When was Colossians written?
When was Colossians written?
Answer
Throughout his ministry, the apostle Paul not only promoted sound doctrine about Jesus Christ but defended it against ungodly teaching that challenged it. When false teachings started to influence the Christians in Colossae, he wrote a letter to the church in the city. In it, Paul warned, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces a of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8). He wrote Colossians around AD 61 while under house arrest in Rome.
Understanding the evidence for Paul’s authorship of Colossians helps determine when he wrote it. The letter’s introduction reads, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother” (Colossians 1:1). Then, at the end of the first chapter, he adds a personal note: “This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant” (Colossians 1:23b). And at the conclusion of the letter, he informs the Colossians of his own personal circumstances: “I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you” (Colossians 4:18). The internal evidence of the letter not only confirms Paul’s authorship but also points to his imprisonment in Rome as the time of writing.
Paul’s reference to his imprisonment aligns with Luke’s account of the apostle’s ministry in the book of Acts. Luke writes that “Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him” while under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16). It also adds that Paul remained there “for two whole years” and welcomed all who came to visit him (Acts 28:30). At this time of his house arrest, Paul wrote the prison epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Philemon, and Colossians.
The similarities between Colossians and Philemon further support the date of the letter as AD 61. Paul wrote both books during the same imprisonment and sent them with the same letter carriers. Paul refers to Tychicus“a dear brother” who would tell the Colossians “all the news about me.” Tychicus’ traveling companion was Onesimus, “our faithful and dear brother” (Colossians 4:7–9). In Philemon, Paul refers to Onesimus as “my son” and says, “I am sending him, who is my very heart, back to you” (Philemon 1:10–12). Several names also appear in both letters, like Aristarchus, Mark, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas, indicating a shared setting and authorship.
Early church leaders such as Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, and Eusebius consistently affirmed Paul’s authorship of Colossians. They accepted Paul’s setting of house arrest, which supports the AD 61 date of writing. Their unanimous support offers strong historical validation for the letter’s authenticity and historical setting.
An important theme in Colossians is the supremacy of Jesus over and above all non-Christian religions, beliefs, and teachings. To confront error and exalt Jesus, Paul writes, “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1:18). Paul wrote the letter around AD 61 when he was imprisoned for the truth to strengthen the faith of Christians in all generations.