Epistle to the Colossians

A New Testament letter addressed to the Christian community at Colossae, traditionally attributed to Paul. It emphasizes Christ’s supremacy and warns against teachings that would draw the community away from him.

Colossae: An ancient Phrygian city in Asia Minor, near Laodicea and Hierapolis. The letter addresses a Christian community in this city.
Colossian heresy: A scholarly label for teachings opposed in Colossians, whose precise historical form remains disputed. The warning passages respond to practices involving asceticism, visions, and regulations.
Paul the Apostle: An early Christian missionary and letter writer whose work shaped the development of Christianity. The letter names Paul as its sender, though scholars debate his authorship.
Cosmic Christ: A theological understanding of Christ as central to creation and the reconciliation of the cosmos. Colossians gives a prominent early expression of Christ’s relation to all creation.
Pauline epistles: Letters in the New Testament attributed to Paul, including letters accepted as authentic and disputed works. Colossians belongs to this collection of early Christian letters.
Asceticism: A disciplined practice of self-denial intended to pursue spiritual or religious aims. The letter criticizes severe treatment of the body as inadequate for spiritual fullness.
Authorship of the Pauline epistles: The scholarly study of which letters attributed to Paul were written by Paul himself. Colossians is disputed because its style and theology differ from undisputed Pauline letters.
Christ hymn: A poetic or hymnic passage in the New Testament that celebrates Christ’s identity and work. The passage in Colossians 1:15–20 is often studied as an early Christian hymn.
Christology: Theological reflection on the identity, nature, and significance of Jesus Christ. The letter’s account of Christ’s cosmic status anchors its teaching.
Angelology: The study or theological account of angels and their roles. Colossians warns against devotion to angels within the disputed teaching it addresses.

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