Introduction to Colossians

The letter to the Colossians proclaims the supreme power, authority, and sufficiency of Christ. While Paul was in prison, he heard a report about false teaching in the city of Colossae. People apparently were saying that Jesus was a good start, but that other beliefs and practices had to be added. Paul responds by affirming that nothing needs to be added to the work of Christ. As Lord of all creation, He is more than enough for every believer.

Background

The letter names Paul and Timothy as the authors (Col 1:1). While the differences in style between this letter and Paul’s other letters have led to some modern debate about its authorship—including the suggestion that it was written by someone else—the differences can be accounted for by noting that here Paul is addressing a different set of issues. In addition, Colossians was unanimously accepted by the early church fathers as by Paul.

Paul wrote Colossians from prison (4:3, 10, 18), probably in Rome (early 60s ad; Acts 28:30). It is also possible that he wrote it during his imprisonment in Caesarea (circa ad 58–59; Acts 23:23–26:32) or during an otherwise unrecorded imprisonment in Ephesus (circa ad 54–57; Acts 19).

The recipients of the letter were part of a church in Colossae, a town in southwest Asia Minor. It seems that Paul did not plant this church and did not know (at least) some of the believers in Colossae (Col 1:4; 2:1). Epaphras, a leader of the church, likely visited Paul in Rome and told him about what was going on in the church (1:7; 4:12). Both Colossians and Ephesians mentions Tychicus as the carrier of the letters; this and parallels in the language between the two letters suggest they were written around the same time (see the “Introduction to Ephesians”; Col 4:7; Eph 6:21). There is also a connection between Colossians and Paul’s Letter to Philemon (see the “Introduction to Philemon”).

The issue in the Colossian church was that some false teachers had begun emphasizing what they claimed was superior wisdom and its accompanying regulations (Col 2:6–23). This heresy seems to have involved asceticism (2:23), an emphasis on special knowledge (2:4), and some Jewish elements: Circumcision, dietary laws, and festival observances are mentioned (2:11, 16; compare 3:11). Paul responds that the real wisdom of God has been revealed in Christ, and people don’t need to follow special rules or have secret knowledge to have access to Him (2:2–4). Paul also suggests that the letter to the Colossians be read in the church at Laodicea, indicating that he intended its message for more than just the Colossians (4:16).

Structure

Colossians is structured similarly to Paul’s other letters, with an opening that consists of a greeting, thanksgiving, and prayer (1:1–14), a body (1:15–4:6), and closing remarks and a benediction (4:7–18). In Paul’s greeting, he picks up on the faith and love of the Colossians (1:4). The body begins with a hymn to Christ, emphasizing that Jesus is the full expression of the image of God (1:15–23). Paul then speaks about his own sufferings (1:24–2:5) and presents an argument against the false teachers (2:6–23). Nothing else is needed but Christ, who reorganizes the way people live life (3:1–17). He then details how the people in a typical Graeco-Roman household should treat one another (3:18–4:1). He ends the body of the letter with final advice on prayer and wise living (4:2–6).

Outline

• Salutation and prayer (1:1–14)

• The Christ hymn and reconciliation (1:15–23)

• Paul, the Colossians, and empty philosophy (1:24–2:23)

• Living according to the cross (3:1–4:6)

• Final exhortations and greetings (4:7–18)

Themes

The main theme of Colossians is that Christ is Lord over all, and nothing else is needed to supplement the salvation found in Him. False teachers suggested that more than Christ was needed—special knowledge and particular practices. Paul teaches against this philosophy because it promises much but ultimately does not deliver (2:20–23). In the end, only Christ delivers, and He should be the focus (3:1–4). Christians have been made alive with Christ (2:13), and their lives are already hidden with Christ in God (3:3). Nothing needs to be added to that.

The marker of true Christian spirituality is love (3:14). Believers are empowered by Christ to walk away from evil and embrace the ways of God (3:5–17). We are to wisely use our time, declaring—as Paul did while imprisoned—the wonderful mystery of Christ, each time a door is opened for us to do so.

Further Reading

Paul the Apostle CLBD

Colossae CLBD