Epaphras’s visit and report about the conditions in Colosse prompted the letter to the Colossians. Although the Colossians had not succumbed (2:1-5), an encroaching heresy was threatening this predominantly Gentile Colossian church (1:21, 27; 2:13). The nature of the “Colossian Heresy” can only be deduced from Paul’s incidental references to it in his refutation in 2:8-23. It was apparently a religious system that combined elements from Greek speculation (2:4, 8-10), Jewish legalism (2:11-17), and Oriental mysticism (2:18-23). It involved a low view of the body (2:20-23) and probably nature as a whole. Circumcision, dietary regulations, and ritual observations were included in this system, which utilized asceticism, worship of angels as intermediaries, and mystical experiences as an approach to the spiritual realm. Any attempt to fit Christ into such a system would undermine His Person and redemptive work.
Jesus is all we need. We do not need Jesus and _____. We are "complete in Him" (Colossians 2:10).
Jason Cicero
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