<P> One of the great themes of the doctrinal section of Colossians is promise of union with Christ through the indwelling life of God the Holy Spirit . For example, Colossians 1: 27, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory ." The Apostle Paul wrote to remind them of this promise and guard them against moving their on going trust from Christ to other philosophies and traditions which did not depend on Christ . </P> <P> As does 1 Corinthians 13, Colossians 1, in early verses, deals with faith, hope and love . While in the case of 1 Corinthians, the love "does not" statements, such as boasting, recall the criticisms of the Corinthians earlier in the book . Colossians is different . Paul looks at the faith, hope and love of the Colossian believers as evidence and validation of their faith experience . In introductory verses, 1: 6--7, Paul states that the fruit seen in them started the day they understood the grace of God in truth . Conduct is a fruit of faith . </P> <P> Colossians denounces ascetic practices or avoiding certain foods because Christ's death put an end to such distinctions . Believers are one in Christ, not divided between circumcised and uncircumcised, slave and free, and so on . He then calls on his audience to fulfill all domestic and social obligations . A striking image of religion by such rules used by Paul is his use of the word "shadows". Some practices in the past may be shadows of what is to come, but Christ is the one who cast the shadow . </P> <P> Colossians does not state with precision what heresies were being faced by the church . There are approximately 44 different theories what the heresies encountered by the church at Colossae were, including a view there was no particular heresy at all but issues typical of those faced by believers . Some argue that it is not merely fasting or feasting or particular area of emotions, conduct or intellect that are denounced but doing them with an independent spirit, not connected to Christ, the head of the body or lack of appreciation of the gospel of grace . </P>

When was the letter to the colossians written