Colossians: Introduction

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in the church in the city of Colossae around 60 A.D. This city was located in the southwest corner of Asia Minor in what was then the Roman province of Asia. The city was situated in the Lycus River Valley on the Lycus River. The city was about 12 miles south of the city of Laodicea and east of the city of Ephesus. It was located on the great road from Ephesus to the Euphrates and at one time was important because of the mercantile trade passing through the city. It was a prominent city during the Greek period but by Paul’s time it had lost much of its importance, perhaps because of the growth of the neighboring cities. Extremely detrimental to all the cities in the Lycus River Valley were the earthquakes that occasionally did severe damage. Shortly after Paul wrote this letter the entire Lycus Valley was devastated by an earthquake (about A.D. 61) and seems to have ended the occupation of this city.

It does not appear that Paul ever visited this city (Col.2:1). However, during Paul’s extended stay in Ephesus during his third preaching journey (54-58A.D.), it is likely that those who were the traveling companions of Paul took the gospel to that city as Paul said “...all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19:10). Paul and his companions worked throughout Asia, using Ephesus as a home base for a period of two years. Colossians 1:7 & 4:12 seen to indicate that it was Epaphras who took the Gospel to Colossae even though he was not listed among Paul’s traveling companion on the third preaching journey. Some suggest that he heard the Gospel from Paul, perhaps in Ephesus, and  returned to Colossae, his home to teach the good news of Jesus. Since Paul’s third preaching journey took place between 54 and 58 A.D., and the date of this writing in around 60 A.D., this church would have been very young in the faith, only a couple of years in existence at the time of this writing. Colossae, or the church in Colossae is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament except in the beginning of this letter to the church (Col. 1:2) which seems to support the belief that when the city was devastated by an earthquake about 61 A.D. the church no longer existed.

In this writing Paul calls Epaphras “our beloved fellow servant” (Col.1:7) and “one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus” (Col. 4:12). In Paul’s letter to Philemon he calls Epaphras “my fellow prisoner in Christ” (Philemon 1:23). This suggests that not only was Epaphras one of Paul’s co-workers and a faithful servant of the Lord, but was with Paul in prison when he wrote this letter. Some think he brought Paul information from the church and remained in Rome to serve Paul in prison.

This writing seems to paint a vivid picture of the struggle of new, baby Christians. First, they are new to the faith, therefore their knowledge of the faith is lacking so Paul says he is praying that they may “...be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord...(1:9-10). How to live this new life is a struggle for new Christians, especially when they do not yet have a full understand of all that God through Christ provides. Paul is concerned that they may be influenced, even taken captive by false teachers and attempt to strengthen their walk in Christ by trying to control the indulgences of the flesh by religious rituals and regulations (2:16-23). Paul informs these new Christians that these methods won’t work and it is only Christ who can strengthen them and give them a victorious Christian life (3:1-17). Paul tells them that love, the love of Christ, is the glue that brings and holds everything together in their new life in Christ. He counsels them about relationships, reminding them how to live in their earthly relationships, family, slave-master and the family of God, reminding them that Christ in their hearts is the secret to proper living in these relationships (3:15). He tells them that he has sent them someone to help them in their struggles, Tychicus and Onesimus (4: 7 & 9), and says he has given them instructions about receiving Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, if he comes their way (4:10). He counsels them to seek further instruction by reading the letter he sent to the church in Laodicea and asks them to let the church in Laodicea read his letter to them.

Christ is all sufficient. You don’t need anything else to live a life to the glory of God is the main point of this letter.