Bible Discussion Thread

INTRODUCTION TO PHILEMON (Part 2):

III. THE HISTORY OF COLOSSAE:

Colossae was a city of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia. It was about 90 miles east of Ephesus. Colossae was in the Lycus Valley along with Laodicea and Hierapolis. The population of Colossae was mostly Gentile but had a large number of Jewish population.

The church at Colossae began during Paul's three-year ministry at Ephesus (Acts Chapter 19). Paul didn't start the church in Colossae, but he spent three years in Ephesus. And you can see why. There was a tremendous amount of ministry going on there. During this three-year period, a man by the name of Epaphras was saved while visiting Ephesus.

The Church at Colossae was established by Epaphras, not Paul ( Colossians 1:5-7). So Epaphras came from Colossae into Ephesus, met Paul, heard him preach, and received Christ. Epaphras goes back to Colossae, and he establishes the church there, not Paul.

Several years after the Colossians church was founded, dangerous heresies began to circulate in it. Epaphras was so concerned about these heresies that he made the long journey from Colossae to Rome were Paul was a prisoner ( Colossians 4:12-13).

IV. THE THEME OF PHILEMON:

The portrayal of the Gospel expressed between Paul and Philemon over Philemon's slave Onesimus.

V. DELIVERED BY:

Philemon was delivered with Colossians and Ephesians by Tychicus who was accompanied by Onesimus ( Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8). Epaphras remained behind in Rome ( Philemon 23). So Epaphras was there with Paul. He didn't go back with the letters. He stayed with Paul. Very interesting!