day 4

Read Colossians 1
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1&version=NIV
The Christians at Colosse were mostly Gentiles. Paul seemed to equate “you Gentiles” and “in you” in 1:27. Later, he classed them among the uncircumcised, (2:13) indicating a Gentile origin. Paul also intended that the Laodiceans read this letter (4:16).

Colosse was located in the Lycus Valley about 120 miles east of Ephesus. The Lycus Valley, branching off from the Neander River, served as the natural gateway to Lydia and Phrygia, placing Colosse on an important trade route. Colosse’s sister cities, Laodicea and Hierapolis, were located about ten miles northwest of Colosse.

The Greek historian Herodotus mentioned Colosse as a place of strategic importance. The city may have found its origin as a military base. The chief article of commerce, for which the city was well known, was colossinus, peculiar wool that was somewhat purple in color.

There was a distinctive Jewish element at Colosse, but the majority of the citizens were Gentiles. The gospel was introduced to Colosse as a result of Paul’s long and influential ministry at Ephesus (Acts 19:10, 26; 4:12–13). Epaphras, who brought the news of the church to Paul in Rome, may have been influential in bringing the gospel to Colosse (Col. 1:7–8). Archippus was also actively ministering there (Col. 4:17; Philem. 1:2). From all indications, it appears that Paul had not visited Colosse before he wrote to the believers there, and many in Colosse had not met Paul (2:1).

The occasion of the letter was the arrival of Epaphras from Colosse (1:7–9; 4:12) with the information about the growth of the church in witness and love (1:3–8). But opponents had come into the area as Paul had predicted (Acts 20:29) and were presenting false doctrine.

The letter to the Colossians was designed to help the readers understand that there was no power greater than Christ. Paul did this by showing how Christ is responsible for maintaining the entire universe, redeeming the world, and overseeing his church. Thoughts and activities based on anything less than Christ’s supremacy were to be corrected and conformed to his truth.



Paul’s greeting (1:1–2) is followed by heartfelt thanksgiving for the impact of the Gospel (vv. 3–8) and a prayer which outlines the way to spiritual fruitfulness (vv. 9–11) in Christ’s kingdom (vv. 12–14). Paul then quickly draws the Colossians’ attention to Christ. The Jesus Paul describes is the real Christ: the One in whom we find redemption and forgiveness. This Christ is the visible manifestation of the invisible God, the heir of all creation (v. 15). This Christ is the creative source of the visible and invisible universe, who not only made all things but whose power holds all things together (vv. 16–17). He is supreme over everything and though God in His fullness, His blood shed on the cross is the source of reconciliation for all humankind (vv. 18–20). Paul says it again: God in Christ took on a physical body and in that body He died to make us holy (vv. 21–23).
As for Paul, he gladly accepts any personal sufferings in order to share the great mystery of the Gospel: that this glorious Christ now takes up residence in the believer and is Himself the hope of all the glorious things that await you and me here, and in eternity (vv. 24–29).


Discussion and reflection question

How does your prayer life for others compare with Paul’s: In intensity? In thankfulness? In clarity? In faithfulness?