened by the false teaching at Colossae, and this is the doctrine Paul presents to his readers before dealing specifically with the false teaching."³⁸

 A. The preeminent person of Christ 1:15-20

In this section Paul revealed in what senses Christ is preeminent. One writer observed that this passage "represents a loftier conception of Christ's person than is found anywhere else in the writings of Paul."³⁹Paul described Jesus Christ in three relationships: to deity, to creation, and to the church.⁴⁰

 B. The reconciling work of Christ 1:21-29

Paul continued his exposition of Christ's superiority with emphasis on His reconciling work. He did this to ground his readers further in the full truth of God's revelation so the false teachers among them would not lead them astray.