It was from Epaphras that Paul learned of the dangers that threatened the spiritual life of this church. Another gospel had been brought to them by misguided teachers. That the latter were Jews appears from the fact that they taught that the Mosaic ordinances should be observed. They also taught that angels had a part in the work of creation and redemption and should be worshiped. The question of leading interest before the mind of this church was how to attain sanctification, and the solution proposed by these teachers was the use of ascetic practices and the disregard of the body. The design of this letter was to correct these false teachings.
