Bible Introductions

Purpose
      Paul wrote this letter to counter the influence of a group (judaizers, legalists, members of the circumcision party) who were troubling the church.

Theology (The Colossian Heresy)
      There has been much debate as to the type of heresy infiltrating the Colossian church, but most likely it is the same as that addressed by Paul in his letters to the Galatians and Romans. Here again were Jewish Christians promoting an elitism through obedience to the regulations of the law. The heresy ran as follows: Although beginning the Christian life is a matter of trusting the finished work of the Jewish Messiah Christ, full standing only comes by submitting the the Jewish Torah (Deuteronomic law), along with the ethic of Christ. Obedience to the law purifies the believer - sanctifies them. Against this view Paul wrote, "such regulations have an appearance of wisdom, with their self imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." We are to go on in the Christian life as we started, by faith in the cross of Christ. Looking to Jesus, to his finished work of love, this is what propels us forward in the Christian life. To return to law ("the basic principles of this world"), is to inevitably place ourselves under the curse which already stands over the people of Israel. Paul therefore opposed the heresy by stressing that fullness in the Christian life is found by faith in Christ alone.
      So, this letter defends the gospel against legalism, by reaffirming:
        i] The uniqueness of the person of Christ - he is the embodiment of the Divine and thus wholly to be relied upon.
        ii] The perfect and complete nature of the redeeming work of Christ on the cross.
        iii] The spiritual freedom and liberty of those who live by faith.

      The argument of the main theological section of the letter is as follows. Paul's readers were once alienated from God and were enemies because of their evil behaviour. Now they have been reconciled to God on the basis of Jesus' death on their behalf, which offering by Christ enables them to be presented to God, holy in his sight, without blemish and free from any accusation by the powers of darkness. Yet, their standing in the sight of God depends on their continuing trust in Christ, particularly in his work on the cross. It depends on their not being moved from the hope of right standing in the sight of God through faith in the sacrificial offering of Christ on the cross - the hope held out in the gospel, 1:21-23. The danger they face is of being deceived by fine-sounding arguments, 2:4. Rather, they must continue to live by faith in Christ, 2:7. They must not be taken captive by a hollow and deceptive philosophy - a good works type of Christianity - which is based on human traditions and the basic principles of this world, 2:8. Christ has forgiven all their sins, having canceled the written code, with all its regulations, 2:13-14. The last thing they need to do is to return to obedience of the law, (do not taste and do not touch) as though trying to do this progresses them in the Christian life - makes them holy, sanctifies them. Such harsh treatment of the person does not restrain evil within, 2:16-17, 20-23. No, they must set their minds on Christ. In his death they die, in his rising they live, 3:1-4. In Christ's act of love on the cross, in the power of his resurrection, they are able to put to death all that belongs to the earthly nature, 3:5. They must live by faith and not by works of the law.

Date and place of writing
      It is generally accepted that Paul wrote this letter from Rome around 61AD after being informed by Epaphras of the situation developing in the church.