Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

First, I want to say thank you for your participation in the Thursday Bible study. Whether you participate each week or just periodically, your reading and engaging with these writings is valuable. It is my prayer that we are growing together in knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ. Your questions and thoughts on the studies are always welcome.

I began these writings from the Pastor’s Desk in the spring of 2020 as the COVID pandemic changed our world. Since then, through studying Ephesians and 1 Timothy I have written over 200 study posts. All of these posts are still available on the website and can be searched using the tags.

Last week we concluded our series on the book of 1 Timothy. It is my prayer you were blessed by studying the book of 1 Timothy. It is a rich book filled with teachings on both doctrine and practical living. But with that study concluded, it is time to begin a new study and prayerfully hope we receive new blessings.

Today, I am thankful to announce the next series from the Pastor’s Desk will be a study of Colossians.

Why Colossians?

The church at Colossae was under attack from false teachers who were denigrating the deity of Jesus; they were teaching that He was not actually God. Though Paul had never been to the church itself, he addressed these issues head-on. The nature of Jesus Christ as Creator and Redeemer was nonnegotiable, so Paul wrote to them that he might bring his wisdom to bear on this difficult and trying situation. It was critical to him that this church know God in His greatness and glory, rather than the deficient view given them by the false teachers (Colossians 1:25; 2:1–2).

Background of Colossians

In AD 60–61, during his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul penned this letter to the Colossian church after he had received a report that they were struggling with a christological heresy. The report came from Epaphras, likely the leader of the church at Colossae and a convert of Paul’s from his more than two-year ministry in Ephesus. Epaphras had come to Rome in part to serve Paul during his imprisonment (Philemon 1:23) but also to confide in him regarding the dangerous teachings the Colossians were hearing. So Paul sent this letter, along with the letters to Philemon and to the Ephesians, with Tychicus, accompanied by Onesimus (Colossians 4:7; Philemon 1:10–12). Tychicus was a coworker of Paul who would have been able to help the Colossian believers understand and apply the apostle’s teachings in the letter.

The congregation at Colossae was one of three congregations in the Valley of Lycus. The other congregations were at Laodicea and Hierapolis. The Apostle Paul sent letters both to Colossae and Laodicea and asked the congregations to exchange the letters. Only the letter to Colossae is preserved for our study.

It is my hope and prayer that you will be blessed as we study the book of Colossians.

Brother Jeremiah