Jews had settled in this region prior to their Babylonian captivity when the wars with Babylon and the Assyrians were starting to take their toll. The earliest evidence of Jewish occupancy in this region is in 600 B.C. During the time of Paul, false teachings and the various ecstatic elements that dilute the Gospel were being brought into the Church. Thus Paul had to address and warn the church members. It is quite relevant even today also.
Even though the city was in decline, it still housed the Greek mother-daughter goddess cult of “Cybele” which propagated Gnosticism. This brought in many travellers with new ideas so that a person who was not growing in the faith or desiring to seek God first, would desire to seek substitutes simply for the thrill, just as people do today. This situation brought in many distractions for understanding and applying the Person of Christ.
Key-verses:
“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” (2:9-10)
Purpose:
Paul had never visited Colossae but the church which was founded by Epaphras was growing in the midst of difficult surrounding. Native Colossae were called Phrygians who believed in primitive spirits and were animistic in their faith. They were joined by Greeks, who settled at the time of Alexander the Great and Jews who arrived to make the most of trading opportunities. Since the town had such a pluralistic society, there was a strong attack of false teaching on the local church. Belief in astrology, spirits, syncretism and different kinds of ‘isms’ were invading the churches. In the midst of such disturbances, Paul writes the letter primarily to encourage them to grow strong in the Lord.
Outline:
- The supreme work of Christ and Paul’s labour for the ministry. (Chap.1)
- Paul’s letter to 2-churches viz. Colossae and Laodicea (chap.2)
- High calling. (chap.3)
- Verbal ministry and encouragement of brethren. (chap.4)