Colossians 1:1-2
In addition to Paul’s acknowledgement that he wrote the epistle (Colossians 1:1, 23; 4:18), ancient literature is unanimous in affirming his authorship:
- Marcion (who came to Rome in A.D. 140's), the anti-Old Testament heretic, included it in his Pauline corpus.
- It was listed with Paul's letters in the Muratorian Canon (a list of canonical books from Rome around A.D. 180-200)
- Several early church fathers quote from it and identify Paul as the author:
- Irenaeus (wrote A.D. 177-190)
- Clement of Alexandria (lived A.D. 160-216)
The city of Colosse was located in the Lycus River Valley in what is Western Turkey today. It was part of a Tri-Cities area that included Laodicea (approx. 10 miles Northwest), Hierapolis (approx. 13 miles north), and Colosse. The city was approx. 100 miles due east of Ephesus. The ruins of the church, the stone foundation of a large theater, and a necropolis with stones of a peculiar shape have been found in the city. Colosse decreased in importance as Laodicea and Hierapolis became the predominant cities of the region.
False teaching/teachers were encroaching upon the church of Colosse, which is what prompted Paul to write this letter.
The false teachers were known for their:
- Philosophical Elitism
They were proud of “knowing” something others could not know apart from them, which gave them an elite status. The Greeks loved knowledge and prided themselves in their philosophical systems.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)
They were known for their:
- Speculative Theology
They taught that there were different levels/grades of spirit beings (emanations) which was their way of explaining the origin of evil (protecting God’s holiness) and led to the worship of angels. This teaching stated that instead of Christ being the only mediator between God and man, there were other angelic beings through whom man must go in order to know God.
Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind... (Colossians 2:18)
They were known for their:
- Strident Asceticism
They practiced self-denial/self-torture as a means of achieving a higher spiritual state. These rules were intended to subjugate the physical in order to entertain a higher spiritual knowledge.
Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22which all concern things which perish with the using —according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. (Colossians 2:20-23)
They were known for their:
- Depraved Antinomianism
They took the opposite position, in some cases, indulging their carnal desires believing that the body didn’t matter (only the spirit mattered), thus rejecting any established morality.
Antinomianism (from a Greek word meaning “no law”) is the theological doctrine maintaining that Christians are freed from both moral and civil law by God’s gift of grace.
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God... (Colossians 1:9-10)
They were known for their:
- Legalistic Ceremonialism
They embraced elements of Jewish ceremonialism, dietary laws, and holy days.
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ... (Colossians 2:11)
14...having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross...16So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. (Colossians 2:14, 16-17)
They were known for their:
- Erroneous Christology
They denied the deity of Christ (2:9), the humanity of Christ (1:21-22), and the sufficiency of Christ 1:28; 2:3, 9-10).
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily... (Colossians 2:9)
One of the erroneous views held about Christ was that a “divine influence” came upon Him at His baptism and left before His crucifixion.
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight... (Colossians 1:21-22)
...in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge...For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:3, 9-10; cf. 1:28)
In essence, this was a syncretism of Greek philosophy, Jewish legalism and paganism that made up the beliefs of these pre-gnostic heretics. This false teaching was not well organized at this point in history and consisted of many different components. Therefore, Colossians is a preventative letter to address heretical matters before they were embraced by the church.
There was already a group that held similar beliefs in the first century by the name of the Essenes. They were devoted ascetics/legalists, worshipped angels, strict vegetarians and believed that matter was evil/spirit was good.
It was these issues that were encroaching upon the church at Colosse that caused Epaphras to make a journey to Rome (approx. 1000-1200 miles), where Paul was under house arrest, to discuss these matters with him. In turn, Paul writes the Epistle to the Colossians addressing these false teachings/teachers and sends it to the church (to be read in Hierapolis and Laodicea, too) by a courier whose name was Tychicus (4:7).
Three lessons to take away:
A. We have to define “the faith” biblically.
Illus. Philosophy (butter), psychology ( cornflakes), liberalism (artificial sweetener), mysticism (flour), pietism (salt substitute), consumerism (several other products), theology (cream). This mixture is an illustration of what modern American Christianity looks like in a postmodern world.
But, if you want to bake something (like a cake) you have to follow the directions and use the right ingredients. In a similar manner, you have to follow the instructions of the Word of God and not make stuff up as you go.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
“The Greek orthotomounta, “correctly handling,” found only here and in the Septuagint in Proverbs 3:6 and 11:5, means literally “to cut straight,” but just what image Paul had in mind here is uncertain. Stonemasons, plowers, road builders, tentmakers, and (least likely of all) surgeons have all been suggested, but a firm conclusion remains elusive. What is clear is that the shame of God’s disapproval awaits those who mishandle His Word.” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)...i.e., “to teach correctly, expound rightly” (Louw-Nida: 33.234)
Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17:10-11)
B. We have to defend “the faith” passionately.
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)
“Contend earnestly” refers to a strenuous struggle to overcome an opponent, as in a wrestling match, any contest, conflict, debate or lawsuit. It’s the picture of a person taking a stand on top of something the adversary wants to take away and fighting to defend and retain it.
C. We have to display “the faith” sincerely.
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:2)
“‘Faithful,’ on the other hand, could be a generic description of Christian experience (people who are dedicated to God) but could also, in a polemical (i.e., refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine) sense, single out the Colossians as faithful believers in contrast to other Christians who are not. Since characterizing the Colossians as ‘believing’ would add little to the idea of brothers and sisters in Christ, the translation ‘faithful’ is more likely. Paul chooses this unusual word to remind his readers of their need to continue to maintain allegiance to the gospel tradition that they have been taught (1:5–7; 2:6).” (Moo, D. J. (2008). The letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. The Pillar New Testament Commentary (pp. 78–79). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.)
