Epistle to the Colossians

Portrait of Saint Paul by Rembrandt

The Epistle to the Colossians is a book of the Bible New Testament. Although its authorship is disputed, the book is traditionally believed to be written from Paul to the church in Colossae. It is particularly concerned with combating a false teaching which has affected the Colossian church, apparently an early form of ascetic Gnosticism, possibly Jewish in character, which emphasized spiritual speculation about the higher powers, angels, and "wisdom." The writer urged the Colossians to remain focus on Christ, whom he characterized as "before all things."

Colossians represents an example of "high Christology," in which Jesus is presented not only as the risen savior, but also as the complete Incarnation of God and primary agent of creation. The letter was also significant for its rejection of asceticism and its setting forth a list of angelic orders—thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers—each of which became a subject of much speculation.

Purpose and authoriship

Medieval map of Asian Minor shows Phrygia to the west of Galatia (click to enlarge).

The author has apparently received disturbing information about a false teaching which has affected the church at Collosae, which was a city of the province of Phrygia, on the ancient Lycus River, a tributary of the Maeander River. It was situated about 12 miles above Laodicea, and near the great road from Ephesus to the Euphrates. The site, located in what is now Anatolia in Turkey, has never been excavated. The gospel was taught to the Colassians by Epaphras (1:4-8), about whom little is known other than that Paul describes him as a "fellow prisoner" in the Epistle to Philemon. A large part of the letter directed against teachers who attempted to combine mysticism doctrines, asceticism, and Jewish practices with Christianity, thereby promising believers enjoyment of a higher spiritual life and a deeper insight into the world of spiritual beings.

While traditionally attributed to Paul, disagreements exist over such things as language, style, and the presence or absence of characteristic Pauline concepts. A substantial number of critical scholars, as well as the vast majority of traditionalists, do ascribe it to Paul, however. Paul's authorship is also confirmed by many of the church's early key figures such as Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, and Eusebius of Caesaria. As with many of Paul's letters, it is claims to have been written not only by Paul, but also by Timothy, his aide, who may have acted as scribe. Some believe this letter may have been written primarily by Timothy, with Paul working only the the final verses.

Arguing against Pauline authorship is a "high" Chirstology in which the doctrine of the Inacarnation is more clearly developed than in the undisputed Pauline letters and Christ, rather than his Heavenly Father, is the supreme agent of creation. Many see a close connection between Colossians and Ephesians, which seems to borrow various phrases and concepts from it. Scholarly opinion regarding the authorship of the two epistles generally falls into one of three categories:

• Both Colossians and Ephesians are genuine letters of Paul
• Colossians in from Paul and/or Timothy, but Ephesians is not
• Neither of the letters is from Paul.

In terms of date, if the letter is genuine, then its date is estimated to be either around 54-56 C.E., written from Ephesus; or around 59-62 from Rome. If it is not from Paul, then its date depends on when the false teaching against which the author writes became a problem. Since the heresy appears to be an early form of Gnosticism, the date is usually estimate at sometime after Paul's death and the close of the first century.

Content

The letters is addressed from Paul and Timothy to the "brothers in Christ at Colossae." The writer, presumably Paul, expresses pleasure at the faith of the Colossian church, about which he has heard from Epaphras. Paul prays for the Colossians to receive "spiritual wisdom" so that they might "share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." Christian must remain focused on Christ, for "by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." The writer emphasizes the absolute supremacy of Christ over all other powers, since "he is before all things," and "God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him." (Chapter 1)

Fifteenth century vision of "The Assumption of the Virgin" by Francesco Botticini, portrays of host of angelic beings.

Paul is concerned that "no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments" or "takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy." He emphasizes that "in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." Christ also provides spiritual circumcision to believers, who were "buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God." Therefore, believers should not allow themselves to be judge by anyone on the basis of such things as proper celebration of various feasts and sabbath days. Nor should Christians be tempted by such traditions as the veneration of angels, for such practices are based on idle speculation and spiritual pride. Ascetic practices should also be rejected. Those who practices such restrained may have the appearance of wisdom, but their is no real value in their "false humility and their harsh treatment of the body." (Chapter 2)

Although such teachers pretend heavenly knowledge their minds are actually focused on the earth, rather than Christ. Those who share in the Christian life must "put to death" the earthly nature, especially as express in "sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." They must also show kindness and compassion toward one another: "Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Their lives should be filled with gratitude, thanksgiving, and spiritual songs. Wives must submit to their husband, husband should love their wives, children should submit to their parents, and Fathers must not discourage their children, slaves must obey their masters, and masters should not abuse their slaves. (Chapter 3)

Finally, a Christian's life should be full of prayer and thanksgiving. Tychicus will the bear of the letter, and he will informing the Colossians of the state of the apostle (4:7-9). Accompanying him will be Onesimus, the escaped slave who had been converted to Christianity by Paul and may now be returning to his master, Philemon, in Colossae. Greetings are sent from several persons with Paul, including Epaphras, Mark, Luke, and Justus. Paul bids the church exchange this letter with an earlier one (now lost) that he had sent to the neighboring Laodicean Church. He then closes the epistle with a salutation in his own hand.

Singnificance

Theological, the letter the the Colossians is important for two main reasons. First, more than any other "Pauline" letter except Ephesians, it is characterized by a "high Christology," in which Jesus in not only the rise Messiah, but the person by whom all things were made, and in whom "the fullness of God" in incarnate. These scriptures became key proof texts in the development and defense of the doctrine of the Trinity and the Incarnation. Second Colossians is important for its rejection of mystical speculation and asceticism, especially of the Gnostic variety. At the same time, it stimulated Christian speculation into the nature and function of angels, so that Paul's "thrones, or dominions, or principalities, and powers," each became a distinct type of angelic being in Catholic tradition.

As a source of historical investigation, the significance of Colossians depends to some degree on whether one considers it truly Pauline or not. If so, it gives an insight into an form of Christian Gnosticism which had affected the Colossian church and a relatively early date. If not it tells us more about the what the churches of Phrygia faced in the the late first century than during the time when Paul was still alive.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. The New international commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich: W.B. Eerdmans, 1984. ISBN 9780802825100
• Furnish, Victor Paul. The Moral Teaching of Paul. Nashville: Abingdon, 1979. ISBN 9780687271801
• Kiley, Mark Christopher. Colossians As Pseudepigraphy. The biblical seminar, 4. Sheffield, England: JSOT Press, 1986. ISBN 9781850750246
• Lohse, Eduard. Colossians and Philemon; A Commentary on the Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1971. OCLC 217143
• MacDonald, Margaret Y., and Daniel J. Harrington. Colossians and Ephesians. Collegeville, Minn: Liturgical Press, 2000. ISBN 9780814658192

External links

• Online Bible at GospelHall.org

Preceded by: Philippians

Books of the Bible

Succeeded by: 1 Thessalonians

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

• Epistle to the Colossians  ^history

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

• History of "Epistle to the Colossians"

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.