Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2009
The letter addressed to the Christian Chruch in Colossae speaks to a definite situation of Christianity in Asia Minor. This situation is not known to us from direct reports, but has to be inferred from hints and allusions within the letter. Though an absolutely certain result cannot be attained in every respect, nevertheless a sufficiently clear picture emerges. From the polemical argument carried on in the second chapter of the letter one can gather a whole series of catch-words and themes which were used by a group that worked their way into the congregation and offered it a new teaching. What sort of a teaching was it, and why does it present such a dangerous threat to a congregation which wants to remain true to the apostolic Gospel?
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