Interpretation of the Epistle to the Colossians of the Holy Apostle Paul

Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria gained experience in explaining the Holy Scriptures when, as a rhetorician of the Great Church, he instructed the people. Most of his written interpretations arose at the request of the Greek Empress Maria, whom he calls his pious patron. These works became an outstanding synthesis and transposition of the established patristic traditions, primarily the heritage of the Antiochian theological school and St. John Chrysostom. As a rule, the author presents abbreviated versions of extensive interpretations of the ancient Church Fathers, borrowing only what is necessary for understanding the text. The commentary also includes his own explanations, which often concern disputes with heretics, especially later ones, and issues of dialogue with the Latins. Thanks to his clear, concise presentation and clear semantic emphasis, his commentaries were accessible to a wide range of readers, became widespread and had a significant influence on both Byzantine and Western European theology. In his “Commentary on the Epistle to the Colossians of the Holy Apostle Paul” (4 chapters), Blessed Theophylact emphasizes the special significance of the letters of the Apostle Paul, written by him in prison. He points out that ap. Paul considered his imprisonment an honor, urging believers not to be overwhelmed by adversity, but to see the glory of Christ in it. The author names the main reason for writing the message - the spread of ungodly teachings: the path to God the Father lies not through the Son, but through angels. The Colossians considered it “ludicrous” to believe in the appearance of the Son of God in the last days, when in the Old Testament everything was accomplished through angels. In addition, they observed many Jewish and Hellenic customs, including special days, times and foods. All of Paul's letters are holy, but especially those that he sent while in prison: he sent them like a general during a battle, completely confident of victory. And Paul himself thought it great and glorious. For when he writes to Philemon, he says: “Whom I begot in my bonds” (Phil. 1:10). He said this so that we would not be overwhelmed by disasters; but rather considered them an honor. There are many such epistles: to the Ephesians, to Philemon, to Timothy, to the Philippians, and this one to the Colossians - all of them were written in bonds. Just as he wrote to the Romans and Jews without having seen them, so he writes to the Colossians without having seen them first. Among them were Philemon and Archippus, to whom, it seems to me, even some kind of Church was entrusted. And he writes to the Colossians on the following occasion: some ungodly teaching arose among them: they thought that they were brought to God the Father not through the Son, but through angels, considering it absurd to believe that in the last days the Son of God appeared, while in the Old Testament everything was accomplished through angels. Moreover, they observed many Jewish and Hellenic customs, observing the days, times and dishes. All this, of course, required correction and prompted the apostle to write this letter. You might be interested in: