The Link to Philemon

For the index for the Colossians Series, click here.

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I know.  I kind of tricked you into thinking yesterday was our last day of cross-referencing, but the link between Colossians and Philemon really doesn't count as cross-referencing.  It's more like partnering ;)

The first "clue" to the partnering is the list of names found in both books (Paul, Timothy, Luke, Demas, Epaphras, Aristarchus, Mark, Archippus, and notably Onesimus).

As we compare Colossians 4 and Philemon, we find that Paul sent Tychicus with Onesimus to the Colossians to "inform" them about his situation.  Philemon gives Onesimus' back-story.

Furthermore, we learn that the letter Paul sent to Laodicea and Archippus is probably Philemon (since Philemon is addressed to Archippus).  Paul instructs Colosse and Laodicea to share these letters with each other.

This gives some reason as to Paul's lengthy closing in Colossians 4; all of the greetings from his fellow-workers (along with his acceptance of Onesimus) gives some support for his plea to Philemon to accept Onesimus back as more than a servant (or slave).

Anyway, even though there is not a lot to "learn" through this connection, it helps to flush out what was happening in Paul's ministry and gives some insight into his letter to the Colossians.

Remember way back at the end of Week 2 we made an Overview of Colossians?  Time to update!!!

My overview is just a loose-leaf sheet in my binder with the following things listed:  author, recipients, setting, theme, key verse, purpose/occasion, chapter themes, and key words.  If you mark your Bible, add this information in an appropriate margin or space.

Next week we will add some sections (or segments) to the overview and learn how to outline Colossians.

Finishing Cross-Referecing

For the index for the Colossians Series, click here.

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Here is my "mixed bag" of other cross-references for the book of Colossians.

I'm sure you noticed some overlap in my cross-referencing of these passages, and I'm quite sure there are more than five parallel passages between Colossians and other Bible books!

You may have noticed very little cross-referencing between Colossians 4 and other books as we have studied the last few days; tomorrow we will address the parallels in Colossians 4, specifically how Colossians seems to partner with the book of Philemon.

Philemon is a short book of only twenty-five verses; keep an eye out specifically for names mentioned in Colossians 4 and Philemon.

Cross-Reference: Ephesians

For the index for the Colossians Series, click here.

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I found seven cross-references between Ephesians and Colossians (the most between Colossians and any other book).  Here they are!

Tomorrow we will be finishing up the main part of cross-referencing!

While I don't intend for you to spend your day skimming through the entire Bible, maybe you remember a passage you have memorized or read before that you think might match up with something we read in Colossians.  Maybe you have been using a study guide or commentary that suggests more passages.  Maybe you have found a few good cross-references marked in your Bible.  Just see what you can find!!!

If you have no idea where to begin, try Philippians!  It is the last book of the set to cover (Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians).

Cross-Reference: Galatians

For the index for the Colossians Series, click here.

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Galatians and Colossians are considered part of a single section of Paul's letters (Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians).  These four books have a very similar "feel" to them, and they all deal with both doctrine and praxis (Christian living).  I'm sure you found a lot of parallel information in Galatians!!!

I'm going to share four cross-references I marked and why I think they are good parallel passages.

I'm sure you may have found more cross-references (or matched up different ones); just remember that there is no set way to cross-reference!

I hope Galatians whet your appetite, because Ephesians and Colossians have many parallels!!!

How to Cross-Reference

Welcome to Week 8!!!  I can't believe we've come so far so quickly!
Happy Memorial Day to you all!

For the index for the Colossians Series, click here.

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What is cross-referencing?  Finding a verse or passage that says the same thing (or something similar) to another verse or passage.  Example:  Jesus' birth is recounted in Matthew and in Luke; while the focus and stories are different, it still makes the same points.  Another example:  Jesus' baptism is found in all four Gospels and each says almost exactly same thing.

So, I'm going to b honest for a moment with you:  this post has been the most difficult for me to conceptualize and write.  Perhaps it is because I have come to the conclusion that there is no method or set way to cross-reference a passage.

Here is my explanation:

Based on these points, it seems as if there are really only two options when it comes to cross-referencing:
1.  know enough of the Bible to think of parallel passages on your own
2.  follow a cross-reference list from someone else (through commentary, Bible study, etc)

Therefore, I am going to ask all of you to trust me as we move forward in cross-referencing.  I have consulted a few sources and have come up with a few of my own cross-referenced passages.  I am sure I missed thoughts, ideas, and parallels that you or others may see.

It is my hope for us all to learn more and more about the Bible every day; perhaps by studying Colossians together, we can see where it parallels other books of the Bible as we move forward in our studies.

Read through the book of Galatians (only six chapters) and look for passages that sound like or teach something we have learned in Colossians.  Personally, I like skimming over Colossians first to refresh my memory.