Paul’s letter to the Colossians is short—just four chapters—but it uses the word “thanksgiving” six times. That’s more than in Romans, Ephesians, or even 2 Corinthians. Only 1 Corinthians, which is more than four times longer, surpasses it. Why would Paul be so obsessed with thanksgiving in this letter? Understanding this repetition is key to unlocking the theological heart of Colossians.

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Colossians was written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome, and he hadn’t even visited the church at Colossae. The church was planted by Epaphras, who visited Paul in prison to ask for help with a heretical teaching creeping into the congregation. Paul’s response is striking: instead of offering a long list of rules or corrections, he repeatedly emphasizes gratitude.

In the video, we trace how the Colossian heresy—partly Jewish legalism, partly mystical asceticism—tried to make believers feel they were missing something. Paul’s answer? Root yourself in Christ, cling to the gospel as you first received it, and above all, give thanks. Thanksgiving isn’t just a polite letter opener; it’s the antidote to FOMO, the corrective to false teaching, and the lens through which the Colossians could understand their identity in Christ.

If you want a visual guide to help you trace these patterns in Colossians, I’ve created a chart to accompany the video. It’s designed for Bible teachers, pastors, and anyone who wants to dig deeper into Paul’s letters.