1° The city and Christianity of Colossae. Colossae was a very ancient city in the province of Phrygia, in the southwestern part of Asia Minor. It was built on the banks of the Lycus River, not far from Laodicea and Hierapolis (compare Colossians 2:1 and 4:12-13, where we learn that Epaphras exercised his holy ministry in this threefold region). Herodotus already mentioned it (7:30. Compare Xenophon, Anab. 1, 2, 6) as an important and prosperous city, and Pliny the Elder (Hist. Nat. 5, 32, 41) counts it among the "most famous cities". It suffered greatly from an earthquake that occurred in the year 60 AD (Tacitus, Ann. 14, 27). It was destroyed by the Muslims during the course of the 7th and 8th centuries; later, a fortress called "Chonæ", which still survives under the name Chonas (from the Greek χώναι, funnels, because of the underground openings in which the Lycus is lost at times), was built some distance from the ruins of the ancient city.
On two occasions, at the beginning of his second and third apostolic journeys, Saint Paul had travelled through and evangelized various districts of Phrygia (cf. Acts of the Apostles 16, 6, and 18, 23). However, several passages in our letter assume that he had never been to Colossae, and that he had taken no direct part in the founding of the Christian community that was formed there (see Colossians 1, 3 and 2, 1). Epaphras, who is mentioned at the beginning and end of the letter, is generally regarded as the principal author of this foundation (Colossians 1, 7 and 4, 12-13). Like that of Ephesus, the church of Colossae consisted mainly of converts from paganism (cf. Colossians 1, 21, 27; 2, 13; 3, 6-7). The Jewish element was represented there only in a small proportion (Colossians 2, 11, 14, 16).
2° The occasion and purpose of the letter to the Colossians (For authenticity, see the General Introduction. It was denied in the 19th century by some rationalists. The place and date of composition are clearly determined by the author himself. His friend Epaphras, whose name has just been mentioned, had joined him in Rome and reported to him on the state of Christianity in Colossae. False teachers had infiltrated the ranks of the faithful and were spreading very dangerous errors. On the one hand, they affirmed, like the ancient Judaizers (Colossians 2:2, 16-17, 20 ff., etc.), the necessity of still observing Mosaic law; on the other hand, foreshadowing the perverse doctrines which, a century later, were displayed openly under the pretentious name of Gnosis (Γνώσις, the science par excellence. Cf. Colossians 2:8), they They taught the existence of uncreated angels, through whom man must approach God, even more so than through Jesus Christ (cf. Colossians 2:18). These men were Christians and very likely converts from Judaism. It is not possible, based on the incomplete details this letter provides about them, to reconstruct their system exactly; those who have attempted this reconstruction diverge from one another in the most diverse ways; but it is certain that they should be seen as the forerunners of the future Gnostics. What characterizes the deceivers against whom the apostle will fight also characterizes the first Gnostics: theosophical speculations, excessive worship of angels and spirits, false humility, maintenance of several Jewish practices, fasting and other rigorous austerities, etc. Their theories were borrowed partly from Judaism, partly from the pagan cults of Greece and the Orient.
News of the peril threatening the Colossians stirred Paul's zeal, and he immediately wrote them this letter, initially aiming, in general terms, to strengthen them in the faith and in the practice of Christian virtues, and then, more specifically, to warn them against the errors into which others were trying to lead them. Under these circumstances, it is understandable that these pages are partly polemical.
The letter was entrusted to Tychicus, who was also responsible for delivering those that the apostle had addressed to the Ephesians and to Philemon (cf. Colossians 4:7-9; Ephesians 6:21-22).
3° The topic covered and the division— The central idea of our letter is contained in this simple proposition: Christ is at the head of all things. Not only does Saint Paul here perfectly illuminate the divinity of Jesus Christ, but he also restores, so to speak, to his rightful place the one Redeemer, to whom the heretics of Colossae dared to add other saviors and multiple mediators. It is through Jesus Christ that all things were created; through him alone are humanity regenerated and reconciled with God. His role is truly unique, and Christ is incomparably superior to the highest members of the angelic hierarchy. He is the one who unites all created beings, all heavenly spirits, all humanity, all Christiansin a most harmonious whole. It is therefore to him that one must adhere unshakably by faith, and it is by his life that Paul already believed he was living. This brief overview shows how rich the letter to the Colossians is from a Christological perspective.
After the customary greeting, 1:1-3a, we have the body of the letter, 1:3b-4:1, which is divided into two parts. The first, 1:3b-2:23, is both doctrinal and polemical, while the second, 3:1-4:1, is moral and practical. Then comes the conclusion, 4:2-18. The first part comprises two sections: one didactic, 1:3b-29, which deals with the person and work of Christ; the other polemical, 2:1-23, which refutes the erroneous teachings of false teachers. The second part has two similar sections: 1. Exhortations of a general nature, 3:1-17; 2. Exhortations relating to family life, 3:18-4:1.
4° Relationships of the letter to the Colossians with the Letter to the Ephesians. — The resemblance between these two writings is very striking. It is manifested either in the subject matter, the general arrangement of thoughts, or in a number of identical details and even expressions. Regarding this last point, it will suffice to compare the following passages to get an idea of the affinity between these two letters: Eph. 1:4 = Col. 1:22
= Eph. 4, 29 = Col. 3, 8; 4, 6
Eph. 1, 7 = Col. 1, 14 = Eph. 4, 31 = Col. 3:8 Eph. 1, 10 = Col. 1, 20 = Eph. 5, 5 = Col. 3, 5 Eph. 1, 15-17 = Col. 1, 3-4 = Eph. 5, 6 =Col. 3, 6
Eph. 1, 21-23 = Col. 1, 16, 18-19 = Eph. 5, 19-20 = Col. 3, 16-17
Eph. 2, 1, 12 = Col. 1, 21 =Eph. 5, 25=Col. 3, 19
Eph. 2, 5 = Col. 2, 13 = Eph. 6, 1 = Col. 3:20 Eph. 2, 16 = Col. 1, 20-22 =Eph. 6, 4 =Col. 3, 21
Eph. 3:2=Col. 1:25=Eph. 6:5 ff.=Col. 3:22 ff.
Eph. 3, 8-9 = Col. 1.27 = Eph. 6, 9 = Col. 4, 1 Eph.4, 2=Col. 3, 12=Eph. 6, 18 and ss=Col. 4.2 sec.
Eph. 4.16=Col. 2, 19=Eph. 6, 21-22 =Col. 4, 7-8
Eph. 4, 22-24 = Col. 3, 9-10.
What can we conclude from this list, which we could have lengthened considerably? Shall we say, with the rationalist critics (some of whom claim that the letter to the Colossians is the original, written by Saint Paul, and that the (unknown) author of the Letter to the Ephesians simplified it. Others, on the contrary, argue that the Letter to the Ephesians is authentic, and that it was abridged by the author of the letter to the Colossians. This is how they usually contradict each other (a necessary fact, moreover, when one relies almost exclusively on subjective, and often arbitrary, reasons). Is one of the two letters the work of a forger? Certainly not. A very simple and natural circumstance explains everything. Saint Paul composed his two letters at the same time, since he entrusted them to the same messenger; moreover, the Christian communities to which he addressed them were in the same region and were in roughly the same circumstances; he therefore dealt with related subjects. The mutual dependence of the two writings is thus easily understood.
But, on the other hand, despite these remarkable coincidences, each letter has its own particular originality, both in its overall character and in its details. Thus, to point out just a few features, the tone never becomes polemical in the letter to the Ephesians, whereas it is very strongly so in chapter 2 of the letter to the Colossians. In Ephesians 1:3-14, the thanksgiving is general and focuses on the blessings brought to the world by the Christianity ; Colossians 13-8, it is particular and relies on the excellent conditions in which they were Christians of Colossi. Nothing, or almost nothing, personal in the Letter to the Ephesians, which is not the case for the other letter. Above all, the subject matter is fundamentally different, since, in the Letter to the Ephesians, it is about the Church and its splendor, while the letter to the Colossians speaks more about the person and work of Christ.
Chapter 1
Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ
1 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and his brother Timothy, 2 To the saints who are at Colossae, our faithful brothers in Christ: may grace and peace may they be upon you from God our Father.
Faith and charity Christians from Colossae
3 We continually give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in our prayers for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Jesus Christ and your charity towards all the saints, 5 in view of the hope laid up for you in heaven, which you have learned about through the gospel of truth. 6 It has come to you, and to the whole world, bearing fruit and gaining ground, just as it has been among you since the day you heard it and knew the grace of God in truth, 7 according to the instructions you received from Epaphras, our beloved companion in God’s service and near you, the faithful minister of Christ. 8 It was he who taught us your purely spiritual charity.
Redemption through the Blood of Jesus
9 Therefore, since the day we were informed, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask God to give you a full understanding of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 to live lives worthy of the Lord and to please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, 11 strengthened in every way by his glorious power, to endure all things with patience and joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light, 13 delivering us from the power of darkness, to transport us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 By whose blood we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus, True God and True Man
15 He is the image of the invisible God, born before all creatures 16 For in him all things were created, things in heaven and things on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things subsist. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 for God was pleased that all the fullness should dwell in him 20 and through him he desired to reconcile to himself all things, things on earth and things in heaven, by doing peace through the blood of his cross.
God reconciled you through the death of his Son.
21 You too, who were once far from him and enemies in your thoughts and evil deeds, 22 He has now reconciled you through the death of his Son in his physical body, to present you holy in his sight, without spot or blemish, 23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and firm in the hope given by the gospel which you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
The Church is the body of Christ
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to the afflictions of Christ for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I was appointed minister for the purpose of the office God gave me among you, to fully proclaim the word of God, 26 the mystery hidden for centuries and past generations, but now revealed to its saints, 27 to whom God has chosen to make known to the Gentiles the glory of this mystery which is Christ, in whom you have the hope of glory. 28 It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing all people and teaching them with all wisdom, so that we may make everyone perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 That is why I work and fight according to the strength He gives me and which acts powerfully within me.
Chapter 2
In Jesus, the Fullness of Divinity
2 1 I want you to know what battles I am fighting for you, for the people of Laodicea, and for all those who have not seen me with their eyes, so that their hearts may be comforted. 2 and that being closely united in charitythat they may be enriched with the full conviction of the mind and know the mystery of God, of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will deceive you with subtle arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, I am with you in spirit, glad to see the good order that reigns among you and the firmness of your faith in Christ. 6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened by the faith as you were taught, and making progress in it, with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone deceive you with philosophy and deceptive teachings, according to human tradition and the elementary principles of this world, and not according to Christ. 9 for in him dwells bodily the whole fullness of divinity, 10 In him you have everything in full, he who is the head of every principality and power,
Resurrected with Him through Baptism
11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands, by the circumcision of Christ, by putting off the body of flesh. 12 Having been buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him in baptism through your faith in God’s resurrection from the dead. 13 You who were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made alive with him, after forgiving us all our trespasses. 14 He destroyed the written document that was written against us and contrary to us with its ordinances; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
Jesus conquered demons through his Cross
15 He stripped principalities and powers and boldly put them on display, triumphing over them by the cross. 16 Therefore let no one condemn you in regard to food and drink, or in respect of a festival, a new moon, or a Sabbath, 17 This is only a shadow of things to come, but the reality is found in Christ. 18 Let no man cause you to lose the prize in combat through mere pretense.humility and the worship of angels, while he wanders in things he has not seen and is puffed up without reason by the thoughts of the flesh, 19 without clinging to the head, from whom the whole body, through its ligaments and joints, is sustained and grows by the growth that God gives it. 20 If you died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as though you still lived in the world, do you submit to its regulations? 21 Don't take it. Don't taste it. Don't touch it. 22 All these things lead to corruption through the very use to which they are put. These defenses are merely human precepts and teachings. 23 They have some appearance of wisdom with their voluntary worship, their humility and their contempt for the body, but they are without real value and serve only to satisfy the flesh.
Chapter 3
Kill Lust and Greed
3 1 Since then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 for you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Therefore, put to death your members, the members of your earthly nature: fornication, impurity, lust, all evil desires and covetousness, which is idolatry., 6 all things that draw God's wrath upon the sons of unbelief, 7 among which you too once walked, when you lived in those disorders.
Becoming a New Man
8 But now you too must put them all away: anger, rage, and malice. Let slander and filthy language be banished from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have robbed the old man of his works. 10 and put on the new man, who is constantly renewed according to perfect science, in the image of the one who created him. 11 In this renewal there is no longer Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian or Scythian, slave or free man, but Christ is all in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, and mercy.humilityof gentleness, of patience, 13 Bear with one another and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against another. As the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. 14 But above all, dress in charity, which is the link to perfection 15 and that peace of Christ, to whom you were called so as to form one body, reign in your hearts. Be thankful, 16 let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, so that you may teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, with grace in your hearts pouring out to God in songs, psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Doing everything in the name of Jesus
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Each will receive according to their actions.
21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 You, servants, obey your earthly masters in everything, not for the sake of appearances or to please men, but with sincerity of heart, in the fear of the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly, as to the Lord and not to men., 24 knowing that you will receive from the Lord as a reward the heavenly inheritance. Serve the Lord Jesus Christ 25 because he who commits injustice will receive according to his injustice, and there is no partiality.
Chapter 4
Persevere in Prayer
4 1 Masters, render to your slaves what justice and equity require, knowing that you also have a master in heaven. 2 Persevere in prayer, and bring vigilance to it with thanksgiving. 3 Pray for us at the same time, that God may open a door for the word and that I may thus proclaim the mystery of Christ for which I am also in chains 4 and to make it known as I must speak about it. 5 Conduct yourselves with prudence towards those who are outside the Church, knowing how to take advantage of circumstances. 6 Let your speech always be kind, seasoned with salt so that you know how to answer everyone.
Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark
7 As for me, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister, my fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you everything. 8 I am sending it to you specifically to inform you of our situation and to comfort your hearts. 9 He is accompanied by Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. 10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings, as does Mark, Barnabas' cousin, about whom you have received instructions. If he comes to you, welcome him.
Epaphras fights for you in his prayers
11 Jesus, also called Justus, greets you. These are the circumcised, and among those of the circumcision, they alone are co-workers for the kingdom of God; they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, greets you, servant of Christ. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may persevere in doing all things God wills with all conviction. 13 for I can testify to him that he is working very hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luc, the beloved physician, sends his greetings, as does Demas. 15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 16 When this letter has been read in your house, have it read also in the church of Laodicea, and have you in turn read the one that will come to you from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus, «Consider the ministry you have received in the Lord so that you may fulfill it well.» 18 This greeting is in my own hand, Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Notes on the Letter to the Colossians
1.1 Timothy was then with Paul in Rome. Perhaps it was he who wrote the letter at the Apostle's dictation (see Colossians 4:18).
1.2 To the saints. See Acts of the Apostles, 9, 13.
1.6 In truth relates to known : according to true information (verse 7), as opposed to the errors of false teachers.
1.7 In the service of God. See Colossians 4:7. Epaphras He was from Colossae and one of the first to preach the Gospel in that city. He was imprisoned with Saint Paul in Rome.
1.8 All spiritual ; that is to say, produced solely by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
1.9 With all wisdom, etc., or with all wisdom ; by giving you all wisdom, etc.
1.11 By the power of his glory, For its glorious power. We have already noted that the Hebrews, as well as the Greeks and the Latins, frequently used the noun instead of the adjective, to give more force to the expression.
1.13 The power of darkness, of Satan. ― The Kingdom of the Son of his love, of his beloved Son, as opposed to the hated kingdom of Satan.
1.16 See John 1:3.
1.18 See 1 Corinthians 15:20; Revelation 1:5.
1.19 To the Father. The context proves that these words are implied. See verse 12.
1.24 The Passion of Jesus Christ, considered in itself, has nothing imperfect about it, nothing that needs to be made up for. The Savior perfectly accomplished the work of reconciliation, and he gave up his spirit on the cross only after saying that all was finished. But if we consider it in relation to humanity, it is different. Jesus Christ, in suffering for us, did not claim to exempt us from suffering, from bearing our cross, from expiating our sins through penance; since, on the contrary, he made it a commandment for us. Thus, Saint Peter warned us that the Savior suffered to give us an example, so that we might follow in his footsteps (see 1 Peter, 2, 21). We can therefore say in this sense that there is still something for Jesus Christ to suffer, not in his person, but in his members.
1.26 The mystery, the plan to redeem fallen humanity through Jesus Christ.
1.27 What are the riches of glory? messianic, of the glorious reign, of eternal beatitude, of this mystery, contained within this mystery (compare to the hope of the Gospel, verse 23), fruit of the incarnation and death of the Son of God, which the faithful have now in hope, and which they will actually possess after the second coming of Jesus Christ.
2.1 Those who have not seen my face in the flesh ; That is to say, those who don't know my face, who have never seen me. Laodicea, so named after Laodice, wife of Antiochus II, king of SyriaLaodicea was a city in Asia Minor, in Phrygia, on the Lycus River, west of Colossae and south of Hierapolis. It was a major trading center. Around the time Saint Paul wrote to the Colossians, Laodicea had suffered greatly from an earthquake.
2.5 See 1 Corinthians 5:3.
2.8 The elements of the world. See Galatians 4:3. According to the tradition of men. See Matthew 15, 2. ― Philosophy The thing being discussed here is probably theosophy of Jewish origin, mixed with all kinds of oriental superstitions, which was especially widespread in Phrygia and which the people called philosophy.
2.10 Fill him. See Ephesians 3:19.
2.11 Saint Paul does not say that Jesus Christ did not receive the circumcision of the flesh; he only says that the circumcision that this divine Savior requires of us is a spiritual circumcision, which consists in the cutting off of our disordered affections, our criminal inclinations and our bad habits, as the whole context proves.
2.12 In baptism, in which, etc. According to others: And in which (Jesus Christ), etc. ; but this construction seems less natural.
2.13 See Ephesians 2:1.
2.16 The Apostle means that no one should give the Colossians cause for concern regarding certain observances of Mosaic law, claiming that they are obligatory for Christians.
2.18 See Matthew 24, 4. ― The worship of angels. Since their return from captivity, some Jews, curious to know better the angelsDistinguishing them by their names and functions, they even went so far as to worship them superstitiously. Thoughts of his flesh ; That is to say, carnal thoughts.
2.19 From the increase of God ; that is, the increase that God gives them.
2.20 To the elements of this world. See Galatians 4:3.
2.22 Who perish, or which cause death ; which seems less in keeping with the context.
3.5 See Ephesians 5:3.
3.6 The Sons of Unbelief ; Hebraism, for the unbelievers.
3.7 Among them ; that is to say among the threads of unbelief ; or, according to others: In these things, these disorders ; which forms a tautology that is far too shocking.
3.8 See Romans 6:4; Hebrews 12:1; 1 Peter 2:1; 4:2.
3.9 The old man, natural man, as he descends from Adam, with original sin, and inclined to evil (see Romans, 6, 6; Ephesians, 4, 22).
3.10 See Genesis 1:26. Which renews itself, etc.; that is to say, one who is constantly renewing and perfecting himself daily in the knowledge of God and his will in order to fulfill it. According to the image, etc. Through this continual renewal, the Christian becomes like his perfect and divine model, Jesus Christ, in whose image he was newly created.
3.11 For the Jews, the world was divided into Jews and Greeks or pagans ; For the Hellenes or Greeks, the world was divided into Greeks and barbarians, the barbarians referring to those who did not speak Greek. ― The Scythian is named as occupying the lowest rank among the barbarians.
3.15 In a single body ; as all forming a single body, or according to others, but in a less authorized manner by the terms of the Greek and the Vulgate: To form a single body.
3.16 Singing in thanksgiving. See Ephesians 5:19-20.
3.17 See 1 Corinthians 10:31.
3.18 See Ephesians 5:22; 1 Peter 3:1.
3.20 See Ephesians 6:1.
3.21 See Ephesians 6:4.
3.22 See Tite2:9; 1 Peter 2:18.
3.25 See Romans 2:6.
4.2 See Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
4.3 See Ephesians 6:19; 2 Thessalonians 3:1.
4.5 See Ephesians 5:15. Those who are outside. See 1 Corinthians 5:12.
4.7 Tychicus. See Acts of the Apostles, 20, 4.
4.9 Onesimus is the slave of Philemonwhich is mentioned in the letter from Saint Paul to the latter.
4.10 Orders ; That is to say, recommendations, letters of recommendation. Aristarchus. See Acts of the Apostles, 19, 29. ― Marc. See Acts of the Apostles, 12, 12.
4.11 Jesus, who is called Righteous, different from Justus of Corinth (see Acts of the Apostles, 18, 7); he later became bishop of Eleutheropolis.
4.12 Filled with all the will of God ; that is to say, filled with the knowledge of all things, etc. Cf. Colossians 1:8. ― Epaphras. See Colossians 1:7.
4.13 Laodicea. See Colossians 2:1. Hierapolis, an important city in Phrygia, northwest of Colossae, famous for its mineral waters and for a mephitic cave called Plutonium.
4.14 See 2 Timothy 4:11. Luke the evangelist. ― Demas, One of Saint Paul's collaborators was with him in Rome during his captivity, but later abandoned him; see 2 Timothy, 4, 10.
4.15 Nymphas He was probably from Laodicea and an important person, since the faithful gathered in his house.
4.17 In the Lord. This expression is rendered by some as: Through the Lord, through the Lord, through the Lord ; by others: Before the Lord, in the Church of the Lord ; and by others: For the LordThe first interpretation seems to us the most probable. — Archippus was a deacon in Colossae and was probably part of the household of PhilemonHe later suffered martyrdom in Chones and the Greek Church celebrates his feast day on November 23.
