The Church at Colossae was located in the Lycus Valley in the south-central area of what is now known as Turkey. Founded by a man named Epaphras, it was located about one hundred miles east of Ephesus. Colossae was known for its wool and dye industry. It was located along the trading route from Ephesus to the east and had become a small market town by the time of Paul. Although the town was established in an area prone to earthquakes, the city thrived. But that all changed in A.D. 60. Colossae was hit by an earthquake that most likely destroyed the city. The city is not mentioned in any Christian or pagan writings after A.D. 61 and probably was never rebuilt. The city had a large Jewish population, and the Church was a mixture of both Jews and Gentiles.
Although Paul is not the founder of the Church at Colossae, because he is an apostle to the Gentiles and appointed by God, Paul does have authority over the Church at Colossae. Paul had never been to Colossae and wrote his letter to the Colossians from prison. The Church of Colossae was very dear to Paul. He refers to them as “holy” (set apart by and for God), “faithful” (they were committed to the gospel), and as “brothers” (they are no longer Jews or Greeks, but one spiritual family). The purpose of his letter is to warn the Colossian Church of a false teaching that threatened them. This false teaching denied the central place of Jesus in the gospel message, involved angel worship (2:9-10, 15), mystical asceticism (2:11-14), denied the Trinitarian authority of the Godhead and followed a form of legalism.
There are two main theories as to the origins of this false teaching. Because of their involvement in asceticism, some believe that the heresy was Essene in origin. Others believe that it had its roots in Gnosticism. The worshiping of angels seems to support this. One possible explanation is that the heresy had a Jewish origin and later became part of Gnosticism.
Paul’s concern for the Colossian Church is timeless. False teachings have always threatened the Church. They threaten the Church today. Although the form of false teaching may be different, the dangers are still very real. Today the Church faces dangers from false teachings such as the Prosperity gospel, Mormonism, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Church today also faces assaults from false religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Scientology. This list is not exhaustive but represents the necessity of being grounded in the Truth of the gospel of Christ. These false teachings or false religions denies or minimizes the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul’s lesson to the Colossian Church regarding the centrality and sufficiency of Christ in the gospel is very relevant for today. It is the key to avoid false teaching.
Sources: Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Walter A. Elwell; Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, Vol. 32, New American Commentary, Richard R. Melick, Jr.; Colossians/Philemon, NIV Application Commentary, David E. Garland; Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, Vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary, Max Anders.