Most evangelicals identify the author of Colossians (and therefore the writer of Colossians 2:6–7) as the apostle Paul, probably writing with the help or co-sponsorship of Timothy. Here are key points about that author and why evangelicals hold to Pauline authorship, together with a brief note on the verse itself and its pastoral application.
Who the author is (evangelical view)
– Paul the Apostle: The letter opens in the typical Pauline way (Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus), and the body of the letter contains personal details (greetings, references to companions, reference to his imprisonment) that match Paul’s ministry profile.
– Co-sender Timothy: Paul names Timothy with him in the salutation (Colossians 1:1), a common feature in Paul’s prison letters.
– Likely written from prison (traditionally Rome) around AD 60–62 — this is why Colossians is grouped with the “Prison Epistles” (Ephesians, Philippians, Philemon).
Why evangelicals accept Pauline authorship
– Internal claim: The letter claims Paul as author and contains autobiographical material (mentions of co-workers, his chains, personal prayer for the church).
– Early church testimony: Early Christian writers and church tradition attributed the letter to Paul.
– Theological and pastoral continuity: Evangelicals see the central theology (Christ’s supremacy, union with Christ, ethical application) as consistent with Paul’s undisputed letters, even if vocabulary or emphasis differs in places.
– Historical plausibility: Personal connections (Epaphras as the Colossian contact, Tychicus/Onesimus as messengers) fit what we know of Paul’s networks.
Scholarly debate (context)
– Some modern critical scholars raise questions about style, vocabulary, and certain theological emphases and suggest a later follower might have written in Paul’s name. Evangelicals generally weigh these observations but maintain Pauline authorship because of the internal evidence, earliest tradition, and theological coherence.
Context of Colossians and purpose of the letter
– Colossians addresses a church influenced by syncretistic teaching that downplayed Christ’s full supremacy and sufficiency.
– Paul’s purpose: to affirm the preeminence and fullness of Christ (Christ as creator and head of the church), to warn against deceptive philosophies and legalistic practices, and to give practical instruction for Christian living rooted in union with Christ.
Colossians 2:6–7 (sense and pastoral meaning)
– The verse reads in essence: “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him — rooted and built up in him, established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
– Key images:
– “As you received Christ… so walk in him”: faith must lead to ongoing obedient living (continuity between conversion and daily life).
– “Rooted and built up”: spiritual growth described as being rooted like a plant and constructed like a building — both stability and growth.
– “Established in the faith… abounding in thanksgiving”: doctrine and practice go together; a firm grasp of gospel truth produces gratitude and practical holiness.
– Pastoral application from an evangelical standpoint: Keep Christ central; continue in the gospel you received; pursue spiritual growth through rootedness in Scripture, participation in the local church, prayer, and thanksgiving; resist teachings or practices that substitute for the sufficiency of Christ.
If you’d like, I can:
– Provide a verse-by-verse short commentary on Colossians 2,
– Summarize evangelical commentaries on Colossians (e.g., John Stott, F. F. Bruce, or modern evangelical series like NIVAC/Pillar),
– Or outline a small Bible-study plan for applying 2:6–7 in a small group or personal devotions.
