Colossians - Introduction

Colossians is a fantastic letter. The Pauline authorship was not doubted until the 19th Century when some started to argue that the Gnosticism that Paul counters in chapter 2 was second-century Gnosticism. However, later work has shown that the Gnosticism in chapter 2 is less developed than 2nd century Gnosticism and basically the argument is a load of nonsense.

Colossians was probably written during Paul's imprisonment in Rome about AD60, along with the other prison letters (Philippians, Ephesians and Philemon).

Colossae had been a major city in Asia Minor, but by the time of the first century was now a second-rate city. Epaphras (Acts 19:10) had been converted by Paul and had taken the gospel to Colossae. Later heretical teachings had developed, and Epaphras had gone to Rome to seek help from Paul.

The heresies that arose in Colossae had the following elements (NIV Study Bible):

• Ceremonialism - adherence to strict rules on eating, drinking and festivals.
• Asceticism - "do not handle, do not touch", essentially being miserable!
• Angel worship
• Diminishing the role and person of Christ
• Secret knowledge
• Reliance on human wisdom and tradition

Paul refutes these, and his primary line of attack is the supremacy of Christ.

Some of these strands are still relevant today. Human wisdom and tradition dominates parts of the church. In others unhealthy obsession with angels can be a problem.