Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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COLOSSIANS, LETTER TO THE

Written by St. Paul while he was in prison, probably in Rome or at Ephesus. The Church at Colossae, on the Lycus, was founded not by Paul but by Epaphras, yet Paul wrote to the converts there to teach them about the primacy of Christ, head of the Church and Redeemer of mankind. Faith in Christ delivers believers from the false wisdom of the world and vain observance. This letter anticipated the centuries-old conflict that the Church would have with Gnosticism.