WHO WROTE:  Paul.

 

 

WHAT TIME PERIOD IS COVERED:  57 A.D. - 62 A.D.?

 

 

WHEN WRITTEN:  This Epistle was written by Paul at Rome during his first imprisonment there (Acts 28:16, 30), probably in the spring of 57/58 A.D., (some place this as late as 62, 63, or 64 A.D., but this is way too late in his ministry for a first imprisonment).  It was written soon after he had written his Epistle to the Ephesians.  “. . . written while he was a prisoner in Rome,” AA:471.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:  Any Book written by Paul must be classified with this important statement from Peter, that all the writings of Paul are “hard to be understood,” Second Peter 3:16.

 

If we could choose ONE VERSE to describe the ministry of Paul, according to Paul himself, it would be Colossians 1:28:  “that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”  By contrast, if there be just ONE VERSE that TOTALLY explains how it is that anyone is saved, THIS IS IT:  Colossians 1:27, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

 

Epaphras & Philemon probably founded the Colossian Church (Col. 1:7; 4:12) since Paul was himself an unknown personally to the Colossians (see Col. 1:4 & 8 & 9; 2:1 & 5; 4:13-16).  Epaphras apparently carried the “Good News” back to his home in Colossae (Col. 1:7-9; 4:12), while Philemon had a Church meeting in Epaphras’ home (Phm. 1:2).

 

The Book of Colossians genuineness is attested to by Justin Martyr, in his work, “contra Tryphon,” page 311 b.; by Theophilus of Antioch, in his work, “Autol.,” 2:10; by Irenaeus (3:14, section 1); by Clement of Alexandria, in his work, “Stromata,” 1:325; by Tertullian, in his work, “Praescr. Haeret.,” 7; and lastly by Origen, in his work, “c. Celsus,” 5:8.

 

These three Epistles of Paul, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, were most likely sent at the same time, being carried by the same bearer, Tychicus (Col. 4:7), and most likely accompanied by Onesimus (Col. 4:9); although Ephesians was written earlier, because similar phrases in the Letter to the Ephesians appear more expanded than those in the Letter to the Colossians.  The “ye also” (as well as the Colossians), may imply to this fact (Eph. 6:21).

 

Philippians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Colossians, are known as the Captivity Epistles.  The similarity between the three Epistles, written about the same date to the two neighboring cities, is an un-designed coincidence and proof of genuineness.  Compare:

 

Ephesians 1:7 with Colossians 1:14;

Ephesians 1:10 with Colossians 1:20;

Ephesians 3:2 with Colossians 1:25;

Ephesians 5:19 with Colossians 3:16;

Ephesians 6:22 with Colossians 4:8;

Ephesians 1:19 & 2:5 with Colossians 2:12-13;

Ephesians 4:2-4 with Colossians 3:12-15;

Ephesians 4:16 with Colossians 2:19;

Ephesians 4:32 with Colossians 3:13;

Ephesians 4:22-24 with Colossians 3:9-10;

Ephesians 5:6-8 with Colossians 3:6-8;

Ephesians 5:15-16 with Colossians 4:5;

Ephesians 6:19-20 with Colossians 4:3-4;

Ephesians 5:22-23 & 6:1-9 with Colossians 3:18;

Ephesians 4:24-25 with Colossians 3:9;

Ephesians 5:20-22 with Colossians 3:17-18.

 

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia we learn:  “The authenticity was not questioned until the second quarter of the 19th century when Mayerhoff claimed on the ground of style, vocabulary, and thought that it was not by the apostle.  The Tubingen school claimed, on the basis of a supposed Gnosticism, that the epistle was the work of the 2nd century and so not Pauline.  This position has been thoroughly answered by showing that the teaching is essentially different from the Gnosticism of the 2nd century, especially in the conception of Christ as prior to and greater than all things created,” (Col. 1:16).

 

In a side note, according to “Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible,” “In the latter part of the reign of Nero, and not long after this Epistle was written, the cities of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, were at the same time overwhelmed by an earthquake.  Pliny, Hist. Nat. Lib. v. c. 41.  Colossae recovered, however, from this shock, and is mentioned by the Byzantine writers as among the most opulent cities; see Koppe, Prolegomena.”

 

Also, according to Acts 15:40-41; 16:1-3 & 6, the Gospel was first preached in Phrygia (of which ancient Colossae was part of) by Paul and Silas, who were also accompanied by Timothy.  It is said that they “went throughout Phrygia,” which means, doubtless, that they went to the principal cities and towns.  In Acts 18:23 it states that Paul visited Phrygia again, after he had been to Philippi, Athens, Jerusalem, and Antioch.