Episode 77: From all of us to all of you

As he often does in his letters, Paul ends his letter to the Colossians by passing along greetings from other people who are with him, as well as sending specific greetings to people in the church to which he writes. We have little to no information about some of the people mentioned at the end of Colossians. But we do know a few things about the first two names on the list, Tychicus and Onesimus (Col 4:7-9), and the situation for Onesimus is a delicate one.
 

What is Chunks: Paul's Letter to the Colossians?

The church in the city of Colossae had recently been founded by one of the apostle Paul's colleagues; he had never met them personally. But he had heard of their faith and of some of the challenges that threatened to undermine that faith, including what seems to be the presence of false teachers who were leading them astray. Paul therefore writes to them from prison, lovingly encouraging them to realize the treasure they already have in the gospel. In so doing, he paints a magnificent and cosmic portrait of the Christ in whom they've already believed, and in whom they've been given a new and transformed nature. His words should help remind believers of every time and place that the Christ we worship is supreme. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages will be read from the New International Version.)