INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

1) INTRODUCTION

Colosse was a celebrated city of Phrygia

The Gospel was first preached in Phrygia by Paul, Silas, and Timothy

Acts 15:40–16:6 KJV 1900

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Acts 15:40–41 KJV 1900

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

A) Why did Paul write this Epistle

Acts 16:1–6 KJV 1900

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Acts 15:40-16

The letter strongly resembles the letter to the church at Ephesus

The group of churches in the area:

Ephesus - There were those who say they were apostles and are not

Laodicea - Neither hot nor cold

Pergamos - Those who held the doctrine of Nicolaitanes and held the doctrine of Balaam

Thyatira - That woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess was allowed to teach

Smyrna - Those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan

Colosse

When Paul left Ephesus he warned them of dangerous group of teachers who would come into the area

Acts 20:29–30 KJV 1900

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Probably referred to the practice of mixing grace with law.

In that part of the area there was a large segment of John the Baptist’s disciples.

Many retained the prejudices of the Jews and observances of the Mosaic Law.

Acts 19:3 KJV 1900

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

Acts 18:24–25 KJV 1900

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

This is consistent with Colossians

Colossians 2:4–8 KJV 1900

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Colossians 2:16 KJV 1900

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

The Philosophy of Gnosticism - The human nature of the Son of God was not in reality, but appearance only. They taught that he did not die in reality, but appearance only

Colossians 2:18 KJV 1900

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

He did not rebuke the church for morals or behaviour as he did with the church at Corinth but they were exposed to gross of the heathen

Colossians 3:5–9 KJV 1900

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

The paramount reason for the epistle to the Colossians was to guard them against the sins they were exposed to.

Fasle Philosophy

The influence of false teachers in religion

Those who asserted their superiority on religion

Those who taught Jewish customs of holy days, holidays and feast days as practiced by Judaizers