STUDY GUIDE FOR ADDITIONAL READING ASSIGNMENT 1

COLOSSIANS AND CALVIN'S COMMENTARY ON COLOSSIANS

Review Questions:

1. According to Calvin, what happened to the cities of Colosse, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, shortly after Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians?

2. How does Calvin describe the false teaching that began to distract the Colossians from the true Gospel?

3. Calvin says, "Let us, however, bear in mind, that the wisdom which is alone commended by Paul is comprehended in the ________."

4.  According to Calvin, what is the meaning of the phrase in Colossians 1:15, "who is the image of the invisible God"?

5. According to Calvin, what does the phrase "first-born of every creature" mean in Colossians 1:15?

6. In his comments on Colossians 1:20, where it says that in Christ, God reconciled all things to Himself, "whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven," what does he say about angels?

7. How does Calvin interpret the phrase "enemies in your mind," found in Colossians 1:21?

8. Calvin asserts that  "the entire blessing of redemption consists mainly in these two things, remission of sins, and ________."

9. Does Calvin say that the phrase in Colossians 1:23. "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled,..." indicates that a true Christian may lose his faith and lose his salvation?

10. How does Calvin interpret the phrase in Colossians 1:24, where Paul says that his suffering "fills up what is wanting" in the afflictions of Christ?

11. In Colossians 2, Paul mentions two things, in which the perfection of the Church consists — ______among themselves, and faith in Christ.

12. In Colossians 2:6, Paul exhorts the believers to "_____ in Christ as they received Him."

13. According to Calvin, what does Paul mean by "philosophy" in Colossians 2:8?

14. According to Calvin, what does Paul mean by the "elements (or rudiments) of the world" in Colossians 2:8?

15. In what sense had the Colossians been "circumcised"?

16. What New Testament ceremony represents being "circumcised" in Christ and being "buried with Christ"?

17. What phrase does Paul use to describe the Colossians' sinful state before believing in Christ?

18. According to Calvin, what does Paul mean in Colossians 2:14, when he says the "hand-writing" was "nailed to the cross"?

19. Does Calvin believe that Colossians 2:16 means that it is no longer necessary to celebrate any days or holidays as sacred?

20. What does it mean that we are "dead to the rudiments of the world," (Colossians 2:20), according to Calvin?

21. How does Calvin interpret Paul's use of the terms "old man" and "new man"?

22. In Colossians 3, Paul tells us to put on _____ above all, which is the bond of perfectness.

23. Does Calvin believe that children should obey their parents, even if they ask them to do something against God's law?

24. Does Calvin believe that "Luke the physician," mentioned by Paul in Colossians 4:14, is the same Luke who wrote the Gospel?

25. Calvin says that all households should be "____________."