colossians Summary and Overview

EPIS'TLE TO THE COLOSSIANS was written by Paul while he was a prisoner at Rome, a.d. 62. It is probable that Epaphras, who is spoken of as the minister of Christ in that place. Col 1:7, came to Rome to consult Paul respecting the semi-Judaistic and semi-Oriental opinions that had been preached among the Colossians by Jews who had been tainted by Essenic Gnosticism. See Essenes. These notions would tend not only to mar the simplicity of their belief, but to obscure the glory of Christ. Col 2:8-23. To these damaging errors Paul writes a refutation. "The occasion, then, of the Epistle being the existence and influence of false teachers in the Colossian church, the object of the apostle was to set before them their real standing in Christ, the majesty of his person, and the completeness of his redemption, and to exhort them to conformity with their risen Lord, following this out into all subordinate duties and occasions of common life." The Epistle to the Ephesians, written at a little later date, is very similar to it, but more full on the doctrine of the church. Both were sent from Rome by the same bearers, Tychicus and Onesimus.