Colossians

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A New Testament letter traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul, addressed to the early Christian community in the ancient city of Colossae in Phrygia
2. An epistle in the Christian scriptures written to encourage believers in Colossae and to counter false teachings circulating in their congregation
3. A biblical book consisting of Paul's correspondence with the church at Colossae, emphasizing the supremacy of Christ and offering guidance on Christian living

Etymology: Colossians is the name of a New Testament epistle, and the name itself is the plain record of an address. The letter was written to the Christian community at Colossae, a city in the Lycus Valley of Phrygia in western Asia Minor, and "Colossians" is simply the Latin "Colossenses," meaning "the people of Colossae." The Greek title, "Pros Kolossaeis," follows the same pattern, naming the recipients in the same way that Paul's letters to the Romans, Corinthians and Ephesians are named after their readers. The city's own name is older and more obscure. Colossae appears in classical Greek sources and was a notable town in antiquity, though by the time of the letter it had declined in importance relative to nearby Laodicea and Hierapolis. Its name is not clearly traceable to a known Greek root, and scholars have proposed several pre-Greek or Anatolian origins without reaching agreement. The English form entered the language through the Latin Vulgate tradition and Early Modern Bible translation, and the modern spelling reflects that Latinised route rather than any direct transmission from Greek speech.