Faith & Reason Nexus

AUTHOR: Paul

TIME WRITTEN:
Between A.D. 60-61, during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome

POSITION IN THE BIBLE:

• 51st Book in the Bible
• 12th Book in the New Testament
• 7th out of 21 Epistle Books (Romans to Jude)
• 8th of the 13 books written by Paul

CHAPTERS: 4
VERSES: 95
WORDS: 1,998

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT COLOSSIANS:

• Colossians is one of the four “Prison Epistles” written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome, alongside:
• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Philemon
• The Colossian church was founded by Epaphras, and Paul had not visited Colosse by the time he wrote the letter.
• Tychicus and Onesimus, a converted slave, delivered the letter to the Colossians.
• While Ephesians concentrates on the Church (the Body), Colossians highlights Christ (the Head).
• Colossians is focused on Christ, with frequent references to:
• Christ: 19 times
• Christ Jesus: 3 times
• Lord: 8 times
• Lord Jesus Christ: 2 times
• He, Him, His: 30 times
• Whom: 4 times
• Firstborn: 2 times
• The head: 2 times
• The Son: 1 time
• Master: 1 time
• Paul intended for the letter to be read to other congregations in the vicinity of Colosse (Colossians 4:16).
• The epistle contains 55 Greek words that are unique to this book and not used in Paul’s other writings.
• The city of Colosse:
• Was situated approximately 100 miles east of Ephesus
• Was part of the Seven Churches of Asia
• Was a major commercial center known for its shiny black wool

Key Verse:
“Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” — Colossians 2:12