Introduction to Colossians

1. Authorship  Paul is stated as the author in Col. 1:1  Letter is different in many ways.

 Answers to noted differences:  Difference in style – church not founded by Paul and one he had not visited  Difference in subject due to heresy  Theological difference result of differing situation – differing emphases.

 Conclusion:  Paul

2. The False Teaching  Defective Christology – low view of Christ  Philosophical in nature  Jewish element  Angel worship  Emphasis upon “elemental spirits”  Snobbish and exclusivistic  Emphasis upon asceticism

 Three elements: pagan, Christian, Jewish

3. Occasion and Purpose  Colossae – located in Lychus River valley  Paul did not establish church nor had he visited  Perhaps commissioned Epaphras to establish church while in Ephesus  Apparently came to help in prison and sought advice

 Paul’s primary purpose was to refute this heresy  Sent the letter by Tychicus and Onesimus

4. Theme  The all-sufficient Christ