Colossians 1:1 - Meaning and Application

The opening of this letter is much the same as the others, but a few things stand out.

Paul calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. An apostle was a leading messenger in Christ’s kingdom, directly chosen by Christ and given special gifts for the work. His task was especially to plant churches and to confirm Christian teaching. Paul does not point to his own merit, strength, or ability, but to God’s free grace and good pleasure. Because God had appointed him, he felt bound to do all he could in that office.

He joins Timothy with himself in the greeting, which shows Paul’s humility. Paul sometimes calls Timothy his son (2 Timothy 2:1), but here he calls him his brother. This is a good example for older and more well-known ministers to treat younger and less-known workers as brothers, with kindness and respect.

He calls the Christians at Colosse saints and faithful brothers in Christ. All true Christians are brothers and sisters to one another, because they share a close bond and owe each other love. Toward God, they are to be saints, that is, people set apart for his honor and made holy by his grace. They are to bear his image and aim at his glory. In both these respects, as saints before God and as brothers and sisters to one another, they must be faithful. Faithfulness belongs to every part of Christian life, and it is its crown and beauty.

The blessing he gives is the same as usual: grace and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. He asks that they receive God’s free favor and all the good fruits that come from it. He prays for every kind of spiritual blessing, and that these would come from both the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, together and each in his own way, as in the earlier letter.