Author

The apostle Paul, accompanied by Timothy, wrote Colossians (Colossians 1:1, 23; 4:18).

From Where Written

The apostle also penned Colossians from prison in Rome (Colossians 1:7-8; 4:3, 7-14; cf. Philemon verses 1, 10-13, 22-24; Ephesians 6:21; Philippians 1:13; 4:22; Acts 28:16, 30-31).

When Written

Paul wrote the letter during his first imprisonment in Rome, about A.D. 60-62.

To Whom Written

Paul directed his letter in language almost identical to his epistle to the Ephesians by addressing "the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse" (Colossians 1:2).

The City of Colosse

Colosse was about 100 miles east of Ephesus, in the Lycus River valley, in the Roman province of Asia. It was approximately 12 miles upriver from Hierapolis and Laodiocea (cf. Colossians 4:13). It had once been a large and important city, but had diminished to little more than a country village and had been surpassed by its neighboring cities in New Testament times. The city was located in a wealthy region dominated by two kindred trades: wool production from the sheep that grew nearby for garment production in Laodicea and the dyeing of cloth. The chalky waters of the Lycus river were especially suitable for dyeing. The inhabitants were primarily native Phyrgians and Greek colonists. A colony of ca. 2,000 Jewish families had been brought into the region by Antiochus the Great (223-187 B.C.), and they had prospered. Thus, more Jews had joined them, and their influence was great.

The Church in Colosse

There is no proof Paul ever preache in Colosse. He learne of their faith by report (Colossians 1:4). Apparently they had not seen him (Colossians 2:1). The gospel probably came here while Paul was preaching in Ephesus (Acts 19:10). They heard the gospel from Epaphras, Paul's fellow servant and a faithful minister of Christ (Colossians 1:7). At the time Paul write, Epaphras was with him, but he was a Colossian, prayed in their behalf, and was very concerned about them (Colossians 4:12-13). Apparently the church at Colosse was made up predominantly of Gentiles (Colossians 1:21, 27; 2:13; 3:5-7). Archippus labored with them at the time Paul wrote (Colossians 4:17). Apparently the Colossians were being bothered by pagan philosophy (Colossians 2:4, 8), which denie the preeminence of Christ (Colossians 2:9-10), denied his bodily incarnation (Colossians 1:2; 2:9) an taught the Colossians that fleshly sins were insignificant (Colossians 3:1-6). They were also troubled by Judaism (Colossians 2:11-17). These elements were combine the second and third century to form the gnostic heresies. Paul and the Colossians were very interested in each other (Colossians 4:7-9).

Purpose of Book

Paul's purpose in Colossians is to show the preeminence of Christ in all things (Colossians 1:14-22; 2:9-10; 3:4, 11, 17). Whereas Colossians shows the preeminence of Christ primarily contraste with pagan philosophy, Hebrews portrays the preeminence of Christ compared to the law. Together they show that in Christ there is no room to borrow from either Judaism or human philosophy in orer to serve Christ. Christ is complete, an we are complete in him.

Theme

The theme of Colossians is Christ, the fullness of God (Colossians 1:19). As Christ is "the fullness of the Gohead bodily" (Colossians 2:9), all God has for us spiritually is in Him.

Outline
(adapted from an outline by Homer Hailey)

I. Salutation - 1:1-2

II. Introduction - 1:3-13
... A. Thanksgiving for the church at Colosse - 1:3-8
... B. Prayer on their behalf - 1:9-11
... C. Thanksgiving to God for his part in redemption - 1:12-13

III. Christ, the fullness of God - 1:14-2:23
... A. Christ, preeminent in all things - 1:14-22
...... 1. relationship to sin: Reedemer - verse 14
...... 2. relationship to God: Image - verse 15
...... 3. relationship to creation: Creator - verses 16-17
...... 4. relationship to church: Head - verse 18
...... 5. relationship to Godhood: Fullness - verse 19
...... 6. relationship to mankind: Reconciliator - verses 20-22
... B. Christ, the mystery of God - 1:23-29
... C. Christ, the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - 2:1-3
... D. Christ, the fulness of the Christian - 2:4-23
...... 1. Beware of philosophy - verses 4-8
...... 2. We are complete in the complete Christ - verses 9-13
...... 3. Do not be judged by the law - verses 14-17
...... 4. Do not be beguiled from Christ by the rudiments of the world - verses 18-23

IV. Do all in the name of Christ (the new life in Christ) - 3:1-4:6
... A. A new life with new affections - 3:1-4
... B. The old life to be put to death - 3:5-11
... C. New character in Christ - 3:12-17
... D. New relationships in Christ - 3:18-4:1
...... 1. wives to husbands - verse 18
...... 2. husbands to wives - verse 19
...... 3. children to parents - verse 20
...... 4. fathers to children - verse 21
...... 5. servants to masters - verses 22-25
...... 6. masters to servants - verse 1
... E. New life of prayer - 4:2-4
... F. New relationship to people of the world - 4:5
... G. New speech - 4:6

V. Conclusion - 4:7-18
... A. Information by Tychicus and Onesimus - 4:7-9
... B. Various salutations - 4:10-15
... C. Directions - 4:16-17
... D. Paul's salutation - 4:18