Page 78 - New Testament Survey Student Textbook

in Colossae (Col 1:4; 2:1).” 111 Apparently, Epaphras, a leader of the church, visited Paul in Rome and told
him about what was going on in the church at Colossae (1:7; 4:12). Both Colossians and Ephesians
mentions were caried by Tychicus to the respective churches. 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”). 112

Themes

Colossians teaches us that Christ is Lord over all, and nothing else is needed to supplement the salvation
found in Him. On the contrary, false teachers taught that special knowledge and particular traditions were
needed to supplement faith in Christ. Paul teaches against this philosophy (2:20–23). 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. 113
We learn in Colossians that the mark 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. 114
Occasion

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.
Purpose

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 reflects a typical Paulin Epistle in its structure. It opens with a greeting, thanksgiving, and prayer
(1:1–14), a body (1:15–4:6), and closing remarks and a benediction (4:7–18). In his greeting, Paul touches
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

111 Barry, J. D., et all
112 Ibid
113 Barry, J. D., et al.
114 Ibid

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