Colossians

The Epistle to the Colossians is a letter attributed to the Apostle Paul, co-authored with Timothy. It was written to the church in Colosse, a small city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Here are some key points:

Context and Authorship:

Author: Paul’s authorship is widely accepted. Some thought the heresy refuted in Colossians was second-century Gnosticism, but it likely existed in the first century.

Date and Place: Written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome (around A.D. 60), along with Ephesians and Philemon.

Colosse and the Church: Colosse was once prominent but had diminished by Paul’s time.

Epaphras carried the gospel there, establishing a young church.

Other churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis were likely founded by Paul’s converts.

The Colossian Heresy: Paul opposes a diverse false teaching without explicitly describing it.

The heresy challenged the supremacy of Christ.

Epaphras visited Paul seeking guidance.

In summary, Colossians addresses heretical teachings, emphasizing Christ’s supremacy and encouraging fervent service.

Scripture Reading