Who Wrote Colossians and Who Was It Written To?

Main Answer

Colossians identifies Paul as its writer and names Timothy with him in the greeting. The letter was addressed to the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ at Colossae, a town in the Lycus Valley of Asia Minor.

Paul had probably not founded the congregation personally. Epaphras had brought the Gospel to the area and later reported the church’s faith, love and challenges. Paul writes with apostolic authority while showing deep pastoral concern for believers who had not seen him face to face.

Some modern scholars question whether Paul composed the letter directly, mainly because of its vocabulary and style. The letter’s own claim remains Pauline, and many scholars judge its language and setting to fit Paul’s imprisonment and collaboration with coworkers.

The Writer, Coworkers and First Readers

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother.”

Colossians 1:1, KJV

The greeting gives Paul the title apostle and places his ministry under the will of God. Timothy is called a brother rather than a second author speaking through the whole letter. Paul uses the first person singular when he describes his sufferings, ministry and imprisonment.

The recipients are believers at Colossae, likely a mainly Gentile congregation. Their city stood near Laodicea and Hierapolis. The final greetings show close contact between churches in the valley and connect the letter with people such as Epaphras, Tychicus and Onesimus.

The historical setting and complete argument are explored in this book-length guide to Colossians.

The Extra Study below looks more closely at Paul, the Colossian church and the evidence behind the main authorship discussion.