BBB Bible Series: Colossians Trivia Quiz

Answer: Epaphras

"All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit." (Colossians 1:6-8)

Epaphras was probably a disciple of Paul and established the church at Colosse. Paul wrote this letter after Epaphras brought him a report that superstitious observances and human philosophies were obscuring the gospel at this church.

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

Answer: The invisible God

"He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:15-17)

One of the teachings Paul was refuting was the false worship and veneration of angels. One statement in these teachings was that angels created the earth and Christ was one of those angels. In this verse "firstborn" refers to Christ's position and privilege as God's son rather than his birth order.

Answer: nailed it to the cross

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14)

Another false teaching in the church at Colosse was that Jewish law, in particular the requirement of circumcision, had to be kept by Christians to receive the benefit of their salvation. Paul refuted this teaching by stating that traditional Jewish law was canceled by Christ's death on the cross and Christ's sacrificial death was sufficient for the forgiveness of all believers' sins.

Answer: Christ was in the believers and was their hope of glory

"I [Paul] have become its [the gospel] servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:25-27)

One of the most difficult obstacles Paul encountered in proclaiming the gospel was the belief that salvation was only for Jews and those who would follow Jewish laws. Paul's teaching was that it was always God's intention that salvation would be for all mankind, Gentiles included, through faith in Christ.

Answer: darkness, kingdom

Paul seemed to use this illustration to teach the Colossians that their sins had not only been forgiven, but that they had actually been brought out of the dominion of the power that sin had over them, just as if they had been brought out of another country and its power and authority. Furthermore, they had been brought into the kingdom of God and under the dominion and authority of God's Son, Jesus Christ.

Answer: things above

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:1-2)

Paul again was correcting teachings that focused on religious ritual for holy living rather than on the holiness the people were freely receiving through their faith in Christ.

Answer: True

"Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." (Colossians 3:6-10)

Paul was giving clear instruction to his readers about what shouldn't be in their lives as Christians.

Answer: love

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:14)

In Paul's teachings, as well as in other New Testament teachings, love was to be at the heart of everything they believed and practiced.

Answer: Because it was the Lord they were serving

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism." (Colossians 3:22-25)

Slavery was a reality in Paul's time and he realized it could not yet be done away with, so he encouraged slaves to serve as if they were serving Christ. Slaves and their masters would one day have to answer to God for their conduct.

"Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven." (Colossians 4:1)

Today these scriptures provide guidance for both employees and employers.

Answer: Laodicea

"After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea." (Colossians 4:16)

Laodicea was about ten miles from Colosse. It is not known what happened to the letter from the Laodicean church. It may have been lost or it may have been one of the other known New Testament letters that had been passed on to them.