Editing Epistle to the Colossians (section)

== Content ==
[[File:Codex claromontanus 3 greek.jpg|thumb|The last page of Colossians in the [[Codex Claromontanus]] in the [[Bibliothèque nationale de France]]]]
[[File:TR Colossae site asv2020-02 img06.jpg|thumb|Ruined building in [[Colossae]]]]
[[File:Studies in the Epistles and Revelation (1910) (14797181713).jpg|400px|thumb|Schematic of Colossians, William Brooks Taylor (1910)]]
Colossae is in the same region as the [[Seven churches of Asia|seven churches]] of the [[Book of Revelation]].<ref>Revelation 1-2</ref> In Colossians there is mention of local brethren in Colossae, [[Laodicea on the Lycus|Laodicea]], and [[Hierapolis]]. Colossae was approximately {{convert|12|mi|km}} from Laodicea and {{convert|14|mi|km}} from Hierapolis.

References to "the elements" and the only mention of the word "philosophy" in the New Testament have led scholar Norman DeWitt to conclude that early Christians at Colossae must have been under the influence of [[Epicureanism|Epicurean]] philosophy, which taught [[atomism]].<ref>{{cite book |title= St Paul and Epicurus |url= http://epicurism.github.io/epicurism.info/etexts/stpaulandepicurus.html |year=1954  |publisher= University of Minnesota Press}}</ref> The Epistle to the Colossians proclaimed [[Christ]] to be the supreme power over the entire universe, and urged Christians to lead godly lives. The letter consists of two parts: first a doctrinal section, then a second regarding conduct. Those who believe that the motivation of the letter was a growing [[heresy]] in the church see both sections of the letter as opposing false teachers who have been spreading error in the congregation.{{explain|date=November 2020}}<ref name ="Harris Colossians"/> Others{{like whom?|date=November 2020}} see both sections of the letter as primarily encouragement and edification for a developing church.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hooker |first1=Morna D. |authorlink=Morna Hooker |title=Were There False Teachers in Colossae? |journal=Christ and Spirit in the New Testament: Studies in Honour of Charles Francis Digby Moule |date=1973 |pages=315–331}}</ref>

===Outline===
I. Introduction (1:1–14)
* A. Greetings (1:1–2)
* B. Thanksgiving (1:3–8)
* C. Prayer (1:9–14)
II. The Supremacy of Christ (1:15–23)

III. Paul's Labor for the Church (1:24–2:7)
* A. A Ministry for the Sake of the Church (1:24–2:7)
* B. A Concern for the Spiritual Welfare of His Readers (2:1–7)
IV. Freedom from Human Regulations through Life with Christ (2:8–23)
* A. Warning to Guard against the False Teachers (2:8–15)
* B. Pleas to Reject the False Teachers (2:16–19)
* C. An Analysis of the Heresy (2:20–23)
V. Rules for Holy Living (3:1–4:6)
* A. The Old Self and the New Self (3:1–17)
* B. Rules for Christian Households (3:18–4:1)
* C. Further Instructions (4:2–6)
VI. Final Greetings (4:7–18)
<ref>NIV Bible (Large Print ed.). (2007). London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd</ref>

===Doctrinal sections===
The doctrinal part of the letter is found in the first two chapters. The main [[theme (literary)|theme]] is developed in chapter 2, with a warning against being drawn away from him in whom dwelt all the [[pleroma|fullness]] of the deity,<ref>{{Bibleref2|Colossians|2:9}}</ref> and who was the head of all spiritual powers. {{bibleref2|Colossians|2:8-15}} offers firstly a "general warning" against accepting a purely human philosophy, and then {{bibleref2|Colossians|2:16-23}} a "more specific warning against false teachers".<ref name=alford>Alford, H., [https://biblehub.com/commentaries/alford/colossians/2.htm Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary - Alford: Colossians 2], accessed 19 May 2021</ref>

In these doctrinal sections, the letter proclaims that Christ is supreme over all that has been created. All things were created through him and for him, and the universe is sustained by him. God had chosen for his complete being to dwell in Christ. The "cosmic powers" revered by the false teachers had been "discarded" and "led captive" at Christ's death. Christ is the master of all angelic forces and the head of the church. Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity, the unique agent of cosmic reconciliation. It is the Father in Colossians who is said to have delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.<ref>{{bibleverse ||Colossians|1:12–13|31}}</ref> The Son is the agent of reconciliation and salvation not merely of the church, but in some sense redeems the rest of creation as well ("all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven").<ref>{{bibleverse ||Colossians|1:20|31}}</ref>{{tone inline|date=November 2020}}

=== Conduct ===
The practical part of the Epistle, in chapters 3 and 4, addresses various duties which flow naturally from the doctrinal section. The community members are exhorted to "set their minds" on the things that are above, not on earthly things,<ref>{{bibleverse|Colossians|3:4|CSB}}: [[Christian Standard Bible]] (CSB), 2017</ref> to [[Mortification (theology)|mortify]] every evil principle of their nature, and to put on "a new self".<ref>{{bibleverse|Colossians|3:10|CSB}}: CSB</ref> Many special duties of the Christian life are also insisted upon as the fitting evidence of the Christian character.

Colossians 3:22–24 instructs [[Slavery|slaves]] to obey their masters and serve them sincerely, because they will receive an "inheritance"<ref>New International Version</ref> from God. Colossians 4:1 instructs masters (slave owners) to "provide your slaves with what is right and fair",<ref>New International Version</ref> because God is in turn their master.

The letter ends with a customary prayer,<ref>{{bibleverse|Colossians|4:3-4}}</ref> instruction, and greetings.<ref name ="Harris Colossians">[[Stephen L Harris|Harris, Stephen L.]], ''Understanding the Bible''. Palo Alto: Mayfield. 1985. "Colossians" pp. 337–38</ref>

=== The prison epistles ===
Colossians is often categorized as one of the "prison epistles", along with [[Ephesians]], [[Philippians]], and [[Epistle to Philemon|Philemon]]. Colossians has some close parallels with the letter to Philemon: names of some of the same people (e.g., [[Saint Timothy|Timothy]], [[Aristarchus of Thessalonica|Aristarchus]], [[Archippus]], [[Saint Mark|Mark]], [[Epaphras]], [[Saint Luke|Luke]], [[Onesimus]], and [[Demas]]) appear in both epistles, and both are claimed to be written by Paul.<ref name="colossians">[Survey of the New Testament: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon]</ref>