Bible Cities: Colosse
Colosse in Easton's Bible Dictionary
or Colosse, a city of Phrygia, on the Lycus, which is a
tributary of the Maeander. It was about 12 miles above
and near the great road from Ephesus to the Euphrates,
consequently of some mercantile importance. It does
that Paul had visited this city when he wrote his
letter to the
church there (Col. 1:2). He expresses in his letter to
(ver. 1:22) his hope to visit it on being delivered
imprisonment. From Col. 1:7; 4:12 it has been
Epaphras was the founder of the Colossian church. This
afterwards fell into decay, and the modern town of
Chonum occupies a site near its ruins.
Colosse in Fausset's Bible Dictionary
Colosse properly Colossae. A city on the Lycus, an affluent
of the Maeander. To the Christians there was addressed
Paul's epistle, before he had seen their face (Colossians
2:1; Colossians 1:4; Colossians 1:7-8). Epaphras probably
founded the Colossian church (Colossians 1:7; Colossians
4:12). Colosse was ethnologically in Phrygia, but
politically then in the province of Asia. On the site of the
modern Chonos. The foundation of the church must have been
subsequent to Paul's visitation, "strengthening in order"
all the churches of Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18:24), for
otherwise he must have visited the Colossians, which
Colossians 2:1 implies he had not. Hence, as in the epistle
to the Romans, so in the epistle to Colosse there are no
allusions to his being their father in the faith, such as
there are in 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 3:10; 1
Corinthians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:1.
Probably during Paul's "two years" stay at Ephesus,
when "all which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord
Jesus" (Acts 19:10; Acts 19:26), Epaphras, Philemon
(Philemon 1:2; Philemon 1:13; Philemon 1:19), Archippus,
Apphia, and other natives of Colosse (which was on the high
road from Ephesus to the Euphrates), becoming converted at
Ephesus, were subsequently the first preachers in their own
city. This accounts for their personal acquaintance with,
and attachment to, Paul and his fellow ministers, and their
salutations to him. So as to "them at Laodicea" (Colossians
2:1). He hoped to visit Colosse when he should be delivered
from his Roman prison (Philemon 1:22; compare Philemon
2:24). The angel worship noticed in Colossians 2:18 is
mentioned by Theodoret as existing in his days.
A legend connected with an inundation was the ground
of erecting a church to the archangel Michael near a chasm,
probably the one noticed by Herodotus. "The river Lycus,
sinking into a chasm in the town, disappears under ground,
and, emerging at five stadia distance, flows into the
Maeander" (Colossians 7:30). Two streams, one from the N.
the other from the S., pour into the Lycus, both possessing
the power of petrifying. The calcareous deposits on the
plants, and obstructions which the stream met with,
gradually formed a natural arch, beneath which the current
flowed as Herodotus describes; the soft crust was probably
broken up by an earthquake. In the 4th century the council
of Laodicea (in the same region) in its 35th canon
prohibited calling upon angels.
EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS: written by Paul during
Colosse in Hitchcock's Bible Names
Colosse in Naves Topical Bible
A city of Phrygia
Colosse in Smiths Bible Dictionary
more properly Colos'sae, was a city of Phrygia in Asia Minor,
in the upper part of the basin of the Maeander, on the Lycus.
Hierapolis and Laodicea were in its immediate neighborhood.
Col 1:2; 4:13,15,16 see Reve 1:11; 3:14.
St. Paul is supposed by some to have visited Colosse
and founded or confirmed the Colossian church on his third
missionary journey. Ac 18:23; 19:1
Colosse in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE
ko-los'-e (Kolossai, "punishment"; the King James Version
Colosse): A city of Phrygia on the Lycus River, one of the
branches of the Meander, and 3 miles from Mt. Cadmus, 8,013
ft. high. It stood at the head of a gorge where the two
streams unite, and on the great highway traversing the
country from Ephesus to the Euphrates valley, 13 miles from
Hierapolis and 10 from Laodicea. Its history is chiefly
associated with that of these two cities. Early, according
to both Herodotus and Xenophon, it was a place of great
importance. There Xerxes stopped 481 BC (Herodotus vii.30)
and Cyrus the Younger marched 401 BC (Xen. Anab. i.2,6).
From Col 2:1 it is not likely that Paul visited the place in
person; but its Christianization was due to the efforts of
Epaphras and Timothy (Col 1:1,7), and it was the home of
Philemon and Epaphras. That a church was established there
early is evident from Col 4:12,13; Rev 1:11; 3:14. As the
neighboring cities, Hierapolis and Laodicea, increased in
importance, Colosse declined. There were many Jews living
there, and a chief article of commerce, for which the place
was renowned, was the collossinus, a peculiar wool, probably
of a purple color. In religion the people were specially
lax, worshipping angels. Of them, Michael was the chief, and
the protecting saint of the city. It is said that once he
appeared to the people, saving the city in time of a flood.
It was this belief in angels which called forth Paul's
epistle (Col 2:18). During the 7th and 8th centuries the
place was overrun by the Saracens; in the 12th century the
church was destroyed by the Turks and the city disappeared.
Its site was explored by Mr. Hamilton. The ruins of the
church, the stone foundation of a large theater, and a
necropolis with stones of a peculiar shape are still to be
seen. During the Middle Ages the place bore the name of
Chonae; it is now called Chonas.
Colosse Scripture - Colossians 1:2
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at
Colosse: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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