Greetings From Paul
Paul wrote this letter to the Colossian Church to address some false teaching that was taking place in the church.
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- Paul feel a pastoral responsibility for the church at Colosse (and Laodicea). He wants to help them deal with the dangerous teaching threatening their spiritual health.
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Colossians 1:1-2 NLT
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
2 We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
May God our Father give you grace and peace.
Examine the Scriptures:
Colossians 1:1-2 NLT
- The church at Colosse was not founded by Paul.
The Apostle Paul did not visit Colosse as far as we know from the Bible. While Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians, it is widely believed that he had never been to the city.
In Colossians 2:1, Paul mentions that he is writing to people who “have never met me personally,” which indicates he had not personally visited them. However, Paul had a deep concern for the church there and wrote the letter to address doctrinal issues and encourage their faith.
Colossians 2:1 NLT
2:1 I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally.
- Paul felt a pastoral responsibility for the church at Colosse (and Laodicea). He wants to help them deal with the dangerous teaching threatening their spiritual health. (bullet point repeated)
Paul wrote to correct doctrinal errors that threatened the Colossian church.
Laodicea was located just north of Colosse.
It appears that the false teachings in Colosse had spread to Laodicea.
Laodicea is one of the churches mentioned in Revelations.
Revelation 3:14-16 NLT
The Message to the Church in Laodicea
14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!
The church in Colosse was likely established by Epaphras, a co-worker of Paul who was from that region (Colossians 1:7-8; 4:12-13).
- During the time when Paul spent three years in Ephesus, Epaphras may have heard Paul sharing the gospel, was converted, and took the gospel message to Colosse.
Acts 19:8-10 NLT
Paul Ministers in Ephesus
8 Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. 9 But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.
Colossians 1:7-8 NLT
7 You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. 8 He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.
If Paul was the spiritual father of Epaphras, that would have made Paul the spiritual grandfather of the church at Colosse.
- It appears that Epaphras was concerned about some false teachers at Colosse. He was so concerned about the false teaching that was occurring in the Colossian church that he had traveled to Rome to discuss this matter with Paul.
Epaphras would have been with Paul when Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians.
Colossians 4:12-13 NLT
12 Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. 13 I can assure you that he prays hard for you …
This letter was written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome sometime between A.D. 60-62 and is referred to as a prison epistle (along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon.)
7 of Paul’s letters (Galatians, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Colossians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus) address false teaching, false teachers, or the misunderstanding of Christian doctrines within the church.
Colosse was a small city in Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia. It was on the Lycus River about 100 – 120 miles east of Ephesus. At one point in time, Colosse was on a trade route. When the trade route changed, Colosse was diminished to a second rate market town. It was known for its wool production.
- Colosse was a small city whose population was mainly Gentile with some Jews.
The church itself was likely made up of both Gentile and Jewish Christians.
- Paul’s emphasis on the unity of believers in Christ (Colossians 3:11 NLT) suggests that the church was ethnically and culturally diverse, united by their faith in Jesus.
Colossians 3:11 NLT
11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul,
chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus,
Paul considered himself to be an apostle of Jesus Christ.
He was not one of the original 12 Apostles, but he did see the risen Christ
1 Corinthians 9:1 NLT
9:1 … Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord?
1 Corinthians 15:8-9 NLT
8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. 9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.
And he did possess special miraculous powers given to authenticate apostles.
2 Corinthians 12:12 NLT
12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.
- It was God’s plan, not Paul’s plan, for Paul to be an apostle.
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- Paul was commissioned and sent by God.
- Paul’s authority comes from God.
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Application for us:
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Philippians 2:13 NLT
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
and from our brother Timothy.
2 We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
Look at Colossians 3:12 NLT
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves,
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Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, (NIV)
Christians are holy in the eyes of God because of what Christ has done for them.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
Ephesians 1:4 NLT
4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
Some translations say:
To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: ESV
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: KJV
Those who have been separated from sin and set apart for God’s purposes.
Paul addresses the Colossian believers as faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
Paul addresses the Colossians as God’s holy people.
Paul addresses the Colossians as people who have a personal relationship with Christ.
The phrase “in Christ” is used 6 times in the book of Colossians.
The phrase “with Christ” is used 6 times in the book of Colossians
- Paul is writing this letter to God’s holy people.
- God’s holy people (Saints) are set apart for God’s use.
- The recipients of this letter are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
- The recipients of this letter are “believers” in Christ Jesus.
May God our Father give you grace and peace.
Imagine knowing that people were praying this for you.
Discuss grace.
Grace is unmerited favor and kindness of God toward humanity, freely given despite our undeserving nature.
Grace enables us as believers to live godly lives and overcome sin.
Grace empowers us as believers to grow in holiness and fulfill God’s purposes.
Grace provides strength, guidance, and hope in our spiritual journey.
- Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness.
- Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit.
