THE EPISTLE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
Some have thought, that Colosse was a city near to the island of Rhodes; where was placed a large statue called Colossus, and from whence this city took its name. But, it should rather seem, that Colosse was in Phrygia, the lesser Asia, near to the city of Laodicea. And this is certainly more probable, since Paul desires in this Epistle, that it should be read to the Laodiceans (Colossians 4:16).
It appears, from one or two passages in this Epistle, that Paul had never been at Colosse in person, for he saith, that he had not seen their face in the flesh (Colossians 2:1), and had only heard of their faith in Christ Jesus, and love to the saints (Colossians 1:4). But we have reason to bless God the Holy Ghost, for directing the mind of the Apostle, to commit to writing, and cause to be handed to us, so precious a portion of the word of God.
Concerning the date of this Epistle, it is generally supposed posed to have been written about the year 60; nearly at the time as the Epistle to the Philippians; and to have been written at Rome, when Paul was a prisoner there.
The leading object of it, as most plainly appears, was, and is, to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was highly taught concerning his Lord. And he well knew, that the most effectual way, under God the Spirit's teaching, to establish the Church in the faith once delivered unto the saints, must be, in holding up to their view, the Person and glories of Jesus. And, it must be confessed, that he hath done it in this Epistle, most blessedly. Reader! let you and I, as we enter upon the perusal of it, and as we pass through the several Chapter s of it, beg of God the Spirit, who directed the Apostle's pen, to lead and direct our hearts; that, as he saith in one of the Chapter s, we may find Christ in all; and our hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ: in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! Amen.