Christianity In The Lycus Valley
CHRISTIANITY IN THE LYCUS VALLEY
COLOSSIANS 1:1-2
How faithful are you?
The letter to the Colossians was sent from Rome to the Lycus Valley in the old Phrygian region of Asia Minor. To speak of the Lycus Valley is to think of three centers whose fortunes were largely intertwined: Laodicea and Hierapolis, both important and wealthy cities, and the more ancient town of Colossae whose former glory was now eclipsed by its neighbors (see 2:1; 4:13,16). Probably Colossae was the smallest center to which Paul wrote a letter.
The apostle’s earlier letters are addressed formally “to the church ...” or “to the churches” (see 1 and 2 Thessalonians; Galatians). In Colossians, the address is to the saints and brothers and sisters. This can hardly be accidental. In each instance Paul is writing to churches where he was personally unknown (see 2:1). The naming of those Paul is writing to as “saints [God’s holy people] and faithful brothers and sisters” permits a more personal and less official greeting to a people with whom Paul had become acquainted only through oral report (1:4,9). The absence of personal contact between Paul and the church also explains the qualification of the term “apostle” with the important phrase “by the will of God.” Paul intends to instruct the believers concerning the character of Christian truth and the salvation they enjoy. The opening lines establish both his authority to do so and his openness to his readers.