Preface & Introduction
All scripture will be taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted. This is a study of the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Colossians. It is our aim to present the epistle in a way to bring out the practicality of the book, both to the 1st century readers and to Christians in the 21st century. Also, we want to help our readers to take the teachings and principles of the book and apply them to our day-to-day faith in the Lord Jesus. The Word of God is a living and up to date and will help us live in the present world and live out our faith.
Introduction: The author of the epistle is the Apostle Paul. David Jeremiah, in The Jeremiah Study Bible, gives us these words of introduction:
“The apostle Paul may have never even visited the small town in the Lycus Valley, some 100 miles east of Ephesus in the province of Asia. But at least in one way, his heart was joined to Colossae. That living link had a name: Epaphras.”
What was the background for the establishment of the Lord’s Church in Colossae? As we know, Paul spent a lot of time ministering in Ephesus and the surrounding areas. This was approximately AD 53-56. This is recorded in Acts 19. It appears that Epaphras, a native of Colossae, was a convert of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus and that he brough the message home to share.
A few years ago, I wrote an article in my book, “Renewing Your Mind Spiritually” called “Christians from Colossae” where I wrote about Epaphras.
Even a casual reading of the text will give the reader an insight into the character of Epaphras. Paul uses terminology that we all would like to be described by. Paul calls him a dear fellow servant and a faithful minister in Col. 1:7-8. He is mentioned as one who loved his fellow believers. He is called a servant.
Paul uses a term in Col. 4:12 that should describe all Christians, that of a bond servant. This describes one who serves his master willingly and faithfully. We see Epaphras described as a man of prayer. He is genuinely concerned with the spiritual wellbeing of his fellow believers and is described as laboring fervently for them. His motivation is that they would be made complete in the Lord and stand for Him. He puts into practice the admonition of Paul in 2 Tim. 3:16-18 where faithfully preaching and teaching the Word of God will lead believers to be equipped for service to the Lord Jesus. Col. 4:13 shows that he didn’t just center his efforts in his hometown but was willing to share the Word with those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. May we ever be thankful for this faithful brother.”
