Christ is worth fighting for!

Christ is worth fighting for

8. How is it written: what genre is it, how is it organized, and what is the author’s writing style?

The letter of Colossians is written primarily to persuade its audience.

Colossians is part exposition, part exhortation, and all persuasion.

Paul uses the persuasive techniques throughout this letter…

…to convince his audience not to be drawn away from the supremacy of Christ by heresy.

How do you persuade an audience? How do you win friends and influence people?

Ethos: The ethical approach - establish credibility, connect with the audience.

Logos: The logical approach - rhetorical questions, facts and logic.

Pathos: the emotional approach - personal appeals, language that stirs emotions.

Ethos: The ethical approach - establish credibility, connect with the audience.

He begins the letter with a powerful demonstration of his authority and credibility.

COL 1:1-2

He is an apostle: he saw the resurrected and glorified Christ, who gave him his apostleship to the Gentiles.

He had a message for them that came directly from God the Father.

Next, he shows that he really understands his audience.

COL 1:3-6

Then he cites a very credible source for information in his letter: Epaphras.

COL 1:7-8
COL 4:12-13

He also devotes the biographical section to further establish his credentials and win the hearts of his audience.

COL 1:24-2:5

He completes all of this “ethos” work before he presents his argument or asks anything of his audience.