Colosse (Colossae)

Colosse — also called Colossae — is the Phrygian city addressed in Paul's letter to the Colossians. The UPDV mentions it once by name, in the letter's opening, and the surrounding material identifies the man who founded the church there and links it geographically to Laodicea and Hierapolis.

A city of Phrygia

The opening of the letter names the place: "to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ [who are] at Colossae: Grace to you⁺ and peace from God our Father" (Col 1:2). The community is described, just below, as one whose love in the Spirit has been reported back to Paul by a third party: "who also declared to us your⁺ love in the Spirit" (Col 1:8).

Epaphras as their teacher

That third party is Epaphras. The Colossians are said to have learned the gospel from him: "even as you⁺ learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow slave, who is a faithful servant of Christ on your⁺ behalf" (Col 1:7). At the close of the same letter, Epaphras is described as a Colossian himself, and as someone whose prayer life is invested in the church there: "Epaphras, who is one of you⁺, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you⁺, always striving for you⁺ in his prayers, that you⁺ may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God" (Col 4:12). At the time of writing he is in prison with Paul: "Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you" (Phm 1:23).

Linked to Laodicea and Hierapolis

Paul ties Colosse into a small cluster of nearby congregations. He mentions his exertion on their behalf in the same breath as the church at Laodicea: "I would have you⁺ know how greatly I strive for you⁺, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh" (Col 2:1). Epaphras is said to have labored for all three towns of the cluster: "he has much labor for you⁺, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis" (Col 4:13). Laodicea is later named as one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation — "send [it] to the seven churches... and to Laodicea" (Rev 1:11), with the address itself opening "to the angel of the church in Laodicea" (Rev 3:14).