Paul’s letter to the Colossians was written to the church at Colossae, about 110 miles east of Ephesus. Paul had learned about some false teachers in Colossae who were insisting that to know God, people must have a proper understanding of certain “prin­cipalities and powers.” Furthermore, these teachers de­manded that the believer must be circumcised and obey specific rules about foods and religious festivals.

Paul opposed these teachers by saying that Jesus Christ is able to give salvation all by Himself. Nothing else is needed. And the ritual demands of the Mosaic law are no longer valid. Only in union with Christ do people have any hope of salvation.

Paul spells out just what this teaching means in daily life in the last part of Colossians—for husbands, wives, slaves, and others.

Paul ends the letter by saying: “I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Re­member my chains. Grace be with you.” (Colossians 4:18, NIV).