The Argument of the Epistle of S. Paul to the Colossians

The Epistle to the Colossians is not only in sense, but almost in words also, all one with the Epistle to the Ephesians, and was sent also by the same messenger Tychicus. ch. 4. v. 7. And in it he maketh like mention of his bands and sufferings. ch. 1. v. 24. and ch. 4. v. 3,18. And therefore no doubt it was written at Rome at the same time, to wit, in his last apprehension, yet before he knew of his martyrdom.

This difference there is, that he had himself preached to the Ephesians, but with the Colossians he had never been, as he signifieth ch. 2. v. 1. Therefore although in matters of exhortation he be here briefer than the Ephesians, yet in matters of doctrine he is longer. And generally he assureth them, that to be the truth, which their Apostle Epaphras had taught them, namely he giveth them warning both of the Judaical False-apostles, who sought to corrupt them with some ceremonies of Moyses law: and also of the Platonic Philosophers, who rejected Christ (who is in deed the head of the Church and Mediator to bring us to God) and instead of him, brought in certain Angels more excellent than he, whom they termed Minores dij, teaching the people to sacrifice unto them (calling that, humility) that they might bring them to the great God. With which falsehood the heresy of Simon Magus a long time deceived many, as we read in Epiph. hær. 21.

Against such therefore S. Paul telleth the Colossians, that Christ is the Creator of all the Angels, God in person, the head of the Church, the principal in all respects: that he is the Redeemer, Mediator, and pacifier between God and men, therefore by him we must go to God, so that whether we pray ourselves, or desire any other in earth or in heaven to pray for us, all must be done (as the Catholic Church in every Collect doth) Per Christum dominum nostrum, that is, through Christ our Lord. or, per Do. nostrum Iesum Christum filium tuum, qui tecum vivit & regnat, &c. Whereby the Church professeth continually, against such seductions, both the Mediatorship, and the Godhead of Christ.