Introduction to the letter to the Colossians
The 51st book of the Bible, the 12th in the New Testament
In this letter, Paul writes to a church that was not founded by him personally, but by Epaphras, one of his disciples.
Epaphras delivered this letter, along with the letter to the Ephesians and the letter to Philemon, in the Roman province of Asia.
Paul wrote it, as well as the other two letters, during his imprisonment in Rome between the years 60 and 62 AD.
Colossae was located in the region of Phrygia in Asia Minor, near the city of Laodicea, where the Letter to the Colossians was also to be read.
The reason for the letter was reports of two dangerous heresies spreading within the church and thus also in the surrounding area.
We learn of both in the second chapter of the Letter to the Colossians; the full content of these teachings can no longer be determined today.
One of them apparently involved a mixture of pagan-philosophical and Gnostic ideas, according to which the world is governed by angels and elements, and believers were led astray into mystical beliefs.
The other heresy concerns the same teaching from Judaism regarding the observance of the law—which was supposedly necessary for salvation—the Jewish festivals, dietary laws, and the circumcision of all male members of the congregation, an issue with which many of the other young Christian congregations were also confronted.
In his letter, Paul addresses the topic in two parts. First, he makes it clear that salvation can be attained only through Jesus Christ. In the second part, he explains what the life of a Christian and the entire church should look like in practice according to God’s will.
Outline of the Epistle to the Colossians:
Chapters 1:1–14 – Paul’s concern for the church in Colossae
Chapters 1:1–29 – The nature, attributes, and deeds of the Son of God
Chapters 2:1–23 – Jesus Himself is the answer to all false teachings
Chapters 3:1–4:18 – Foundations of the Christian life, unity with Jesus, and greetings
Content of the letter to the Colossians:
Colossians chapter 1
The Sender
The Apostle’s Intercession
The incomparable majesty of the risen Christ and the redemption brought about by his death on the cross
A reference to the blessing bestowed upon the Colossians through the preaching of the gospel; an exhortation to perseverance
Colossians chapter 2
Through Christ’s merit you have obtained salvation, and in Christ (having died, been buried, and risen with him) you have been set free from the dominion of the spiritual powers
The observance of outward customs and the hypocritical nature of false teachers are worthless and of a carnal nature
Colossians chapter 3
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature Put on whatever belongs to your heavenly nature