Introduction to Colossians

Author: Paul states that he is the author in 1:1.
Date: Scholars believe he wrote this letter around 62-63 A.D. from Rome, and sent it and Ephesians with Tychicus (4:7,8).
Location: Colossae was a little town in Asia Minor, about 100 miles east of Ephesus. The church there was founded by Epaphras. Some people think that Epaphras was Paul’s convert from Ephesus; others believe him to be just another brother and servant of Christ. From Philemon 23, it seems like he might have been in prison with Paul in Rome.
Theme: The preemenience of Christ.
Purpose: Paul was writing to the Colossians to encourage them, but also to combat false doctrine that had entered the church. This false doctrine was Gnosticism which believes that that matter and knowledge are separate. All matter is evil, but knowledge is the "ultimate salvation" (Key Word Study Bible). They did not believe in the humanity of Christ because of this thought. They also felt that whatever they did with their body did not matter because the spirit and the body are separate. Paul uses this letter to refocus the Colossian church on the truth.