Colossians
New Testament · translated from the Greek
The Messiah is above all: in him all things were created and in him all the fullness dwells. Nothing needs to be added to him: the new life means thinking about the things above and letting his word dwell richly in you.
How it is laid out
Key verses
- Colossians 1:15 — He is the image of the invisible God
- Colossians 3:2 — Think about the things above
- Colossians 3:23 — Work from the soul, as for the Lord
Who wrote it
The letter presents itself as from Paul, with Timothy (1:1), writing as a prisoner (4:18). The authorship is debated.
When it was written
Debated: around AD 60–62, during one of Paul’s imprisonments, or somewhat later.
For whom, and in what situation
The believers in Colossae (1:2), in Asia Minor, who had learned the good news from Epaphras (1:7). Paul answers a teaching with rules about food, festivals and the worship of angels (2:16-23). Tychicus and Onesimus carry it (4:7-9).
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