Colossians- Introduction

Additional Details

• Author: Paul
• Audience: Believers in Colossae
• Original Greek Name: Κολοσσαείς
• Translated Hebrew Name: קולוסים
• Common English Name: Colossians
• Transliteration: Kolossaeís
• Meaning: Colossians
• Date Created: c 60 CE
• Content Reference Time: c 59-60 CE
• Key Individuals:
  • Paul
  • Timothy
  • Tychicus
  • Onesimus
  • Aristarchus
  • Mark
  • Epaphras
• Key Themes:
  • The work Messiah has done (Colossians 1:1-2:23)
  • The work believers should do (Colossians 3:1-4:18)
• Date Canonized: c 70-170 CE
• Abstract:

  Paul wrote his letter to the believers in Colossae to counter the teachings of the ascetic Gnostics.  Gnosticism teaches that a person is saved only by special knowledge [Greek gnosis], which the Gnostic masters happened to have.  Their false teachings held that everything spiritual was good and everything physical was bad.  As such, the Gnostics were teaching believers to abstain from sanctifying their lives physically and enjoy the good things that G-d had given to them but to engage in "self-abasement and severe treatment of the body."  Paul declares Messiah's deity and encourages the believers to let no one act as their judge regarding their observance of the Law because their observance is a shadow of what is to come and the substance of which is Messiah Himself who is the head over all believers.  Paul concludes with a series of greetings and words of encouragement to believers in Colossae and Laodicea.

• Location Created: Rome
• Content Location: Colossae, Laodicea
• Teaches:
  • Yeshua is G-d.
  • Yeshua is the head of all believers.
  • Believers have union with Messiah.
  • Legalism, asceticism, and mysticism are false teachings.
• Chapters: 4
• Verses: 95