You may have noticed while reading Colossians that some parts sound very familiar. There are a number of similarities between Colossians and Ephesians. Both letters were written by Paul, probably around the same time.
For instance, chapter 4 of Colossians includes a "household code" of instruction on how wives and husbands, children and parents, and slaves and masters should get along. This is parallel to Ephesians 5:21-6:9.
Likewise, there are many of the same concerns and expressions throughout both books: urging the singing of hymns and psalms (Col. 3:16, Eph. 5:19); a mention of Paul in chains (Col. 4:3; 4:18; Eph. 6:20); an encouragement to make the most of the time (Col. 4:5; Eph. 5:16); and Tychicus being the messenger of both letters (Col. 4:7; Eph. 6:21) These are just a few of the similarities.
What do we make of this? Just that these are concerns so important to Paul that he was led to share them with both churches. What a blessing it is to have the Bible and to be able to receive such spiritual instruction and encouragement from the pen of the apostle nearly 2000 years later!
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