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2. Paul’s Epistles To The Churches & Saints In
Galatia
Philippi
Ephesus
Colossae

3. Paul’s Epistle To The Colossians
Introduction
Where do we read about Colossians in Bible?
Colossians
Who is the Author?
Paul
Location of writing?
Rome while in prison

4. Paul’s Epistle To The Ephesians
Introduction
Timing
AD 61-63
Courier
Tychicus and Onesimus - Col. 4:7-9
Purpose
Christ is everything you need – 1:1-29
Do not let anyone spoil what you have – 2: 1-23
A picture of the true child of God – 3:1-4:18

5. Paul’s Epistle To The Colossians
Companions
Timothy – Col. 1:1
Epaphras – Col. 1:7, 4:13
Tychicus – Col. 4:7-9
Onesimus – Col. 4:7-9, Philemon’s “slave”
Aristarchus – Acts 27:2, Col. 4:10 “fellow prisoner”
Luke – Col. 4:14 “beloved physician”
Mark – Col. 4:10 “Barnabas’ relative”
Justus – Col. 4:11, 14
Demas – Col. 4:11, 14; 2 Tim. 4:10 “forsook Paul” “loved this present world”

6. Paul’s Epistle To The Colossians
What do we know about Colossae?
City of Phrygia in Asia Minor
On east-west trade route through the Lycus valley. Its prominence in the region had started to give way to Hierapolis and Laodicea.
Hierapolis was north of Laodicea which was north west of Colossae.
Home to Epaphras and Philemon
Colossae was known for an angel cult according to secular history.
Colossae had a diverse religious culture of Jews, Gnostics, and Pagans

7. Paul’s Epistle To The Colossians
What do we know about Colossae?
Epaphras is the minister in Colossae and likely founded the church. 1:7
Epaphras visited Paul in Rome and is now imprisoned. Philemon 23
We have no record of Paul visiting. 2:1
It was destroyed by an earthquake near the time of this letter.
It was completely destroyed and relocated in the 1192/3 AD timeframe.

8. Paul’s Epistle To The Colossians
Intertwined Stories
Multiple letters are being delivered at this time to the region
Philemon received an individual letter regarding Onesimus.
The combination of Colossians and Philemon give us a much clearer picture of current state of the Christians involved.

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