Commentary on the Epistle to the Colossians (Unabridged‪)‬

Accordingly, not long after this Epistle was written, three Churches of great renown perished by a mournful as well as horrible occurrence—a bright mirror truly of divine judgment, if we had but eyes to see it. The Colossians had been, not indeed by Paul, but with fidelity and purity by Epaphras and other ministers, instructed in the gospel; but immediately afterwards, Satan had, with his tares, crept in, (Matt. xiii. 25,) according to his usual and invariable manner, that he might there pervert the right faith.