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The letter was probably written by Paul at Rome during his first imprisonment there ([[Acts 28]]:16, 30), probably in the spring of [[AD 57]], or, as some scholars think, [[AD 62]], and soon after he had written his Epistle to Ephesians.
===Themes and reasons for writing the letteroutline===
Like some of his other epistles (for example, those to Corinth), this seems to have been written in consequence of information which had been conveyed to him of the internal state of the church there by Epaphras (1:4-8). Its object was to counteract false teaching. A large part of it is directed against certain speculatists who attempted to combine the doctrines of Eastern [[mysticism]] and [[asceticism]] with [[Christianity]], thereby promising believers enjoyment of a higher spiritual life and a deeper insight into the world of spirits. Paul argues against such teaching, showing that in [[Christ]] they had all things. He sets forth the majesty of his [[redemption]]. The mention of the "new moon" and "sabbath days" (2:16) shows that [[Gnostic]] ascetics were judging the body of Christ for "eating and drinking" and observing the "feasts, New Moons, and Sabbaths." In response, Paul commands the saints to "let no one judge you...but the body of Christ,", that is, the [[church]] itself.
Like most of Paul's epistles, this consists of two parts: a doctrinal and a practical.
The doctrinal part comprises the first two chapters. His main theme is developed in chapter 2. He warns them against being drawn away from Him in whom dwelt all the fullness of the deity (2:9), and who was the head of all spiritual powers. Christ was the head of the body of which they were members; and if they were truly united to him, what needed they more?
Paul could see that they had grown spiritually because of their love for all the set-apart ones in Christ (1:4 & 8). He knowing this wanted them to grow in wisdom and knowledge that their love might be principled love and not sentimentality (1:9-11). "Christ in you is your hope of glory!" (1:27)
The practical part of the epistle (3-4) enforces various duties naturally flowing from the doctrines expounded. They are exhorted to mind things that are above (3:1-4), to mortify every evil principle of their nature, and to put on the new man (3:5-14). Many special duties of the Christian life are also insisted upon as the fitting evidence of the Christian character.
Tychicus was the bearer of the letter, as he was also of that to the Ephesians and to Philemon, and he would tell them of the state of the apostle (4:7-9). After friendly greetings (10-14), Paul bids them to interchange this letter with the one that he had sent to the neighbouring Laodicean Church. (The apocryphal Epistle to the Laodiceans is generally believed to be a forgery based on this instruction.) Paul then closes this brief but striking epistle with his usual autograph salutation.
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