How to Read the Book of Colossians: A Practical Guide
Matt · April 10, 2026
Colossians is a four-chapter letter from Paul that answers one central question: who is Jesus, and why does that change everything about how you live?
What Is the Book of Colossians About?
Paul wrote this letter to a church in Colossae (a city in modern-day Turkey) that was being pulled toward a confusing mix of Jewish tradition, Greek philosophy, and early Christian faith. Some teachers were telling believers they needed extra rituals, angelic visions, or secret knowledge on top of Jesus to really be "complete."
Paul's answer? No. You already have everything you need in Christ.
The book divides cleanly into two halves. The first two chapters are theological — Paul makes one of the most sweeping statements about Jesus found anywhere in the Bible, describing him as the image of the invisible God and the one in whom all things hold together. The second two chapters are practical — because of who Christ is, here's how you should treat your spouse, your kids, your coworkers, and your enemies.
This structure is classic Paul: doctrine, then application.
Tips for Reading Colossians
Read it in one sitting. This is one of the most important things you can do with any of Paul's letters. Colossians is short — it takes about 15 minutes to read straight through. When you read it all at once, you see the argument as a whole instead of as disconnected verses. The theological claims in chapters 1-2 make the practical commands in chapters 3-4 feel much more grounded.
Look for the contrast between "before" and "now." Paul repeatedly reminds the Colossian believers of who they were before faith and who they are now. "You were once alienated... but now he has reconciled you" (1:21-22). This before-and-after structure gives the practical sections their emotional weight — Paul isn't just listing rules, he's pointing to a new identity.
Pay attention to the household code in chapter 3-4. Paul's instructions about family roles and relationships were counter-cultural in the Roman world in some ways — including his direct address to enslaved people as moral agents with standing before God. These passages deserve careful reading in their historical context rather than a quick skim.
Look up Laodicea. In chapter 4, Paul mentions a letter to the nearby church in Laodicea and asks the Colossians to share letters. That letter to Laodicea has never been found — it's a small mystery tucked into the ending of a short letter.
Where Colossians Fits in Your Reading Plan
If you're working through the New Testament in order, Colossians sits alongside Ephesians and Philippians as letters written while Paul was in prison. The three letters share themes and are worth reading close together. Ephesians covers similar ground on a larger scale; Philippians is more personal and emotional; Colossians is the tightest and most focused of the three.
Apps like Bible In A Year pace these letters across the year so you don't hit all of Paul's prison letters at once, which helps prevent the "haven't I read this before?" feeling that can set in when you're moving through the epistles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to read Colossians?
The book has four chapters and around 1,500 words. At an average reading pace, you can finish it in 12-15 minutes. It's one of the shorter letters in the New Testament and a great starting point if you've never read Paul before.
Is Colossians hard to understand?
The first chapter has some dense theological language, especially the famous Christ hymn in 1:15-20. But the overall letter is more accessible than, say, Romans or Galatians. Reading a study Bible note on that opening section goes a long way.
Why does Paul write so much about Jesus being supreme in chapter 1?
Because the false teaching threatening the Colossian church was essentially arguing that Jesus wasn't enough. Paul's response is to build the highest possible picture of who Jesus is before addressing any practical concerns — get the foundation right, and the rest follows.