Chapter II: DOCTRINAL (i. 13-ii. 3)

The Person and Office of Christ.

(1) i. 13, 14. Through the Son we have our deliverance, our
redemption.

(2) i. 15–19. The _Preeminence_ of the Son;

(i) As the Head of the natural Creation, the Universe (i. 15–17);

(ii) As the Head of the new moral Creation, the Church (i. 18).

Thus He is first in all things; and this, because the pleroma has
its abode in Him (i. 19).

(3) i. 20-ii. 3. The _Work_ of the Son—a work of reconciliation;

(i) Described generally (i. 20).

(ii) Applied specially to the Colossians (i. 21–23).

(iii) St Paul’s own part in carrying out this work. His sufferings
and preaching. The ‘mystery’ with which he is charged (i.
24–27).

His anxiety on behalf of all (i. 28, 29): and more especially of
the Colossian and neighbouring Churches (ii. 1–3).

[This expression of anxiety leads him by a direct path to the
next division of the epistle.]