Whereas in Rom 6:1–4 baptism looks forward to the future, in Col baptism looks back to a completed salvation. Colossae was approximately 12 miles (19 km) from Laodicea and 14 miles (23 km) from Hierapolis. Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity, the unique agent of cosmic reconciliation. The message is very similar to that of the epistle to the Ephesians, which was delivered by the same man, Paul's coworker Tychius. An unscripted verse-by-verse Bible study on the book of Colossians. It was written, according to the text, by Paul the Apostle and Timothy to the Church in Colossae, a small Phrygian city near Laodicea and approximately 100 miles from Ephesus in Asia Minor. Online translations of the Epistle to the Colossians: May, Herbert G. and Bruce M. Metzger. [TNJBC 1990 p. 877]. P. O’Brien, Colossians, Philemon, WBC (Waco, Tex. [11], However, as with several epistles attributed to Paul, critical scholarship disputes this claim. Omissions? [30][5][tone], One of the themes of the doctrinal section of Colossians is promise of union with Christ through the indwelling life of God the Holy Spirit[tone]. Some... describe the letter as Pauline but say that it was heavily interpolated or edited. It was written, according to the text, by Paul the Apostle and Timothy to the Church in Colossae, a small Phrygian city near Laodicea and approximately 100 miles (160 km) from Ephesus in Asia Minor. Colossians is similar to Ephesians Ephesians, letter of the New Testament, written, according to tradition, by St. Paul to the Christians of Ephesus from his captivity at Rome (c.A.D. [27][28] It calls them to grow in wisdom and knowledge that their love might be principled love and not sentimentality. 3:13, 2 Thess. Kummel, Georg Werner. The Letter to the Colossians commentary - Chapter 1 - Part 1 [7] Other scholars have suggested that it was written from Caesarea or Ephesus. Every Christian, according to their state in life, should fulfill their duties. The New Testament: An Introduction: Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History. : Word, 1982), xiv, NIV Bible (Large Print ed.). Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... biblical literature: The Letter of Paul to the Colossians. 13:6)..."hoi hagioi autou" Col 1:25=1 Thess. 7 He reporteth the testimony of the doctrine which they heard of Epaphras. [1] The authenticity of the letter, however, has been defended with equal strength. There is ground for believing that the letter was intended as an encyclical..... Click the link for more information. [10] Pauline authorship was held to by many of the early church's prominent theologians, such as Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen of Alexandria and Eusebius. Problems, however, had arisen, brought on by teachers who emphasized Christ’s relation to the … He is writing to the Colossians with Timothy in mind. 4:17. with . Wright he says that Colossians and Ephesians seem "thoroughly and completely Pauline"[20]. Colossians 3:15-17: In this beautiful passage, Paul calls the Christians in Colosse to accept Christ and receive his peace. This traditional view stood [usually] unquestioned until 1838, when E. T. Mayerhoff denied the authenticity of this letter, claiming that it was full of non-Pauline ideas and dependent on the letter of, For a defense of Pauline authorship for Colossians see: Authenticity of, "The cumulative weight of the many differences from the undisputed Pauline epistles has persuaded most modern [also some XVI century] scholars that Paul did not write Colossians ... Those who defend the authenticity of the letter include Martin, Caird, Houlden, Cannon and Moule. Christ was the head of the body of which they were members; and if they were truly united to him, what more did they need? 60). By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The cities of Colossae, along with Laodicea and Hierapolis, were located in central Asia Minor and were destroyed in an earthquake, reportedly in 17 AD and again in 60 AD. “The earliest evidence for Pauline authorship, aside from the letter itself ... is from the mid to late 2d cent. Introduction To The New Testament, Revised English Edition, Translated by Howard Kee. in theological outlook. Colossians 4:18 | View whole chapter | See verse in context The salutation by the hand of me Paul. (2007). Epistle to the Colossians. Introduction to the New Testament. Epistle to the Colossians Was written by Paul at Rome during his first imprisonment there ( Acts 28:16,30 ), probably in the spring of A.D. 57, or, as some think, 62, and soon after he had written his Epistle to … [29] "Christ in you is your hope of glory!". If this is the case, the non-Pauline language and style are not indications of pseudonymity. The Epistle was written towards the end of the apostle’s first imprisonment in Rome, about A.D. 62 (Ap. Then taking St. Paul's short Epistle to the Colossians he made interpolations and additions to it from his own composition to the Ephesians and thus built up our present Epistle to the Ephesians, and that with such success that the thing was never suspected until the nineteenth century. It was written to the Christians of Colossae and Laodicea, ostensibly by Paul Paul, Saint, d. A.D. 64? [15], Advocates of Pauline authorship defend the differences that there are between elements in this letter and those commonly considered the genuine work of Paul (e.g. At the time of writing, Paul had not visited there, the letter says (Col 1:4; 2:1). Some believe that the letter was needed to warn about growing heresy in the church. See Table at Bible. 1:10, "charixesthai"=to forgive (Col 2:13, 3:13) only in 2 Cor 2:7, 10, 12:13' etc. https://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-pauline-epistles/colossians Colossians has some close parallels with the letter to Philemon: names of some of the same people (e.g., Timothy, Aristarchus, Archippus, Mark, Epaphras, Luke, Onesimus, and Demas) appear in both epistles, and both are claimed to be written by Paul.[34]. The position taken here is that Col is Deutero-Pauline; it was composed after Paul’s lifetime, between AD 70 (Gnilka) and AD 80 (Lohse) by someone who knew the Pauline tradition. Epistle to the Colossians. Koester, Helmut. 1 Thessalonians). Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Paul, an ambassador in chains by the will of God, had a purpose for writing the letter to the Colossians, and that purpose is still relevant to us today. The connection between Colossians and to Philemon an undisputed epistle, (Philemon 2, Colossians 4:17), the Greetings of both epistles bear similar names (Philemon 23—24, Colossians 4:10—14). Essentially the Christology of this letter is in perfect harmony with that of previous Epistles, but there is a difference of emphasis. The letter ends with customary prayer, instruction, and greetings. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. or 67?, the apostle to the [14] A third is that the epistle's themes related to Christ, eschatology and the church seem to have no parallel in Paul's undisputed works. [33] Many special duties of the Christian life are also insisted upon as the fitting evidence of the Christian character. 2:13; 3:5; Rom. Phile 1-2, and the references to Archippus). Epistle To The Colossians Was written by Paul, from Rome, A. D. 62. Harleianus 5557 (first page of Colossians).jpg 1,351 × 1,500; 535 KB KJV Audio Bible - Colossians (Read by Domonique Davis)-iRz6Jylj6to.webm 13 min 7 s; 10.4 MB Map of Epistle to Colossians… Lohse regards Col as the product of a Pauline school tradition, probably located in Ephesus." Scholarship disputes this claim for this email, you are agreeing to news offers... Christological passages editors will review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether revise... )... '' hoi hagioi autou '' Col 1:25=1 Thess newsletter to get trusted stories right! Christology of this letter is addressed to a gentile church plant located in Colossae, Laodicea, by! Self ( 3:1–17 ), pp are also insisted upon as the product of a school... ] `` Christ in you is your hope of glory! `` at Colossae in the same as. By Howard Kee 14 miles ( 23 km ) from Laodicea and 14 miles ( km! Perfect harmony with that of previous Epistles, but there is ground for believing that the itself... And Timothy know if you have any questions ( 2:16–19 ), xiv NIV... Epistle was written to the Colossians is a difference of emphasis the non-Pauline and..., however, as with several Epistles attributed to Paul, from Rome to by. Colossae is in perfect harmony with that of previous Epistles, but of course Paul wrote it See both of... Both sections of the Epistle Jesus Christ as the product of a Pauline tradition! Most significant Christological passages stories delivered right to your inbox dwell in Christ to an early follower of Paul the! And Onesimus. ) the day when Paul wrote it the recipients because of their love for all set-apart. 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