Reference: COLOSSE
American
A city of Phrygia, situated on a hill near the junction of the Lycus with the Meander, and not far from the cities Hierapolis and Laodicea, Col 2:1; 4:13,15. With these cities it was destroyed by an earthquake in the tenth year of Nero, about A. D. 65, while Paul was yet living. It was soon rebuilt. The church of Christians in this city, to whom Paul wrote, seems to have been gathered by Epaphras, Col 1:7-9; 4:12-13. In modern times the place is called Chonos.
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and really came to know it, in the form in which Epaphras, my dear fellow-slave, taught it to you. He is my faithful representative as a servant of Christ, and it is he who has told me of the love the Spirit has awakened in you. read more. That is why, from the day I first heard of it, I have never given up praying for you and asking God to fill you, through full spiritual wisdom and insight, with a clear knowledge of what his will is,
For I want you to know what a fight I am putting up for you and for our brothers in Laodicea, and for all who do not know me personally,
Epaphras, one of your own number, a slave of Christ Jesus, wishes to be remembered to you. He is always standing up for you in his prayers that you may stand fast, like men of mature convictions, whatever God's will for you may be. I can testify how anxious he is about you and the brothers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
I can testify how anxious he is about you and the brothers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Remember me to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets at her house.
Fausets
Colosse properly Colossae. A city on the Lycus, an affluent of the Maeander. To the Christians there was addressed Paul's epistle, before he had seen their face (Col 2:1; 1:4,7-8). Epaphras probably founded the Colossian church (Col 1:7; 4:12). Colosse was ethnologically in Phrygia, but politically then in the province of Asia. On the site of the modern Chonos. The foundation of the church must have been subsequent to Paul's visitation, "strengthening in order" all the churches of Galatia and Phrygia (Ac 18:24), for otherwise he must have visited the Colossians, which Col 2:1 implies he had not. Hence, as in the epistle to the Romans, so in the epistle to Colosse there are no allusions to his being their father in the faith, such as there are in 1Co 3:6,10; 4:15; 1Th 1:5; 2:1.
Probably during Paul's "two years" stay at Ephesus, when "all which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus" (Ac 19:10,26), Epaphras, Philemon (Phm 1:2,13,19), Archippus, Apphia, and other natives of Colosse (which was on the high road from Ephesus to the Euphrates), becoming converted at Ephesus, were subsequently the first preachers in their own city. This accounts for their personal acquaintance with, and attachment to, Paul and his fellow ministers, and their salutations to him. So as to "them at Laodicea" (Col 2:1). He hoped to visit Colosse when he should be delivered from his Roman prison (Phm 1:22; compare Php 2:24). The angel worship noticed in Col 2:18 is mentioned by Theodoret as existing in his days.
A legend connected with an inundation was the ground of erecting a church to the archangel Michael near a chasm, probably the one noticed by Herodotus. "The river Lycus, sinking into a chasm in the town, disappears under ground, and, emerging at five stadia distance, flows into the Maeander" (Col 4:18). Two streams, one from the N. the other from the S., pour into the Lycus, both possessing the power of petrifying. The calcareous deposits on the plants, and obstructions which the stream met with, gradually formed a natural arch, beneath which the current flowed as Herodotus describes; the soft crust was probably broken up by an earthquake. In the 4th century the council of Laodicea (in the same region) in its 35th canon prohibited calling upon angels.
EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS: written by Paul during his first captivity at Rome (Ac 28:16), in that part of it when as yet it had not become so severe as it did when the epistle to the Philippians (Php 1:20-21,30) was written (probably after the death of Burrhus, A.D. 62, to whom Tigellinus succeeded as praetorian prefect). Its genuineness is attested by Justin Martyr (contra Tryphon, p. 311 b.), Theophilus of Antioch (Autol., 2:10), Irenaeus (3:14, section 1), Clement of Alexandria (Stromata, 1:325), Tertullian (Praescr. Haeret., 7), Origen (c. Celsus, 5:8). Object: to counteract the Jewish false teaching there, of which Paul had heard from Epaphras (Col 4:12), by setting before them their standing in CHRIST ALONE, exclusive of angels. the majesty of His person (Col 1:15), and the completeness of redemption by Him.
Hence, they ought to be conformed to their risen Lord (Col 3:1-5), and exhibit that conformity in all relations of life. The false teaching opposed in this epistle (Col 2:16,18, "new moon ... sabbath days") is that of Judaizing Christians, mixed up with eastern theosophy, angel worship, and the asceticism of the Essenes (Col 2:8-9,16-23). The theosophists professed a deeper insight into the world of spirits and a greater subjugation of the flesh than the simple gospel affords. Some Alexandrian Jews may have visited Colosse and taught Philo's Greek philosophy, combined with the rabbinical angelology and mysticism, afterward embodied in the Cabbala. Alexander the Great had garrisoned Phrygia with Babylonian Jews.
The Phrygians' original tendency had been to a mystic worship, namely, that of Cybele; so, when Christianized, they readily gave heed to the incipient gnosticism of Judaizers. Later, when the pastoral epistles were written, the evil had reached a more deadly phase, openly immoral teachings (1Ti 4:1-3; 6:5). The place of writing was Rome. The three epistles, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, were sent at the same time. The epistle to Colossians, though carried by the same bearer, Tychicus, who bore that to the Ephesians, was written earlier, for the similar phrases in Ephesians appear more expanded than those in Colossians. The "ye also" (as well as the Colossians) may imply the same fact (Eph 6:21).
The similarity between the three epistles written about the same date to two neighboring cities (whereas those written at distant dates and under different circumstances have little mutual resemblance) is an undesigned coincidence and proof of genuineness. Compare Eph 1:7 with Col 1:14; Eph 1:10 with Col 1:20; Eph 3:2 with Col 1:25; Eph 5:19 with Col 3:16; Eph 6:22 with Col 4:8; Eph 1:19; 2:5 with Col 2:12-13; Eph 4:2-4 with Col 3:12-15; Eph 4:16 with Col 2:19; Eph 4:32 with Col 3:13; Eph 4:22-24 with Col 3:9-10; Eph 5:6-8 with Col 3:6-8; Eph 5:15-16 with Col 4:5; Eph 6:19-20 with Col 4:3-4; Eph 5:22-23; 6:1-9 with Col 3:18; Eph 4:24-25 with Col 3:9; Eph 5:20-22 with Col 3:17-18.
Onesimus traveled with Tychicus, bearing the letter to Philemon. The persons sending salutations are the same as in epistle to Philemon, except Jesus Justus (Col 4:11). Archippus is addressed in both. Paul and Timothy head both. Paul appears in both a prisoner. The style has a lofty elaboration corresponding to the theme, Christ's majestic person and office, in contrast to the Judaizers' beggarly system. In the epistle to the Ephesians, which did not require to be so controversial, he dilates on these truths so congenial to him, with a fuller outpouring of spirit and less antithetical phraseology.
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A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, skilful in the use of the Scriptures.
A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, skilful in the use of the Scriptures.
This went on for two years, so that everyone who lived in Asia, Greeks as well as Jews, heard the Lord's message.
This went on for two years, so that everyone who lived in Asia, Greeks as well as Jews, heard the Lord's message.
and you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but almost all over Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and drawn away numbers of people, telling them that gods made by human hands are not gods at all.
and you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but almost all over Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and drawn away numbers of people, telling them that gods made by human hands are not gods at all.
When we reached Rome, Paul was given permission to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
When we reached Rome, Paul was given permission to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
I did the planting, Apollos the watering, but it was God who made the plants grow.
I did the planting, Apollos the watering, but it was God who made the plants grow.
Like an expert builder, I laid a foundation, as God commissioned me to do, and now someone else is building upon it. But let everyone be careful how he does so.
Like an expert builder, I laid a foundation, as God commissioned me to do, and now someone else is building upon it. But let everyone be careful how he does so.
For no matter how many guides you may have in the Christian life, you will not have many fathers; for in this matter of union with Christ, I became your father, through preaching the good news to you.
For no matter how many guides you may have in the Christian life, you will not have many fathers; for in this matter of union with Christ, I became your father, through preaching the good news to you.
It is through union with him and through his blood that we have been delivered and our offenses forgiven,
It is through union with him and through his blood that we have been delivered and our offenses forgiven,
and in arranging, when the time should have fully come, that everything in heaven and on earth should be unified in Christ??11 the Christ through whom it is our lot to have been predestined by the design of him who in everything carries out the purpose of his will,
and in arranging, when the time should have fully come, that everything in heaven and on earth should be unified in Christ??11 the Christ through whom it is our lot to have been predestined by the design of him who in everything carries out the purpose of his will,
and how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe; like the mighty strength
and how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe; like the mighty strength
he made us, dead as we were through our offenses, live again with the Christ. It is by his mercy that you have been saved.
he made us, dead as we were through our offenses, live again with the Christ. It is by his mercy that you have been saved.
with perfect humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another lovingly.
with perfect humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another lovingly. Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the tie of peace.
Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the tie of peace. There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope that belongs to the summons you received.
There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope that belongs to the summons you received.
For it is under his control that the whole system, adjusted and united by each ligament of its equipment, develops in proportion to the functioning of each particular part, and so builds itself up through love.
For it is under his control that the whole system, adjusted and united by each ligament of its equipment, develops in proportion to the functioning of each particular part, and so builds itself up through love.
You must lay aside with your former habits your old self which is going to ruin through its deceptive passions.
You must lay aside with your former habits your old self which is going to ruin through its deceptive passions. You must adopt a new attitude of mind,
You must adopt a new attitude of mind, and put on the new self which has been created in likeness to God, with all the uprightness and holiness that belong to the truth.
and put on the new self which has been created in likeness to God, with all the uprightness and holiness that belong to the truth.
and put on the new self which has been created in likeness to God, with all the uprightness and holiness that belong to the truth.
and put on the new self which has been created in likeness to God, with all the uprightness and holiness that belong to the truth. So you must lay aside falsehood and each tell his neighbor the truth, for we are parts of one another.
So you must lay aside falsehood and each tell his neighbor the truth, for we are parts of one another.
You must be kind to one another, you must be tender-hearted, and forgive one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
You must be kind to one another, you must be tender-hearted, and forgive one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Whatever anyone may say in the way of worthless arguments to deceive you, these are the things that are bringing God's anger down upon the disobedient.
Whatever anyone may say in the way of worthless arguments to deceive you, these are the things that are bringing God's anger down upon the disobedient. Therefore have nothing to do with them.
Therefore have nothing to do with them. For once you were sheer darkness, but now, as Christians, you are light itself. You must live like children of light,
For once you were sheer darkness, but now, as Christians, you are light itself. You must live like children of light,
Be very careful, then, about the way you live. Do not act thoughtlessly, but like sensible men,
Be very careful, then, about the way you live. Do not act thoughtlessly, but like sensible men, and make the most of your opportunity, for these are evil times.
and make the most of your opportunity, for these are evil times.
and speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and sacred songs. Sing praise to God with all your hearts;
and speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and sacred songs. Sing praise to God with all your hearts; always give thanks for everything to God our Father, as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ,
always give thanks for everything to God our Father, as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, and subordinate yourselves to one another out of reverence to Christ.
and subordinate yourselves to one another out of reverence to Christ. You married women must subordinate yourselves to your husbands, as you do to the Lord,
You married women must subordinate yourselves to your husbands, as you do to the Lord,
You married women must subordinate yourselves to your husbands, as you do to the Lord,
You married women must subordinate yourselves to your husbands, as you do to the Lord, for a husband is the head of his wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, which is his body, and is saved by him.
for a husband is the head of his wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, which is his body, and is saved by him.
Children, as Christians obey your parents, for that is right.
Children, as Christians obey your parents, for that is right. "You must honor your father and mother"??hat is the first commandment accompanied with a promise??3 "so that you may prosper and have a long life on earth."
"You must honor your father and mother"??hat is the first commandment accompanied with a promise??3 "so that you may prosper and have a long life on earth."
You fathers, too, must not irritate your children, but you must bring them up with Christian training and instruction.
You fathers, too, must not irritate your children, but you must bring them up with Christian training and instruction. You who are slaves, obey your earthly masters, in reverence and awe, with sincerity of heart, as you would the Christ,
You who are slaves, obey your earthly masters, in reverence and awe, with sincerity of heart, as you would the Christ, not with mere external service, as though you had only men to please, but like slaves of Christ, carrying out the will of God.
not with mere external service, as though you had only men to please, but like slaves of Christ, carrying out the will of God. Do your duties heartily and willingly, as though it were for the Lord, not for men,
Do your duties heartily and willingly, as though it were for the Lord, not for men, for you know that everyone, slave or free, will be rewarded by the Lord for his good conduct.
for you know that everyone, slave or free, will be rewarded by the Lord for his good conduct. You who are masters, too, must treat your slaves in the same way, and cease to threaten them, for you know that their Master and yours is in heaven, and that he will show no partiality.
You who are masters, too, must treat your slaves in the same way, and cease to threaten them, for you know that their Master and yours is in heaven, and that he will show no partiality.
and for me, that when I open my lips I may be given a message, so that I may boldly make known the secret of the good news,
and for me, that when I open my lips I may be given a message, so that I may boldly make known the secret of the good news, for the sake of which I am an envoy, and in prison. Pray that, when I tell it, I may have the courage to speak as I ought.
for the sake of which I am an envoy, and in prison. Pray that, when I tell it, I may have the courage to speak as I ought. In order that you also may know how I am, our dear brother Tychicus, a faithful helper in the Lord's service, will tell you all about it.
In order that you also may know how I am, our dear brother Tychicus, a faithful helper in the Lord's service, will tell you all about it. That is the very reason I am sending him, to let you know how I am, and to cheer your hearts.
That is the very reason I am sending him, to let you know how I am, and to cheer your hearts.
for I eagerly and confidently hope that I shall never disgrace myself but that this time as always hitherto, living or dying, I shall do Christ credit by my unfailing courage.
for I eagerly and confidently hope that I shall never disgrace myself but that this time as always hitherto, living or dying, I shall do Christ credit by my unfailing courage. For, as I see it, living means Christ and dying something even better.
For, as I see it, living means Christ and dying something even better.
Take your part in the same struggle that you have seen me engage in and that you hear I am still keeping up.
Take your part in the same struggle that you have seen me engage in and that you hear I am still keeping up.
for what we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love you have for all God's people,
for what we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love you have for all God's people,
and really came to know it, in the form in which Epaphras, my dear fellow-slave, taught it to you. He is my faithful representative as a servant of Christ,
and really came to know it, in the form in which Epaphras, my dear fellow-slave, taught it to you. He is my faithful representative as a servant of Christ,
and really came to know it, in the form in which Epaphras, my dear fellow-slave, taught it to you. He is my faithful representative as a servant of Christ,
and really came to know it, in the form in which Epaphras, my dear fellow-slave, taught it to you. He is my faithful representative as a servant of Christ, and it is he who has told me of the love the Spirit has awakened in you.
and it is he who has told me of the love the Spirit has awakened in you.
by whom we have been ransomed from captivity through having our sins forgiven.
by whom we have been ransomed from captivity through having our sins forgiven. He is a likeness of the unseen God, born before any creature,
He is a likeness of the unseen God, born before any creature,
and through him to reconcile to God all things on earth or in heaven, making this peace through his blood shed on the cross.
and through him to reconcile to God all things on earth or in heaven, making this peace through his blood shed on the cross.
In it, by divine appointment, I became a worker, that I might preach among you the message of God in its fulness??26 that secret, hidden from the ages and generations, but now disclosed to those who are consecrated to him,
In it, by divine appointment, I became a worker, that I might preach among you the message of God in its fulness??26 that secret, hidden from the ages and generations, but now disclosed to those who are consecrated to him,
For I want you to know what a fight I am putting up for you and for our brothers in Laodicea, and for all who do not know me personally,
For I want you to know what a fight I am putting up for you and for our brothers in Laodicea, and for all who do not know me personally,
For I want you to know what a fight I am putting up for you and for our brothers in Laodicea, and for all who do not know me personally,
For I want you to know what a fight I am putting up for you and for our brothers in Laodicea, and for all who do not know me personally,
For I want you to know what a fight I am putting up for you and for our brothers in Laodicea, and for all who do not know me personally,
For I want you to know what a fight I am putting up for you and for our brothers in Laodicea, and for all who do not know me personally,
Take care that nobody exploits you through the pretensions of philosophy, guided by human tradition, following material ways of looking at things, instead of following Christ.
Take care that nobody exploits you through the pretensions of philosophy, guided by human tradition, following material ways of looking at things, instead of following Christ. For it is in him that all the fulness of God's nature lives embodied,
For it is in him that all the fulness of God's nature lives embodied,
when in your baptism you were buried with him, and raised to life with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead.
when in your baptism you were buried with him, and raised to life with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead. Yes, you who were dead through your misdeeds and physically uncircumcised, God raised to life with Christ. He forgave us all our misdeeds,
Yes, you who were dead through your misdeeds and physically uncircumcised, God raised to life with Christ. He forgave us all our misdeeds,
So no one can call you to account for what you eat or drink, or do about annual or monthly feasts or Sabbaths.
So no one can call you to account for what you eat or drink, or do about annual or monthly feasts or Sabbaths.
So no one can call you to account for what you eat or drink, or do about annual or monthly feasts or Sabbaths.
So no one can call you to account for what you eat or drink, or do about annual or monthly feasts or Sabbaths. That was all only the shadow of something that was to follow; the reality is found in Christ.
That was all only the shadow of something that was to follow; the reality is found in Christ. No one can put you in the wrong by persisting in studied humility and the worship of angels, being absorbed in the visions he has seen, and groundlessly conceited over his mere human mind.
No one can put you in the wrong by persisting in studied humility and the worship of angels, being absorbed in the visions he has seen, and groundlessly conceited over his mere human mind.
No one can put you in the wrong by persisting in studied humility and the worship of angels, being absorbed in the visions he has seen, and groundlessly conceited over his mere human mind.
No one can put you in the wrong by persisting in studied humility and the worship of angels, being absorbed in the visions he has seen, and groundlessly conceited over his mere human mind.
No one can put you in the wrong by persisting in studied humility and the worship of angels, being absorbed in the visions he has seen, and groundlessly conceited over his mere human mind.
No one can put you in the wrong by persisting in studied humility and the worship of angels, being absorbed in the visions he has seen, and groundlessly conceited over his mere human mind. Such people lose their connection with the head, from which the whole body through its ligaments and sinews must be governed and united if it is to grow in the divine way.
Such people lose their connection with the head, from which the whole body through its ligaments and sinews must be governed and united if it is to grow in the divine way.
Such people lose their connection with the head, from which the whole body through its ligaments and sinews must be governed and united if it is to grow in the divine way.
Such people lose their connection with the head, from which the whole body through its ligaments and sinews must be governed and united if it is to grow in the divine way. If you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things, why do you act as though you still belonged to the world, and submit to rules like
If you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things, why do you act as though you still belonged to the world, and submit to rules like "You must not handle," "You must not taste," "You must not touch"??22 referring to things that are all meant to be used up and destroyed? This is to follow mere human rules and regulations.
"You must not handle," "You must not taste," "You must not touch"??22 referring to things that are all meant to be used up and destroyed? This is to follow mere human rules and regulations.
Such practices pass for wisdom, with their self-imposed devotions, their self-humiliation, and their ascetic discipline, but they carry with them no real distinction, they are really only a catering to the flesh.
Such practices pass for wisdom, with their self-imposed devotions, their self-humiliation, and their ascetic discipline, but they carry with them no real distinction, they are really only a catering to the flesh.
If, then, you have been raised to life with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are where Christ is, above, seated at God's right hand.
If, then, you have been raised to life with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are where Christ is, above, seated at God's right hand. Fix your thoughts on the things that are above, not on those that are on earth.
Fix your thoughts on the things that are above, not on those that are on earth. For you have died, and your life now lies hidden with Christ in God.
For you have died, and your life now lies hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our true life, shall make his appearance, then you also will appear glorified with him.
When Christ, who is our true life, shall make his appearance, then you also will appear glorified with him. So treat as dead your physical nature, as far as immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed are concerned; for it is really idolatry.
So treat as dead your physical nature, as far as immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed are concerned; for it is really idolatry. It is on account of these things that God's anger is coming.
It is on account of these things that God's anger is coming. And you once practiced them as others do, when you lived that old earthly life.
And you once practiced them as others do, when you lived that old earthly life. But now you too must put them all aside??nger, rage, spite, rough, abusive talk??hese must be banished from your lips.
But now you too must put them all aside??nger, rage, spite, rough, abusive talk??hese must be banished from your lips. You must not lie to one another. For you have stripped off your old self with its ways
You must not lie to one another. For you have stripped off your old self with its ways
You must not lie to one another. For you have stripped off your old self with its ways
You must not lie to one another. For you have stripped off your old self with its ways and have put on that new self newly made in the likeness of its Creator, to know him fully.
and have put on that new self newly made in the likeness of its Creator, to know him fully.
As persons chosen by God, then, consecrated and dearly loved, you must clothe yourselves with tenderness of heart, kindness, humility, gentleness, forbearance.
As persons chosen by God, then, consecrated and dearly loved, you must clothe yourselves with tenderness of heart, kindness, humility, gentleness, forbearance. You must bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has reason to be offended with anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.
You must bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has reason to be offended with anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.
You must bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has reason to be offended with anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.
You must bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has reason to be offended with anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. And over all these put on love, which completes them and fastens them all together.
And over all these put on love, which completes them and fastens them all together. Let the ruling principle in your hearts be Christ's peace, for in becoming members of one body you have been called under its sway. And you must be thankful.
Let the ruling principle in your hearts be Christ's peace, for in becoming members of one body you have been called under its sway. And you must be thankful. Let the message of Christ live in your hearts in all its wealth of wisdom. Teach it to one another and train one another in it with thankfulness, with psalms, hymns, and sacred songs, and sing to God with all your hearts.
Let the message of Christ live in your hearts in all its wealth of wisdom. Teach it to one another and train one another in it with thankfulness, with psalms, hymns, and sacred songs, and sing to God with all your hearts. And whatever you have to say or do, do it all as followers of the Lord Jesus, and offer your thanksgiving to God the Father through him.
And whatever you have to say or do, do it all as followers of the Lord Jesus, and offer your thanksgiving to God the Father through him. You married women must subordinate yourselves to your husbands, for that is your duty as Christians.
You married women must subordinate yourselves to your husbands, for that is your duty as Christians.
You married women must subordinate yourselves to your husbands, for that is your duty as Christians.
You married women must subordinate yourselves to your husbands, for that is your duty as Christians.
Pray for me too, that God may give me an opening for the message, and let me tell the secret of Christ on account of which I am kept in prison
Pray for me too, that God may give me an opening for the message, and let me tell the secret of Christ on account of which I am kept in prison until I can make clear to the authorities why I cannot help telling it.
until I can make clear to the authorities why I cannot help telling it. Use wisdom in dealing with outsiders, making the most of your opportunities.
Use wisdom in dealing with outsiders, making the most of your opportunities.
I am sending him to you for the express purpose of letting you know my circumstances, and of cheering your hearts.
I am sending him to you for the express purpose of letting you know my circumstances, and of cheering your hearts.
So also does Jesus who is called Justus. They are the only ones among the converts from Judaism who have worked with me for the reign of God who have proved a comfort to me.
So also does Jesus who is called Justus. They are the only ones among the converts from Judaism who have worked with me for the reign of God who have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, one of your own number, a slave of Christ Jesus, wishes to be remembered to you. He is always standing up for you in his prayers that you may stand fast, like men of mature convictions, whatever God's will for you may be.
Epaphras, one of your own number, a slave of Christ Jesus, wishes to be remembered to you. He is always standing up for you in his prayers that you may stand fast, like men of mature convictions, whatever God's will for you may be.
Epaphras, one of your own number, a slave of Christ Jesus, wishes to be remembered to you. He is always standing up for you in his prayers that you may stand fast, like men of mature convictions, whatever God's will for you may be.
Epaphras, one of your own number, a slave of Christ Jesus, wishes to be remembered to you. He is always standing up for you in his prayers that you may stand fast, like men of mature convictions, whatever God's will for you may be.
This farewell is in my own hand, from Paul. Remember that I am in prison. God bless you.
This farewell is in my own hand, from Paul. Remember that I am in prison. God bless you.
The Spirit distinctly says that in later times some will turn away from the faith, and devote their attention to deceitful spirits and the things that demons teach
The Spirit distinctly says that in later times some will turn away from the faith, and devote their attention to deceitful spirits and the things that demons teach through the pretensions of liars??en with seared consciences
through the pretensions of liars??en with seared consciences who forbid people to marry and insist on abstinence from certain kinds of food that God created for men who believe and understand the truth to enjoy and give thanks for.
who forbid people to marry and insist on abstinence from certain kinds of food that God created for men who believe and understand the truth to enjoy and give thanks for.
and mutual irritation between people of depraved minds, who are lost to the truth and think of religion only as a means of gain.
and mutual irritation between people of depraved minds, who are lost to the truth and think of religion only as a means of gain.
and our sister Apphia, and our fellow-soldier Archippus, and the church that meets in your house;
and our sister Apphia, and our fellow-soldier Archippus, and the church that meets in your house;
I would have liked to keep him with me, to wait on me in your place while I am in prison for the good news,
I would have liked to keep him with me, to wait on me in your place while I am in prison for the good news,
I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it??ot to mention the fact that you owe me your very self besides.
I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it??ot to mention the fact that you owe me your very self besides.
And get ready to entertain me too, for I hope that I shall be restored to you, in answer to your prayers.
And get ready to entertain me too, for I hope that I shall be restored to you, in answer to your prayers.
Smith
Colos'se,
more properly Colos'sae, was a city of Phrygia in Asia Minor, in the upper part of the basin of the Maeander, on the Lycus. Hierapolis and Laodicea were in its immediate neighborhood.
see Reve 1:11; 3:14 St. Paul is supposed by some to have visited Colosse and founded or confirmed the Colossian church on his third missionary journey.
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After spending some time there, he started out again, and traveled systematically through Galatia and Phrygia, reassuring all the disciples.
It was while Apollos was in Corinth that Paul, after passing through the interior, reached Ephesus. Finding some disciples there,
to the devoted and steadfast Christian brothers in Colossae; God our Father bless you and give you peace.
I can testify how anxious he is about you and the brothers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Remember me to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets at her house. When this letter has been read to you, have it read to the church at Laodicea also, and see that you read the letter that is coming from there.
Watsons
COLOSSE, a city of Phrygia Minor, which stood on the river Lyceus, at an equal distance between Laodicea and Hierapolis. These three cities, says Eusebius, were destroyed by an earthquake, in the tenth of Nero, or about two years after the date of St. Paul's Epistle to the Colossians. Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colosse, were at no great distance from each other; which accounts for the Apostle Paul, when writing to his Christian brethren in the latter of these places, mentioning them all in connection with each other, Col 4:13. Of these cities, however, Laodicea was the greatest, for it was the metropolis of Phrygia, though Colosse is said to have been a great and wealthy place. The inhabitants of Phrygia, says Dr. Macknight, were famous for the worship of Bacchus, and Cybele the mother of the gods; whence the latter was called Phrygia mater, by way of eminence. In her worship, as well as in that of Bacchus, both sexes practised every species of debauchery in speech and action, with a frantic rage which they pretended was occasioned by the inspiration of the deities whom they worshipped. These were the orgies, from ????, rage, of Bacchus and Cybele, so famed in antiquity, the lascivious rites of which being perfectly adapted to the corruptions of the human heart, were performed by both sexes without shame or remorse. Hence as the Son of God came into the world to destroy the works of the devil, it appeared, in the eye of his Apostle, a matter of great importance to carry the light of the Gospel into countries where these abominable impurities were not only practised, but even dignified with the honourable appellation of religious worship; especially as nothing but the heaven-descended light of the Gospel could dispel such a pernicious infatuation. That this salutary purpose might be effectually accomplished, Paul, accompanied by Silas and Timothy, went at different times into Phrygia, and preached the Gospel in many cities of that country with great success; but it is thought by many persons, that the Epistle to the Colossians contains internal marks of his never having been at Colosse when he wrote it. This opinion rests principally upon the following passage: "For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh," Col 2:1; but these words, if they prove any thing upon this question, prove that St. Paul had never been either at Laodicea or Colosse; but surely it is very improbable that he should have travelled twice into Phrygia for the purpose of preaching the Gospel, and not have gone either to Laodicea or Colosse, which were the two principal cities of that country; especially as in the second journey into those parts it is said, that he "went over all the country of Gallatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples;" and moreover, we know that it was the Apostle's practice to preach at the most considerable places of every district into which he went. Dr. Lardner, after arguing this point, says, "From all these considerations, it appears to me very probable that the church at Colosse had been planted by the Apostle Paul, and that the Christians there were his friends, disciples, and converts." The Epistle greatly resembles that to the Ephesians, both in sentiment and expression. After saluting the Colossian Christians in his own name, and that of Timothy, St. Paul assures them, that since he had heard of their faith in Christ Jesus, and of their love to all Christians, he had not ceased to return thanks to God for them, and to pray that they might increase in spiritual knowledge, and abound in every good work; he describes the dignity of Christ, and declares the universality of the Gospel dispensation, which was a mystery formerly hidden, but now made manifest; and he mentions his own appointment, through the grace of God, to be the Apostle of the Gentiles; he expresses a tender concern for the Colossians and other Christians of Phrygia, and cautions them against being seduced from the simplicity of the Gospel, by the subtlety of Pagan philosophers, or the superstition of Judaizing Christians; he directs them to set their affections on things above, and forbids every species of licentiousness; he exhorts to a variety of Christian virtues, to meekness, veracity, humility, charity, and devotion; he enforces the duties of wives, husbands, children, fathers, servants, and masters; he inculcates the duty of prayer, and of prudent behaviour toward unbelievers; and after adding the salutations of several persons then at Rome, and desiring that this epistle might be read in the church of their neighbours the Laodiceans, he concludes with a salutation from himself, written, as usual, with his own hand.
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For I want you to know what a fight I am putting up for you and for our brothers in Laodicea, and for all who do not know me personally,
I can testify how anxious he is about you and the brothers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.