Colossians Introduction
Introduction
Paul was in prison in Rome. He was waiting for his trial before the Emperor Caesar. It was during this time Paul wrote to the believers in the city of Colossae. Paul had never met this group of believers. But they knew who he was. And they respected Paul’s leadership and teaching. When Paul was in Ephesus, he had worked with a man named Epaphras. Epaphras was from the city of Colossae. So Paul sent Epaphras back to Colossae to bring the good new about Jesus. Epaphras shared the good news about Jesus in Colossae. He also brought the good news to the cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis. Epaphras was later arrested and brought to Rome as a prisoner. Paul learned what was happening in these cities from Epaphras.
The people in Colossae were mostly Gentiles. But like the believers in Galatia they were being pushed to follow the Jewish laws. They were being asked to add extra rules and false teachings to their faith. Some of this group of believers thought they were better than the others. That’s because they had visions and believed they received secret spiritual knowledge. So Paul wrote this letter to all of them. Paul told them that nothing needs to be added to their faith. Faith in Jesus the Messiah is all they need to be saved.
Paul states clearly that all things in heaven and earth were created through Jesus. All things were brought back to God by Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus Christ is the fullness of God’s being. Paul tells the Colossians that belief in Jesus Christ is all they need to be saved. God has made them into new people. So now they can live their faith to the fullest. Nothing needs to be added to it. Paul ends his letter with practical advice on how to live the new life of following Jesus.
Currently Selected:
Colossians Introduction: NIrV
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.