Faith, Love, and Hope: Colossians 1:1-14

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to God's holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

Paul had never been to Colossae. He had never walked its streets, never seen the faces of the believers there. But Epaphras had told him everything.

Colossae—a small city in the Lycus Valley, overshadowed by its neighbors Laodicea and Hierapolis. The church had been planted not by Paul but by Epaphras, who had learned the gospel from Paul in Ephesus.

And now Epaphras was with Paul in Rome, sharing news of the church he loved—and warnings of dangers threatening it.