Colossians Explained: Why It Matters Who Christ Is | Paul Foster

Exploring the Language of Scripture

In this episode of Exploring the Language of Scripture on Colossians, Daniel Mikkelsen is joined by Professor Paul Foster—New Testament scholar and Daniel’s PhD supervisor—for an in-depth conversation on the theology and message of Colossians, and why it matters who Christ is.

From the Christological poem in chapter 1 to warnings against false teachings, angel worship, and spiritual powers, Colossians insists on the supremacy of Christ in every area of life. Paul Foster shares insights from his own commentary, explores the historical and cultural background of the Colossian church, and reflects on the letter’s central themes of reconciliation, wisdom, and transformation.

Whether you’re curious about why Christology is the heartbeat of Colossians, what “stoicheia tou kosmou” means, or how early Christian exclusivity stood out in a world of mixed religions, this episode offers a rich and thoughtful guide to one of the New Testament’s most theologically dense letters.

Don’t Miss the Next Episode:

This episode features a conversation with Ian Paul on the imagery and theology of Revelation 12.

Chapters:
00:00 – Why This Conversation on Colossians Matters
01:39 – Meet Paul Foster: Scholar, Teacher, Supervisor
03:37 – From Maths to Greek: An Unlikely Journey into Biblical Languages
06:06 – The Secret to Keeping Greek Alive
08:49 – What You Miss If You Only Read in Translation
10:35 – Colossians in Greek: Surprising Details
15:17 – Why Context is King for Interpretation
19:06 – The Story Behind Writing a Colossians Commentary
23:06 – How Teaching Shapes Research (and Vice Versa)
25:07 – What We Know About the Colossian Church
30:44 – Big Themes: Christology, Reconciliation, and the Church
36:06 – False Teachings and the Supremacy of Christ
38:08 – Where Does “With Joy” Belong? (Col 1.11–12)
42:31 – Angels, Powers, and Spiritual Beings in Colossians
46:10 – What Paul Meant by “Bearing Fruit”
49:15 – Why True Wisdom Is Only Found in Christ
53:25 – What Are the στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου (Col 2.8)?
58:46 – Did Colossians Warn Against Angel Worship?
01:06:15 – Why Early Christians Refused to Join Other Religions
01:10:02 – How the Second Half of Colossians Builds on the First
01:14:13 – Colossians for Today: Living Out Its Message

Music Credits:

Music from #Uppbeat

🔗 https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire

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Podcast Keywords:
biblical languages, New Testament, Old Testament, Christ, bible study, Relationship with God, learn biblical languages, Biblical Theology, Christianity, Covenants, New covenant, old covenant, language acquisition, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew.

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1. Why This Conversation on Colossians Matters (00:00:00)

2. Meet Paul Foster: Scholar, Teacher, Supervisor (00:01:39)

3. From Maths to Greek: An Unlikely Journey into Biblical Languages (00:03:37)

4. The Secret to Keeping Greek Alive (00:06:06)

5. What You Miss If You Only Read in Translation (00:08:49)

6. Colossians in Greek: Surprising Details (00:10:35)

7. Why Context is King for Interpretation (00:15:17)

8. The Story Behind Writing a Colossians Commentary (00:19:06)

9. How Teaching Shapes Research (and Vice Versa) (00:23:06)

10. What We Know About the Colossian Church (00:25:07)

11. Big Themes: Christology, Reconciliation, and the Church (00:30:44)

12. False Teachings and the Supremacy of Christ (00:36:06)

13. Where Does “With Joy” Belong? (Col 1.11–12) (00:38:08)

14. Angels, Powers, and Spiritual Beings in Colossians (00:42:31)

15. What Paul Meant by “Bearing Fruit” (00:46:10)

16. Why True Wisdom Is Only Found in Christ (00:49:15)

17. What Are the στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου (Col 2.8)? (00:53:25)

18. Did Colossians Warn Against Angel Worship? (00:58:46)

19. Why Early Christians Refused to Join Other Religions (01:06:15)

20. How the Second Half of Colossians Builds on the First (01:10:02)

21. Colossians for Today: Living Out Its Message (01:14:13)