You would never know from reading the epistle to the Colossians that the apostle Paul once was an adversary of Jesus Christ and his gospel (Acts 7:58,9 5)
Not only does Paul strongly express his love for the Lord in this letter but he also emphasizes the preeminence of Jesus in God’s plan.
Another theme in the epistle is particularly useful for our time Paul warns us of the ultimate worthlessness of this present evil world He is concerned lest we be entrapped by worldly thinking As he says elsewhere “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (II Cor 11:3).
He directs his letter “to the saints and faithful brethren in Colosse” to keep them walking in the light Although Paul’s greeting is to the faithful m Colosse (1 2), he intended this letter be circulated more widely At the very least he wished that it be read in the ecclesia at Laodicea (4 16) These two cities were close together geographically in Asia and it seems likely they faced similar problems (2 1) Paul advises the Colossians to read the letter he had written to the Laodiceans While Colossians has been included in the scriptures, no letter titled “Epistle to the Laodiceans” appears.
Incidentally Paul’s letter is also directed specifically to “Christadelphians ” In his greeting he uses the Greek phrase adelphos en Christos which Bro Thomas anglicized to Christadelphian.
Written from prison
A pleasant aspect of Paul’s writings is that he is always ready to thank God no matter what his circumstances Even while he is in prison, Paul does not seem to be discouraged (4 3) One reason for optimism was the gospel was rapidly spreading as believers, often his converts, told others about God’s grace Another was that even though Paul was detained in prison, he had the freedom to send and receive messengers It is a paradox that imprisonment of his person offered him opportunities for spreading the gospel yet, before his conversion, the imprisonment of his mind by Jewish traditions had caused him to persecute true believers in Christ It follows that an imprisoned mind is a greater cause for concern than an imprisoned body In Saul’s case it took a miracle to set him free.
In fact, even while he was detained in prison Paul was surrounded with many brethren who helped him persevere as a preacher to the gentiles (II Tim 111) Prominent among them was Epaphras, a Colossian, who had learned the gospel from Paul Was Epaphras simply a concerned brother who had come to discuss the difficulties of his home ecclesia with Paul or had he come to request that Paul write them this letter? He obviously felt confident Paul’s letter would be effective since he remains with Paul praying for their perfection (4:12)
Did Paul actually preach at Colosse? His knowledge of some of these brethren seems to be by hearing only (1 4) yet there is a suggestion he had seen others of them in the flesh (2:1). In Acts we learn that the Holy Spirit restrained him from preaching in Asia (Acts 16:6). Later we are told he “went all over the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order” (Acts 18:23). This is reinforced by “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). Nevertheless, Paul claims the Colossians learned the gospel from Epaphras (1:6,7 RSV).
Danger from false teachings
When Paul wrote this letter, the Colossians were not in danger of suffering bodily, but they were in danger of suffering spiritually as they were being assaulted by wrong thoughts from misguided teachers. Don’t be beguiled by enticing words, was Paul’s advice., “Ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (2:6).
Two major false philosophies troubled the believers in Colosse which, if believed, would have them deny the supremacy of Jesus. Although the perpetrators are not actually named by Paul, the topics Paul raises suggest that judaizers were trying to make inroads into ecclesial thinking. Circumcision (2:11), legalism (2:14) and dietary laws (2:16) were being advocated as requirements for the faithful. The Colossians could safely disregard such customs since Paul asserts these were but a shadow of things to come. In his epistle to the Philippians Paul warns: “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3:3). Anyone knowing Paul’s former obedience to the law would consider his testimony on the false philosophy decisive.
The other false philosophy being promoted in Colosse is harder to pin down. It may have been a precursor of Gnosticism, considered by its adherents a “special, superior” kind of knowledge. Its practitioners wanted to incorporate mystical, special revelations into Christian thinking. It also elevated the ones who claimed to have this special knowledge into intermediaries between God and man. Paul’s letter was written to persuade the believers at Colosse not to let this charade take hold.
Exhortations to the brethren
After dealing with the problems of false teaching, Paul goes on to describe how the new life should be led: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (3:2). Paul then lists some sins to be avoided and explains that these are the reason God’s wrath comes on the children of disobedience (3:6). Some of the Colossians had formerly lived in these sins but now Paul commands them to “put on the new man…” (3:10).
Sound advice follows as Paul explains how to obtain harmony in an ecclesia “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all” (3.11).
Pondering the contents of this brief epistle should convince us, “Ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (2:10). There is no need to look to the world for additional knowledge or to those who would impose additional rules on our walk. So let us “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (4:5).
Signs suggest it may be short.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One