Introduction to Colossians

C.Family and social relationships (3:18-4:1)

D.Exhortation to prayer (4:2-6)

VI.Conclusion (4:7-18)

A.The mission of Tychicus (4:7-9)

B.Greetings (4:10-18)

Herodotus describes Colossae as “a great city of Phrygia” strategically located on the main road from Ephesus and Sardis eastward to the Euphrates. 430

Xenophon describes Colossae as a “populus” city, wealthy and large. 400

Cyrus and his army spend seven days in Colossae as he moves from Sardis east to take the throne of Persia. 400

Laodicea founded by Antiochus II who named it for his wife, Laodice 262-246

The regions of Colossae, Hieropolis, and Laodicea become subject to the Pergamenes after the battle of Magnesia. 190

Hieropolis comes under Roman rule after being established earlier in the second century. 129 BC

A sizeable Jewish population lives in the region of Colossae, Hieropolis, and Laodicea. 62 BC

Laodicea receives from Rome the title of a free city 10 BC

In his Geography, Strabo describes Colossae as a small town. Laodicea was then the growing city in the Lycus Valley because of its location, its banking, and its trade of black sheep wool. AD 7-18

A destructive earthquake in the region of Colossae, Hieropolis, and Laodicea AD 17

Jesus’s trials, death, and resurrection Nisan 14-16 or April 3-5, 33

Pentecost 33

Saul’s conversion on the Damascus Road October 34

Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark make first missionary journey. 47-49

Paul and Silas take second missionary journey. 49-52

Paul’s third missionary journey 53-57

Paul’s ministry in Ephesus becomes the nucleus of church planting throughout Asia Minor. 54-56

Paul arrives in Rome. 60

Paul encounters Onesimus, a runaway slave from Colossae. 61

Paul’s letter to the Colossians 61

Paul sends a letter to Philemon, Onesimus’s master. 61

Colossae, Laodicea, and Hieropolis experience a devastating earthquake. 60 or 64