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Colosse: some pictures
There isn't much to see these days of the city Paul knew. There's really just a mound which has never been excavated properly - unlike Hierapolis and Laodicea.
Pictures of Colosse, Hierapolis and Laodicea, the three closely-connected churches of the Lycus Valley. The church in Colosse shared a full-time worker (Epaphras) with the other two, and the last chapter of Colossians directs the Christians to swap "their" letter with another which Paul had sent to Laodicea, so that both churches could read both letters. By the time Paul wrote to Colosse, the city was already declining in importance compared to its local rivals, although for some centuries before it had been an important trading centre. And by the time of Revelation, only Laodicea was singled out by the Spirit in the list of the Seven Churches of Asia.
Sitting on a hill that covers the ruins of Colosse
The hill. Somewhere under there lived Philemon, Onesimus, Epaphras...
Yet another view of the mound containing it all
Hierapolis - or as it's known today, Pamukkale
Key resources on Colossians
Note: Squidoo insist on providing links to these books from Amazon in America, but British users will find that all these titles are available from Amazon UK too. Not to mention Stuart at Wesley Owen in Exeter...
Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon (New Testament Guides for Everyone)
I was at university with this guy. He's now the Bishop of Durham and one of the best Christian theologians and punchiest writers in the Western hemisphere. This is yet another brilliant book - how does he keep doing it?
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009) 
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 44, Colossians-Philemon
More technical but very trustworthy in-depth treatment of Colossians. P.T. O'Brien was one of the theologians who used to write for Paternoster publications, and I always used to look forward to editing his manuscripts; he invariably had something immensely worthwhile to say.
Amazon Price: $31.19 (as of 07/12/2009)
King of Heavan, Lord of Earth: Colossians (Authentic Lifestyle Guides)
Steve Brady, principal of Moorlands, Keswick speaker, occasional Belmont preacher (including Newquay 2007), Liverpudlian, and perpetrator of some of the worst jokes ever told at Belmont Chapel... Solid, invigorating and upbuilding stuff.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians (The new daily study Bible)
Barclay's Daily Study Bible, with its clear little summaries, electrifying stories, illuminating word pictures and challenging applications, has been a world best seller for many years, and you hardly have to read a paragraph to work out why. Amazingly helpful material, whether you read it daily or use it as a commentary on Colossians. This volume is actually one of his best.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
The Message of Colossians and Philemon: Fullness and Freedom (Bible Speaks Today)
Dick Lucas, famed Bible teacher, evangelist and Rector of St Helen's Bishopsgate, produces a solid, insightful piece of work as ever.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
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Online resources for studying Colossians
- The Colossian Heresy
- What was the Colossian heresy? A careful and detailed study - a little bit technical, but perfectly understandable.
- Mark Copeland
- Study guide to Colossians, chapter by chapter, by Mark A. Copeland. Simple and clear - and very helpful.
- The background to Colossians
- Very thorough examination of the background to Colossians, including strong arguments for authenticity.
- Early Christian Writings: Colossians
- A more sceptical view of who wrote Colossians - but he does fairly give the arguments on both sides, even if (I think) his conclusion is too despairing:"My position is, thus, that the authenticity of Colossians is a matter over which reasonable people may disagree."
- Colossians links
- Some useful Colossians links, including audio versions, a good sermon by the fabled Ray Stedman, and even the whole text in Serbo-Croat...
- Jamieson, Fausset and Brown
- One of the all-time classic commentaries on Colossians
- Wikipedia on Colossians
- Internet encyclopedia Wikipedia provides a workmanlike summary of the key features of Colossians. Brief but excellent.
- Constable on Colossians
- Dr Thomas Constable's notes on Colossians in PDF form. Includes a verse-by-verse commentary, and runs to 54 pages plus references.
- Epaphras
- A study of Epaphras, who probably planted the Lycus Valley churches, by 19th century Scots preacher Andrew Bonar.
- J. Hampton Keathley III
- A commentary on Colossians 1 and 2; the author died before he could complete the book, but what he's left is valuable.
- The Lycus Valley churches
- Ten-page densely-packed booklet in PDF format: "The Biblical Cities of Laodicea, Colosse and Hierapolis" by David Padfield.
