Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
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John Chrysostom
AD 407
It would be wise to explain how we have discovered the occasion and subject of this epistle as we have considered it. What, then, are they? The Colossians used to approach God through angels; they followed many Jewish and Grecian observances. Paul is correcting these practices.
Holy indeed are all the Epistles of Paul: but some advantage have those which he sent after he was in bonds: those, for instance, to the Ephesians and Philemon: that to Timothy, that to the Philippians, and the one before us: for this also was sent when he was a prisoner, since he writes in it thus: for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak. Colossians 4:3-4 But this Epistle appears to have been written after that to the Romans. For the one to the Romans he wrote before he had seen them, but this Epistle, after; and near upon the close of his preaching. And it is evident from hence; that in the Epistle to Philemon he says, Being such an one as Paul the aged Philemon 9, and makes request for Onesimus; but in this he sends Onesimus himself, as he says, With Onesimus the faithful and beloved brother Colossians 4:9: calling him faithful, and beloved, and brother. Wherefore also he boldly says in this Epistle, from the hope of the Gospel which you heard, ...