In our text this week the Apostle Paul is writing to the church in Colosse. Although at this time he was under house arrest, Paul was anything but idle, choosing instead to make use of his 2 year incarceration by writing several letters to churches in the Roman Empire. It appears that Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon were all penned at this time. Paul writes Colossians to correct a theological problem in the church. It seems that the folks there had been confused over some teaching that we sometimes call proto-gnosticism. It was a heresy of the early church that put an emphasis on ceremonialism, asceticism, angel worship, and secret knowledge while at the same time depreciating the supremacy of Christ. In the letter we find some of the strongest affirmations of the deity and all sufficiency of Christ. Paul has several friends in Colosse. Some of whom we are familiar with from other letters and some of them are new to us. Tychicus and Onesimus carry the letter back to Colosse to be distributed to the other towns in the area. Onesimus has a history in Colosse since he had escaped slavery from Philemon's household. The letter of Philemon fills in the details. It is intriguing that Paul is sending him back home; a reformed renegade. Epaphras is with Paul. He founded the Colossian church and probably is the one who has told Paul of the theological trouble in Colosse. He is working hard on their behalf and praying for their spiritual maturity. Paul has a rather cryptic instruction for Archippus to complete the work he received in the Lord. This could mean a number of things but it is likely that Paul is prompting him to carry on with something Paul has instructed him to do but is unwilling to mention publicly. Perhaps there is some unfinished reconciliation work between Philemon and Onesimus that needs to take place. Some of the lessons on friendship from Colossians: - Christians Have a Wide Circle of Friends - We Need to Cultivate Friendships - The Deepest Friendships Are Forged in Difficult Times