and lictors), not by proconsuls. It had an independent internal government,
the jus Italicum; i.e., the privileges of Italian citizens.
- COLOSSAE or Colosse, a city of Phrygia, on the Lycus, which is a
tributary of the Maeander. It was about 12 miles above Laodicea, and near
the great road from Ephesus to the Euphrates, and was consequently of
some mercantile importance. It does not appear that Paul had visited this
city when he wrote his letter to the church there (Colossians 1:2). He
expresses in his letter to Philemon (ver. 1:22) his hope to visit it on being
delivered from his imprisonment. From Colossians 1:7; 4:12 it has been
concluded that Epaphras was the founder of the Colossian church. This
town afterwards fell into decay, and the modern town of Chonas or
Chonum occupies a site near its ruins. - COLOSSIANS, EPISTLE TO THE was written by Paul at Rome during
his first imprisonment there (Acts 28:16, 30), probably in the spring of
A.D. 57, or, as some think, 62, and soon after he had written his Epistle to
the Ephesians Like some of his other epistles (e.g., those to Corinth), this
seems to have been written in consequence of information which had
somehow been conveyed to him of the internal state of the church there
(Colossians 1:4-8). Its object was to counteract false teaching. A large part
of it is directed against certain speculatists who attempted to combine the
doctrines of Oriental mysticism and asceticism with Christianity, thereby
promising the disciples the enjoyment of a higher spiritual life and a deeper
insight into the world of spirits. Paul argues against such teaching, showing
that in Christ Jesus they had all things. He sets forth the majesty of his
redemption. The mention of the “new moon” and “sabbath days” (2:16)
shows also that there were here Judaizing teachers who sought to draw
away the disciples from the simplicity of the gospel.
Like most of Paul’s epistles, this consists of two parts, a doctrinal and a
practical.
(1.) The doctrinal part comprises the first two chapters. His main theme is
developed in chapter 2. He warns them against being drawn away from
Him in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead, and who was the head
of all spiritual powers. Christ was the head of the body of which they
were members; and if they were truly united to him, what needed they
more?