Colossians Background

Colossae was a small town in ancient Phrygia, located on the Lycus River in southeastern Asia Minor, within modern-day Turkey. It was not a large town, and neighboring Laodicea and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13) were more significant. Paul, in his three missionary journeys, focused his efforts on populous cities and never visited Colossae (Colossians 2:1); instead, it was Epaphras who brought the gospel there (Colossians 1:7). Paul likely learned from Epaphras that the Colossian believers were being troubled by heretical false teachers (Colossians 2:8), which prompted him to write this letter.

The number and extent of similarities between the books of Colossians and Ephesians are unique among the New Testament writings. Some scholars point out that out of 155 verses in Ephesians, 75 appear in Colossians with varying degrees of similarity. The organization and argumentation of these two letters are very much alike. Both begin with doctrinal sections that similarly praise the glory of Christ and the majesty of His will. Both then apply their teachings to personal life and subsequently offer further exhortations concerning human relationships. When discussing Christian living, both letters instruct believers to “put off the old self” and “put on the new self” (Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 4:17). Both letters discuss how Christians should “walk” or “conduct themselves” and emphasize that giving thanks is not only a duty but should also be expressed through praise and singing (Colossians 3:16-17, 4:5-6; Ephesians 5:15-20). The teachings on the relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and masters and servants are very similar, though Ephesians (Ephesians 5:22–6:9) is more detailed than Colossians (Colossians 3:18–4:1). Both letters mention Paul’s imprisonment and his proclamation of the mystery of the gospel (Colossians 4:3-4; Ephesians 6:18-20). Additionally, the sections discussing the apostles being sent to preach the mystery of the gospel are quite similar (Colossians 1:23-29; Ephesians 3:1-13).

Paul was imprisoned for extended periods in Caesarea (Acts 24:27) and Rome (Acts 28:30). It is most probable that he wrote these two epistles during his imprisonment in Rome, roughly between 57-62 AD. He first wrote Colossians, addressing the specific situation and crisis of the Colossian church. Then, he further contemplated the church’s place in God’s will, focusing on the broader church, especially those in the province of Asia Minor, and thus wrote Ephesians to be circulated among the churches. Colossians 4:7-8 and Ephesians 6:21-22 are almost identical, possibly because Paul wrote their conclusions together when he was preparing to send both letters. Tychicus (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21) was likely the messenger who delivered these two letters, along with the personal letter to Philemon.