Paul’s Writings: Background and Themes

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Authorship and First Readers
Background and Origin of the Letter
Theme and Purpose of the Letter
Passage Colossians Chapter One Verse 9-20
Works cited

Introduction

Paul was born around the same time as Christ. He was named Saul and later called Paul. He was a Roman from Tarsus, which was home to a university hence Saul received the best education when he was young. His father was of the Tribe of Benjamin; his blood purely Jewish and unmixed. Therefore, Saul was molded in an upright and firm character. He was sent to a Jewish school where he studied law under Gamaliel, after which he returned to Tarsus. Soon after Christ died, he left to the Christianity widespread city of Jerusalem where he embarked on the persecution of Christians. Though Saul had never met this Christ he became a vital element in persecuting Christians and also a vital player in spreading the Gospel of Christ to the nations (Miles, Para 1-3).

Saul was converted on his way to Damascus and later joined the believers in Jerusalem where he faced opposition from both the Jewish leaders and the Christians. Going against the warning of others, he returned to Jerusalem, was captured, and imprisoned where it is believed he wrote most of his epistles.

Authorship and First Readers

The book of Colossians was written by Paul when he was in prison; it is among the four books he wrote while he was imprisoned alongside the epistles to Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. The authorship of the book of Colossians like other epistles is attributed to Paul, but modern scholars have disputed this claim. There may be no concrete reasons why the Pauline authorship to this book should be doubted, for it is quoted repeatedly by the great witnesses of the end of the second century such as the clement of Alexandria (Aherne, Para 4-5).

Moreover, the introduction of the letter authentically claims Paul as the writer. It also depicts a lot of harmony with the book of Ephesians and the thoughts in it are distinctly Pauline. The epistle was addressed to three cities Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis which were situated east of Ephesus. The three were outside the routes Paul followed in his missionary journeys. This is inferred in chapter one: ‘even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,‘

The Christians who were being addressed by Paul in this epistle appear to be gentiles converts from the Phrygian and Greek extraction though a small percentage of Jews lived amongst them for the Jews were scattered in all districts [chapter 1;26-27 and 2;13](Christian classics ethereal library, Para 6-8).

Background and Origin of the Letter

The Colossians were in danger of being misled and of false teachings. As per an extract of heresy, it was regarded as a theosophical and Judaist element, others thought it Gnosticism. An inference from the epistle’s chapter 2; 19, the errorists were still among the congregation for they are described as not holding the head. They had worshiped the law and forgotten the right place Christ held in this supreme Faith. They emphasized its ceremonial requirements and the ordinances of the rabbis and some requirements of the law and adjusted their views to those of the gentiles. In addition, they desired a spiritual existence to be like angels hence neglecting the body. The church in Colossae was highly influenced by the Jewish doctrine which suggested that the law was mediated by angels, and they worshipped angels as mediators between God and man. They recognized not the significance of Christ though they considered him a higher spirit.

Their error was therefore mixing of doctrines and philosophies from different sources that is the Christian notions, heathen speculations, and the Jewish doctrine which was unacceptable by the apostolic systems. After Paul learned of this danger which was a big threat to the spiritual welfare of this church from Epaphras, he wrote this epistle intending to correct the Colossians heresy. The epistle demonstrates the all-sufficient character of Christ’s redemption and his unique vitality. Paul’s basic concern was to warn the Christians against erroneous religious teaching that rather than faith emphasized knowledge (philosophy), which taught salvation through worship of angels and viewed the world as demonic (Christian classics ethereal library, Para 10-12).

Theme and Purpose of the Letter

Paul begins the letter with apostolic blessing, thanksgiving, and prayer for readers. He then describes the pre-eminence of Christ as the head of both spiritual and natural creation. The main theme of the letter to the Colossians was the supremacy of Christ to the angels and other prophets who other doctrines implied as mediators. The firm value of this letter is evident in the pivot teaching, the church of God is perfected in Christ. This is because he is a perfect mediator and completeness of his redemption. He emphasizes that his life is the life of the entire church (Aherne, Para 8-10).

He warns the readers against wrong teachings that dishonored Christ. Paul vigorously denounced the worship of angels as a substitute for Christ. He urged them to believe in one whose person God is incarnate, the crucified and risen Christ. He worked to erase the wrong doctrines that the church had adopted by teaching them the significance of Christ in their lives and their faith. The theme can purely be said to be a warning against being drawn away from the Christ in who dwelt all fullness of the deity (2:9), and who is superior to all other spiritual powers. Paul also focused on helping them to grow in knowledge and wisdom of Christ to make their love for him principled love. “Christ in you is your hope of glory!” (1:27)

Passage Colossians Chapter One Verse 9-20

Paul is praying for the readers of his message that they may get knowledge and wisdom and walk worthy of Christ and bear fruits. He petites that they may be strengthened, endure and persevere in joy. He acknowledged God for the gift of a deliverer and redeemer in whom the believers have been rendered to the kingdom of the son whom he loves, Christ.

Paul also describes the person of our Lord Jesus Christ; he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Indeed, it is through Him all things were created and for Him. He existed before all things and is the beginning of them all for they held together in Him. He refers to him as the head of the church and the firstborn from the dead for he died and rose again. He is the manifestation of God and the revelation of the true character of God, behold all fullness was pleased to dwell in Him. He was sent as a sacrifice to reconcile all things to the Father after the fall of man. This He did by His blood which He shed on Calvary to make peace (World English Bible).

The background, theme, and purpose of the book of Colossians help me understand the above passage more clearly. The practicality of this message in my times is well exposed having known the principle idea of the writer and makes the supremacy of the deity more practical. It authenticates the pre-eminence of Christ as the Head of all creation, both the natural and the spiritual. Also having known the dilemma that church was in the passage becomes more meaningful and the style and language more clear. The background of the letter helps me lay aside all philosophy to allow the word of this passage has a place in me with its real weight of Christ supremacy.

The passage above is very important in this letter both to us and to the first readers. The passage helped them understand why Paul insisted that they would worship Christ rather than what all the other doctrines taught them. It explained the person in whom they were told to believe in and as human being holds more to logic than faith he offered them the opportunity. He goes ahead and describes Christ as the mediator, perfect redeemer where the people grow in and find fulfillment for their needs. He demonstrates the goal of the new creation which is the attainment of fullness which is through Him the head of the body and savior.

To the church of our time, this passage is significant in that we are exposed to what we really believe in, logically through the mind of a scholar full of inspirations from God himself. Philosophy has made many people waver today especially in this era full of technology and easy reach of information, alongside people who no longer have others at heart but are mindful of their own interests.

In conclusion, the understanding of the supremacy of what you believe in and its preeminence gives one the confidence to hold on to it firmly even amidst afflictions or sufferings. Hence the explanation of the preeminence of Christ above all spiritual and natural creation is vital to us today and to the readers of the past.

Works cited

Aherne, Cornelius. “Epistle to the Colossians.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. Web.

Christian classics ethereal library. “The Epistle to the Colossians”, 2005. Web.

Miles Thomas. “Biography on the Apostle Paul”, Pagewise 2002. Web.

Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, worldenglishbible. 2008. Web.

Saldarini Antony. “Epistle to the Colossians”, BELIEVE Religious Information Source, 1997. Web.

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