Colossians 1

About Colossians.

Paul’s Letter to the Colossians

Purpose

To combat false teaching at Colosse by

1. emphasizing the supremacy of Christ and

2. by insisting that true spiritual growth and ethical living come from Christ

Author

Paul

Date

Traditionally, AD 60–62, but possibly earlier, around AD 53–56

Setting

Written while Paul was in prison, after he had heard (presumably from Epaphras) about the false teaching that had arisen in the church at Colosse

The letter to the Colossians combines profound teaching about Christ with practical guidance for daily life. More than almost any other New Testament book, Colossians reminds believers that Christ must have first place in their love, devotion, and worship.

Setting

The city of Colossae was about 193 kilometers (120 miles) east of Ephesus, in the province of Asia (in modern-day Turkey).

The apostle Paul mentions Epaphras as the person who first brought the good news about Jesus to the Colossians (1:7). Epaphras probably became a Christian during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus. Ephesus was the main commercial area and center of government for the entire province, which included Colossae.

Luke tells us that during Paul’s time in Ephesus, “everyone who lived in the province of Asia … heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19:10). Although Paul had not visited Colossae, he was the spiritual “father” of Epaphras and thus the spiritual “grandfather” of their church (Colossians 2:1). So he wrote with both the authority of an apostle (a messenger chosen by Jesus) and with personal caring.

When Colossians was written, Epaphras was visiting Paul in prison (4:12). He had told Paul about some of the difficulties the new church was going through. He was especially concerned about some false teachers in Colosse who were emphasizing the importance of “the powers and authorities” and “spiritual forces of the world” (2:15; 2:8,20). These teachings were taking away from Christ's highest place and authority. Paul wrote to address these issues.

Summary

Colossians divides into two parts. Chapters 1–2 focus on theology (teaching about God and his work), while chapters 3–4 address practical matters.

Paul begins with greetings and a thanksgiving section (1:1–2; 1:3–14). This was a common way to begin New Testament letters. Then, to make this point clear, Paul quotes and adapts a hymn about Christ's supreme authority (1:15–20). He then makes a practical application (1:21–23).

He next discusses his role as an apostle to the Gentiles (1:24–2:5). Paul urges the Colossians to remain faithful to Christ Jesus, the one who provides for their spiritual life (2:6–15). The theological section of the letter ends with a warning not to focus too much on rules as a way to achieve spiritual maturity (2:16–23).

The more practical part of the letter (chapters 3–4) begins with a call to turn away from a lifestyle of sin and embrace a new life in Christ (3:1–11). Paul then gives instructions for the Christian community and family life (3:12–17; 3:18–4:1). The letter ends with encouragement to pray (4:2–6) and comments about Paul's fellow workers and other Christians (4:7–18).

Date and Purpose of Writing

Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, and Philippians are called the Prison Letters. Paul wrote them while in jail for preaching about Jesus Christ (see Colossians 4:18). Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon are closely related. Paul probably wrote them from the same place at about the same time (either Rome or Ephesus; see Ephesians Book Introduction, “Date and Place of Writing”).

These three letters share similar themes and vocabulary. They were also written to people in the same region. Colossae was about 190 kilometers (120 miles) east of Ephesus in the Roman province of Asia. Philemon lived in Colossae.

Paul mentioned some of the same fellow workers in each of the Prison Letters. In his letter to Philemon, he explained why he was sending back Onesimus, Philemon’s slave who had run away. Onesimus also traveled with the letter to the Colossians (4:9).

In both Colossians and Ephesians, Paul said that Tychicus would give the churches more details about Paul’s situation (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21). Tychicus was probably the messenger who carried these three letters to their destinations in Asia Minor.

The False Teaching

Paul wrote to the Colossians because false teachers were troubling the church. Colossae was an important trading center on one of the main Roman roads in the region. As a result, people there were exposed to ideas from many religions and philosophies.

Like many false teachings, the "Colossian heresy" was probably a mixture of ideas and practices that were common at the time. We do not know who these teachers were or exactly what they taught. However, we can identify some features of their teaching:

• They seem to have insisted that Christians observe Sabbath and new moon festivals (Colossians 2:16). This suggests some Jewish influence.

• They focused heavily on following rules, especially rules about the body and self-denial (asceticism).

• They placed great importance on spiritual beings, a common feature of many religious movements in that period.

The central problem was clear: their teaching did not present Christ as the source and center of true spiritual life. Any teaching or philosophy that fails to do this is not the good news.

Meaning and Message

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul calls a young Christian church back to the apostles' message of the good news about Christ. To counter false teaching, Paul stresses that Christ is supreme over all creation, both spiritual and physical. Jesus is the one in whom the fullness of God lives. He is also the only true source of spiritual growth. All genuine spiritual life comes from him (Colossians 2:19).

The false teachers based their emphasis on rules on something other than Christ. As a result, those rules could not produce true spiritual growth (Colossians 2:23). Paul argues that adding anything to Christ actually takes away the power he alone provides for living a Christian life.

Christ has reconciled us to the God in whom we now live, so all of our spiritual needs are fulfilled by Christ. We need no one and nothing else for true spiritual fulfillment.

Paul urged the Colossians to avoid focusing too much on ritual practices (Colossians 2:16–23). Instead, all Christians should identify with Christ in his death and resurrection (2:11, 19–20; 3:1–4). They must let the good news about Jesus, as preached by the apostles, shape their thoughts and actions.

Colossians reminds us to keep Christ at the center of our lives and of the church. When we add other things to Christ as the basis of our faith, we distort the true Christian message.

Colossians 1:1

Timothy was one of the closest co-workers of Paul. Their relationship was very strong. The work of Timothy was so important that Paul included him as a sender of this letter. He also included him in 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon.

Colossians 1:2

• Colossae was in the Lycus River valley in western Asia Minor. It was about 193 kilometers (120 miles) east of Ephesus and 16 kilometers (10 miles) southeast of Laodicea. Its place on an important Roman road exposed it to the social and religious trends of the time.

• brothers: Greek adelphoi, a term used for family members, both male and female.

Colossians 1:3-14

This section starts with a thanksgiving, common in New Testament letters. Paul thanks God for the growth of the faith of the Colossians. He prays they will understand it even more. Through this prayer, Paul shows his concern about the influence of false teachers.

Colossians 1:4

All the saints (meaning holy ones): The New Testament calls all Christians saints. They are set apart by God as his holy people (3:12).

Colossians 1:5

• The confident hope of the Colossian Christians provides a strong base for their faith and love (1:4).

• What God has reserved for believers has not yet been fully revealed, but it already exists in heaven.

Colossians 1:6

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing: The good news about Jesus is effective in changing lives and producing spiritual growth (compare 1:10).

Colossians 1:7

Epaphras probably became a Christian when Paul preached in Ephesus (see Acts 19:10; see also Colossians 4:12–13; Philemon 1:23). He then went back to Colossae to share the good news about Jesus with his own town.

Colossians 1:9-10

Paul prays that God would help his readers understand the the good news about Jesus better and its full expression in their lives. Spiritual growth leads to a clearer understanding of Christian truth and actions that please the Lord. This understanding gives believers the strength and patience to resist evil (1:11).

Colossians 1:12-13

• giving thanks to the Father: having humble gratitude to God for salvation gives powerful help to resist false teachings (see also 2:7; 3:17; 4:2).

• The inheritance is what God has promised his people (for example, see Deuteronomy 3:28; Psalm 33:12; Ezekiel 44:28). In the New Testament, the inheritance includes salvation and final rescue (see also Ephesians 1:11; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 9:15).

Colossians 1:15-20

Paul describes Jesus as the ultimate creator and redeemer (1:15–17; 1:18–20). Three main things suggest these verses quote an early Christian hymn about Jesus:

1. These verses are brief statements.

2. These verses have contain high praise and special honor for Christ (he is exalted).

3. These verses use similar language and ideas.

Paul applied this hymn to the situation of the church in Colossae.

Colossians 1:15

• the image: In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, eikōn means "image" or "representation." It describes humans as made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27). It also refers to the wisdom figure in Jewish writings (see Wisdom of Solomon 7:25–26). New Testament writers describe Christ as "the wisdom of God" to explain his importance (compare 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30).

• the firstborn over all creation: This phrase was important in early Christian debates about Christ's nature. Firstborn does not mean God created him. It is a title from the Old Testament, showing supremacy in rank and priority in time (see, for example, Psalm 89:27).

Colossians 1:16

• Thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities in the unseen world refer to different spiritual powers. This line emphasizes Christ's supremacy over these beings, who were getting a lot of attention from false teachers (see 2:18).

• All things were created through Him and for Him: Christ is both the creator of all things and the purpose of all creation.

Colossians 1:18

• Head of the body, the church: The Greek word kephalē (meaning “head”) often has the sense of authority over or chief when Paul uses it as a metaphor (see also 2:10, 19; 1 Corinthians 11:3–10; Ephesians 4:15; 5:23).

• of the body: The metaphor of the church as Christ’s body shows the essential unity of Christ and the church (see also Colossians 1:24; 2:19; 3:15; Ephesians 1:23; 2:16; 4:4, 12; 5:23, 30).

• firstborn from among the dead: See study note on Colossians 1:15.

Colossians 1:19

God, in all his fullness, shows that he has chosen to give a complete revelation of himself in Jesus Christ. By seeing and understanding Jesus, we also see and understand God (see John 14:6–11). Some false teachers claimed that Christians needed to seek other spiritual beings to learn more about God (see Colossians 1:16, 20). Yet, Christ alone is enough for all our knowledge of God (compare Colossians 2:8–9).

Colossians 1:20

Through Jesus Christ, God has made peace with everything. He has restored his control over all creation, in the spiritual places and on earth.

Colossians 1:21-23

Paul shares the message of 1:15–20 with the Christians in Colossae. Since God has reconciled them, they now have a new spiritual status. They need to stay strong in the truth they have learned.

Colossians 1:21

The phrase alienated from God probably refers to their former status as Gentiles, who were not part of God's covenant people (see Ephesians 2:12).

Colossians 1:22

The Colossians, like all believers, were considered holy and blameless by God. This was not due to their own perfection but because Christ's death reconciled them with God.

Colossians 1:23

proclaimed to every creature under heaven: Paul used hyperbole (exaggeration for emphasis) when he said the gospel has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. He meant that key cities in the Roman world had established centers for spreading the good news about Jesus (see also 1:6).

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Paul considers his own role in the widespread preaching of the good news about Jesus (1:23).

Colossians 1:24

I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions: Christ's suffering for redemption is unique and fully accomplished. Yet, he continues to suffer through his followers in a world opposed to the message of redemption. Christ and his church will keep suffering until God completes his purposes for this world (see also Mark 13:19–23; Romans 8:17–18; 1 Thessalonians 3:3).

Colossians 1:26

The idea of a hidden mystery… now revealed comes from Jewish apocalyptic beliefs. Jewish thinkers believed God's entire plan already existed in heaven. It remained hidden until God chose to reveal it. The good news, especially for non-Jews, remained secret until Christ revealed it.

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