Gr. hagioi (see on Rom. 1:7).

This phrase is in apposition with “saints.” Paul commends the members of the Colossian church for their faithfulness, trustworthiness, and unswerving fidelity.

 See on Eph. 1:1.

More commonly spelled Colossae, a town in Phrygia about 110 mi. east of the seaport Ephesus. In Paul’s time Phrygia was attached to the Roman province of Asia. Colossae was situated on the banks of the river Lycus about 13 mi. (c. 21 km.) from Hierapolis and about 10 mi. (16 km.) from Laodicea. In previous centuries Colossae had occupied a position of considerable importance. Through it the army of Xerxes, the Persian, passed on its way to attack Greece. Xenophon calls it “an inhabited city, prosperous and large” (Anabasis i. 2. 6; Loeb ed., vol. 2, p. 253). But by NT times the population had shrunk to small proportions. For the origin of the church see p. 183.

 See on Rom. 1:7; 3:24.

 See on Rom. 1:7.

 Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the omission of these words. They were apparently added from the parallel passage in Eph. 1:2.