Onesimus was among the many visitors that came to see Paul. He was a run-away slave from Colossae. Paul wrote a “letter of recommendation” to his master, Philemon, who was a good friend of Paul. Philemon lived in Colossae. Paul knew the congregation there. He asked Onesimus to return to Colossae and to Philemon. Paul decided to take advantage of the opportunity to write a letter to the church at Colossae. We call it “Colossians”. Tychicus was another one of Paul’s helpers. He asked him to go with Onesimus and deliver the letter to the Colossian church. They would also tell them how Paul was doing (Colossians 4:7-9).
Epaphras was with Paul in Rome (Philemon 23 & Colossians 1:7). He was a Colossian. Epaphras had told Paul about the faithfulness of the Colossian church and Paul was thankful to hear it. He spent much of his letter reminding the Colossians of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. These included the pre-eminence of Christ and salvation through his blood.
Paul was also concerned that the Colossians would turn away from the Gospel (Colossians 1:23). He encouraged them not to let anyone deceive them and cause them to follow man’s doctrine (Colossians 2:8). The fact is that Christians have been buried with Christ in baptism just as Christ died, buried, and was raised from the dead (Colossians 2:12). Since they have been buried with Jesus, they are “dead” in their sins (Colossians 2:13). This means that since their baptism, they are no longer condemned for their sins. Christians are “risen with Christ” (Colossians 3:1) and that’s why they focus on living the Christian life. They “put off” all the evil things they used to be involved with. Everything they do, they do it by the authority of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17), regardless of their social status.
Epaphras was with Paul in Rome (Philemon 23 & Colossians 1:7). He was a Colossian. Epaphras had told Paul about the faithfulness of the Colossian church and Paul was thankful to hear it. He spent much of his letter reminding the Colossians of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. These included the pre-eminence of Christ and salvation through his blood.
Paul was also concerned that the Colossians would turn away from the Gospel (Colossians 1:23). He encouraged them not to let anyone deceive them and cause them to follow man’s doctrine (Colossians 2:8). The fact is that Christians have been buried with Christ in baptism just as Christ died, buried, and was raised from the dead (Colossians 2:12). Since they have been buried with Jesus, they are “dead” in their sins (Colossians 2:13). This means that since their baptism, they are no longer condemned for their sins. Christians are “risen with Christ” (Colossians 3:1) and that’s why they focus on living the Christian life. They “put off” all the evil things they used to be involved with. Everything they do, they do it by the authority of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17), regardless of their social status.