Intro: The Epistle to The Colossians

Background,Authorship,Recipients, Issues addressed

Background: The City of Colossae

Colossae was located in the territory of Phrygia in the Roman province of Asia Minor about 120 miles E of Ephesus.Today this is part of southwestern Turkey.

Map of the Churches in Asia Minor

The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Biblical Relevance)

Colossae was a small town overshadowed by two nearby cities, Laodicea and Hierapolis. Paul mentions Laodicea and Hierapolis at the end of his letter to the Colossians (Col 4:13), which suggests a connection between the Christian communities in these cities. Colossae was located 11 miles southeast from Laodicea, which explains why Paul could end his letter to the Colossians by asking them to greet brothers and sisters from Laodicea (Col 4:15). Paul also asks them to exchange the letter he had written to them for the letter he wrote to the Laodiceans (Col 4:16).

Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians has several unique and compelling characteristics. It is regarded as including the most elevated view of Christ to be found in the Bible, and it also focuses on the most relevant insights and counsel for Believers in our present day

Dictionary of New Testament Background (Section 1: History > Colossae)

In the first century B.C. The City had declined considerably in size and importance and was overshadowed by its closest neighbor, Laodicea. Numerous coins have been found in the area that point to the worship of the Ephesian Artemis, the Laodicean Zeus, Men, Selene, Demeter, Hygieia, Helios, Athena, Tyche, Boule and the Egyptian deities Isis and Serapis

Dictionary of New Testament Background (Section 3: The Ministry of Paul and His Companions)

Ephesus which was the center for Christian missionary activity in Asia led to the founding of the churches at Laodicea, Colossae, Hierapolis and elsewhere (Col 4:13) and perhaps also at Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Philadelphia, Sardis and elsewhere (Rev 2–3). In most of these cities there were significant numbers of Jews and synagogues where, according to Paul’s practice (Rom 1:16–17; Acts 13:5, 14–16; 14:1; 16:13; 17:1–2, 10–11; 18:4–7, 19–21; 19:8), he frequently launched his ministry.

Authorship : Who wrote The Letter?

Galatians, Philippians, Colossians: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition (Authorship)

Apparently the apostle Paul never visited the city of Colosse personally (2:1), although Epaphras, likely a convert during Paul’s Ephesian ministry, is probably the one who established the Christian congregation there during the course of Paul’s extended teaching ministry in Ephesus (Col. 1:7–8; 4:12–13; Acts 19:10). The Colossian congregation was founded between A.D. 52 and 55.

Surveying the Pauline Epistles (Author)

The author claims to be the Apostle Paul (1:1, 23; 4:18). The book of Philemon, which is indisputably from the pen of Paul, mentions the same companions as this epistle (Timothy, Onesimus, Archippus, Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke). Both include Timothy’s name in the greeting (Col. 1:1; Phile. 1), both books were sent to the same destination city, and both reference the runaway slave, Onesimus (Col. 4:9; Phile. 10). The language and style used in the epistle to the Colossians is plainly similar to that of other Pauline literature.(Especially Ephesians) The internal evidence points to Pauline authorship.

Paul wrote this letter(Epistle) while being imprisoned in Rome. This letter and the letters to Ephesus, Philemon, & Philippians are what we call the prison epistles

Recipients : Who received The Letter?

The letter to the Colossians was primarily addressed to the church in Colossae, which consisted of both Gentile and Jewish believers

Paul, claims authorship of the letter, he learned about this church through Epaphras. While the letter is directed to the Colossian church as a whole, it also mentions specific individuals in its opening & closing address. These include Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus, along with "the church that meets in your home"

Colossians 4:12–15 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.”

Colossians 4:16–18 “Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.”

Paul wrote this letter likely during his imprisonment, with Rome being a probable location, dating it between A.D. 61 and 63

Surveying the Pauline Epistles (Recipients)

This epistle was written to Philemon, a “beloved fellow-worker” of Paul’s (1:1). The person for whom it is named, lived in Colossae, and it was in his home that the church of Colossae met (1:2). He apparently came to believe as the result of the ministry of Paul (1:19). He was a slave-owner (1:15). Onesimus was his runaway slave, who presumably also stole from him (1:18).

Who is Epaphras: Founder of the Colossian Church

A Christian from Colossae (Col 4:12), referred to by Paul as a “fellow slave” (Col 1:7) and “fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus” (Phlm 23). Epaphras is also mentioned as having sent greetings to Philemon (Phlm 23) and to the Colossians (Col 4:12), both of whom were undoubtedly well known to him.

According to Paul, Epaphras is the one who taught the Colossians “the grace of God in truth” (Col 1:6). Paul also testified that Epaphras worked hard for them “and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis” (4:13). From this it can be inferred that Epaphras was the founder of the Colossian church

During one of Paul’s imprisonments Epaphras brought him news of the Colossians’ faith in Christ Jesus and their love for all the saints (Col 1:4). Epaphras also conveyed to Paul their love in the Spirit (1:8). Furthermore, it was probably Epaphras who had informed Paul about false teachers in the Colossian community (2:4, 8). That very situation may have inspired Epaphras to visit Paul in prison in order to consult with him.

Issues Addressed: Why The Letter was written

Paul's primary motivation for writing the letter was to address concerning reports from Epaphras about the Colossian church. While some scholars have debated the exact nature of the "Colossian heresy," the letter appears to be a response to potentially harmful teachings that threatened the young Christians' faith. Paul aimed to remind the Colossians of the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ.

The letter emphasizes the centrality of Christ's lordship and warns against being captivated by alternative philosophies or traditions that deviate from Christ. Overall, the letter serves to reinforce the all-sufficient nature of Christ in the face of attractive but misleading religious alternatives such as Jewish mysticism, mixed with pagan practices found within the city