Who wrote Colossians, and when?
Paul, with Timothy. About AD 60–62, from prison in Rome.
Colossians presents itself as a letter from Paul, with Timothy as co-sender, written from prison. Traditionally it belongs with Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon as one of the prison letters, written in Rome about AD 60 to 62 and delivered by Tychicus and Onesimus. The church has always accepted it as Paul's, and most scholars today agree, though a number think the style and ideas point to a close associate writing in Paul's name a little later. Colossians and Philemon share many of the same names and greetings, which suggests they were sent together. Paul closes the letter with a greeting in his own hand (see 4:18).
Who was Colossians written to?
The church in Colossae, a small town in Asia Minor, planted by Epaphras and never visited by Paul.
The readers were the Christians of Colossae, a small town in the Lycus valley in what is now western Turkey, near Laodicea and Hierapolis. Paul had never been there. The church was planted by Epaphras, a local man who had probably heard Paul in Ephesus (see 1:7 and 4:12). The believers were mostly Gentiles, new to the faith and unsure of their footing. A teaching had taken hold that mixed Jewish rules about food and festivals, the worship of angels, claims of special visions and harsh treatment of the body. It presented itself as a fuller spirituality. The Colossians were in danger of thinking that Christ was a good beginning but not enough on his own.
What was happening at the time?
A teaching had appeared in Colossae that mixed Jewish rules, angel worship, visions and ascetic practices with Christ, as though he were not enough. Paul answers with one of the highest statements about Jesus in the Bible: the image of the invisible God, creator of all, head of the church, in whom all the fullness dwells. Because believers are complete in him, they should set their minds above and live accordingly.
Why was Colossians written?
To show the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ against teaching that would add to him.
Paul wrote to show that Christ is supreme over everything and completely sufficient for everyone who belongs to him. The letter's centre is a passage describing Jesus as the image of the invisible God, the one through whom everything was made, the head of the church and the one in whom all God's fullness lives (see 1:15-20). If that is true, no rule, vision or angel can add anything to him. Believers have died and been raised with Christ, so they should set their minds on things above and then live it out in their families, work and speech. In the wider story of the Bible, Colossians ties creation and new creation together in one person and places the church at the heart of both.
How to read Colossians today
Read chapter 1:15-23 first and slowly; it is the key to everything else. Then read the whole letter, noticing how chapter 2 warns against anything that would add to Christ, and how chapter 3 describes what a life rooted in him looks like. Watch for the word fullness and for the phrase in him. Do not spend long trying to reconstruct exactly what the false teaching was; scholars disagree and Paul's answer is clear even when the problem is not. Chapter 3:18 to 4:1 on households is read in different ways by Christians today. As you read, pray for a clearer and bigger view of Jesus, and for freedom from any rule that has been quietly added to your faith.
The key verse in Colossians
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Passages worth knowing in Colossians
- Colossians 1:15-23
The supremacy of Christ
In him all things consist.
- Colossians 2:6-23
Complete in him
Beware of philosophy and empty deceit.
- Colossians 3:1-17
Set your mind on things above
Put off the old man, put on the new.
- Colossians 3:18-4:1
Households
Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord.
The main themes of Colossians
- The supremacy of Christ
- Fullness in Christ
- False teaching
- The new self
- Thankfulness
An outline of Colossians
| Section | Chapters |
|---|---|
| Christ supreme and sufficient | 1–2 |
| Life in Christ | 3–4 |