About This Letter

Series Title

Colossians: Christ's Supremacy. From Creation, To The Cross, To Everyday Life.

Author

Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Colossae, a city he had never personally visited (Colossians 2:1).

Date

In AD 60–61, during his imprisonment in Rome, Paul penned this letter after he had received a report from Epaphras that the church was struggling with heresy.

2) Geography and Background

This letter was written to the Christians in the city of Colosse, which was part of the Lycus River Valley.

1. The Lycus valley included the cities of Colosse, Hierapolis, and Laodicea. It is part of the region called Phrygia (Acts 2:10 and Acts 16:6).
2. This region was not evangelized by Paul but by others, mainly Epaphras, a convert of Paul.
3. The city of Laodicea is mentioned, being one of the seven churches in Revelations (Revelation 3:14).

3) New Character in Our Story: Epaphras

Epaphras was a prominent Christian leader in the first century, recognized primarily for his ministry in the Lycus River Valley and his close association with the Apostle Paul.

1. He was most likely the evangelist to the Lycus Valley and is widely considered the founder of the church at Colossae.
2. Paul notes that the Colossian believers "learned" the gospel from him (Colossians 1:7) and describes him as a "faithful minister of Christ".
3. Paul mentions him in Colossians 4:12 "who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus" and that he was always praying for them.
4. Paul mentions him again in Philemon 1:23 as "my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus", possibly having been imprisoned like Paul.

4) Main Teachings in Colossians

Paul writes the letter to the Colossian church after he had received a report from Epaphras that they were struggling with a christological heresy. These were dangerous teachings the Colossians were hearing.

The Colossian Heresy

Christ's Supremacy

In Colossians 1:15-20, Paul writes the most loftiest language in all the New Testament, with a focus on Christ's preeminence and sufficiency in all things.

Christ as Creator and Center

Paul presents Jesus Christ as the center of the universe, not only as the active Creator but also as the recipient of creation—in His taking on of human flesh.

The Importance of Doctrine

Your view of Jesus Christ will impact every area of your life. Many today want only practical instruction for living, ignoring doctrine and theology because they seem to be out of touch with their day-to-day reality.

Dying and Rising with Christ

Believers have died with Christ; therefore, we need to die to our sins. We have also been raised with Christ; therefore, we must live well in Him and put on qualities that are motivated by Christian love.