A pastoral letter to a congregation he didn’t start to discuss big issues and heresies they were facing. That’s what we see in the book of Colossians.
Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.
Colossians 2:8 (CSB)
St. Paul writes this letter to the congregation because they were being led astray. The “Colossian Heresy” is not specifically identified, but we see some of the teachings that St. Paul is addressing. They include (based from the reference at the bottom):
- The inferiority of Christ // That Christ was not “all sufficient” // The He may not have been fully divine
- The elevation of “philosophies” not built on Christ.
- Legalistic observation of Jewish traditions as well as dietary and festival laws.
- Worshipping of angels and other lesser spirits.
- Asceticism and the view of the physical body as “evil.”
- Claim to special insight to truth rather than the apostles of Scripture.
St. Paul wasn’t going to let that go.
What God says in His Word is for a reason. He gave us His precious Words for us to know and follow. Pure doctrine matters. We don’t get to pick and choose what we like. We don’t get to follow the teachers we like, regardless of if they are being faithful to Him and His Word.
Sound familiar?
There is much to hear, learn, digest, live, and teach here for us, just as for our brothers and sisters in Colossae.
Today we will look at some of the background to this important letter and book and see why the issues St. Paul brought up with that congregation apply to us as well.
“Lord, forgive us when we do not take Your precious, inerrant Word and Will to heart and compromise what You say in our hearts and lives. Help us to mind our doctrine and teaching closely as ones who want to follow You fully and truly. Thank You for the all-sufficient love and sacrifice given to us through Your Son, Jesus. It is in Him only we have salvation. In His precious name do we pray; amen.”
SEE: Martin, M. (2003). Colossians, Letter to The. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (pp. 319–320). Holman Bible Publishers.
Scriptures
- Colossians 1:1-2
