Colossians Chapter 1 Verses 1,2         

Col 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The attention that we give to a letter is often dependent on who sent us the letter. If a total stranger whom we know nothing about sends us a letter, I dare say that most of the time that letter is quickly thrown in the trash as having no significance. However, if we know who sent us the letter and the reputation of the sender, we are much more likely to take heed to the contents of the letter. Paul in writing this letter to the members of the church at Colosse was most likely well known to them and they were likely to have known his experience of grace.

It would have been a well known fact to the churches of that time that Paul at one time was known as Saul of Tarsus. Moreover, it would have been known that he had been a great persecutor of the church. Saul was a Jew and a Pharisee who was steeped in legalism and had attained to great acclaim among the Pharisees of his day. He had taken it upon himself to persecute the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ and to bring them to Jerusalem and give his testimony against them so that they might be punished, which often was to be put to death. He had letters of authority from the high priest to go to Damascus of Syria and bring bound to Jerusalem any that he found calling upon the name of the Lord. While on that journey, the Lord struck him down with a light brighter than the noon day sun and spoke to him saying, “Saul, Saul why persecutest thou me? The Lord revealed himself to Saul at that time and a great change was made in Saul. Saul’s name was later changed to Paul and he became the great defender of the faith of his time.

Paul, identified himself to the church at Colosse as “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ…” The word, apostle, literally means “one sent forth.” By the meaning of the word, everyone that is a disciple and servant of the Lord and that goes forth by the leadership and direction of the Holy Spirit is an apostle. However, Paul was an apostle who had been called to that “office” by God. As an apostle and like those who were apostles before him, Paul had been given a revelation from God and had been given authority in establishing the early church and in laying the foundation on which the church was built. As an apostle Paul had the authority of God to write the letter to the church at Colosse and give them the instruction that he did.

Paul also made it plain that he was an apostle of “Jesus Christ.” Paul did not take this office upon himself, but was appointed to this office by Jesus Christ. In the scriptures all the names of God give us a description of certain aspects of the attributes and work of God. For instance, in the Old Testament the name “God” as first used was used in connection with the almighty power of God in creation. The name “LORD” in the Old Testament showed forth God as a covenant making, covenant keeping God. Likewise, the name “Jesus” means “Savior” and shows forth to us God’s purpose and work in saving his people from their sins.

The name Christ means “the anointed one.” In the Old Testament there were two classes of people that were anointed. These two classes were kings and priests. Thus, the name Christ refers to that work or office of God as both King of the kingdom of God and High Priest of the house of God. The King has the authority over the kingdom and gives the rules, laws, and ordinances of the kingdom. The High Priest had two primary functions in that the High Priest offered the sacrifice unto God for the sins of the people and the High Priest made intercession on behalf of the people. Christ offered the sacrifice of himself (as the lamb of God) unto God and it was accepted of God. Christ now intercedes on behalf of his people.

Therefore, Paul has pointed out that his writing of that epistle is by the fact that he has been appointed an Apostle by the Savior, King and High Priest to the household of God. His authority derived by Jesus Christ.

“By the will of God…” Additionally Paul points out that his apostleship was not of his choosing, but of God’s choosing. This is true of any God called minister. God does the choosing and calling and the man chosen and called should respond to that call and serve the Lord under the direction and leadership of the Holy Spirit and according to God’s word.

“And Timotheus our brother…” Paul was not alone in the labor and work to the brethren and sisters at Colosse. Timothy was also a servant to the brethren and sisters in this work. For the most part, we find in the book of Acts that usually he had one or more brethren that were actively laboring with him. This sets a pattern for us in our labors that an effective witness usually involves two or more.

“To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse…” When addressing a letter it is better to plainly identify to whom the letter is sent. When I get mail that is only going to a box number, I rarely even bother to open the envelope. Paul plainly identifies to whom this letter is intended. He was sending it to the “saints” at Colosse. The word, “saint,” does not mean a super good and super holy individual who had done great things in the service of God, but rather it means “holy” or “one set apart.” The people to whom Paul is writing had been set apart by God in at least three different ways:

1. They were set apart in election before the foundation of the world: Eph. 1:4 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”
2. They were set apart in the new or spiritual birth: Eph. 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:”
3. They were set apart from the condemnation of sin by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ: Rom. 8:33 “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Moreover, they set themselves apart, when they repented, were baptized and pressed into the church kingdom on earth to become the disciples of the Lord: Matt. 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Those to whom Paul is writing are also called “faithful brethren…” We ask ourselves, “how did Paul know they were faithful brethren?” James said, “show me thy faith without they works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” Truly the only way that we can manifest faithfulness is through our actions. Regardless of what our lips may utter, it is by our actions that we show our faithfulness. These to whom Paul was writing had demonstrated their faithfulness by their actions. They had demonstrated they were faithful children of God through their actions. Plainly, we can see that Paul was writing to born-again children of God. They were “in Christ.”

“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” In every letter that Paul wrote to churches and to individuals, he began each epistle with the salutation of “grace and peace.” Moreover, he ended each of his epistles with the closing statement of God’s “grace.” This was a mark of Paul’s writings. He completely surrounded his writings with the mention of God’s grace. Grace means the unmerited favor of God. If any work or action is required on our part then it ceases to be grace: Rom. 11:6 “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” The following things are some of the things that are said to be by the grace of God and therefore our works or actions are not required:

1. Acts 18:27 “And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:” Thus, our belief is by the grace of God.
2. Rom. 3:24 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” Justification from sin is by the grace of God.
3. Rom. 11:5 “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Election is by grace.
4. Rom. 12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;” The spiritual gifts we possess are by the grace of God.
5. 2 Cor. 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” God’s supplies in the midst of infirmities are by grace.
6. Gal. 1:15 “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,” God’s calling is by grace.
7. Eph. 1:6 “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Being made accepted in Christ is by grace.
8. Eph. 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Redemption and the forgiveness of sins is by grace.
9. Eph. 2:5 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;). The spiritual birth is by grace.
10. Eph. 3:7 “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.” The calling to and the gift of the ministry is by the grace of God.
11. 2 Tim. 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” Our salvation and calling is by the grace of God.

Like grace, peace also comes from God. As individuals we need peace with God; we need peace in the courtroom of our heart and mind and we need peace in the midst of our trials and cares of this life. Peace with God came through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on behalf of our sins so that we now have peace with God. Peace in the courtroom of our heart and mind comes through hearing and believing the gospel truth that Jesus in covenant died for our sins and redeemed us unto God. Peace in the midst of our trials and cares comes through believing the word of God and looking to the leadership and direction of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

“From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Finally, the source of our grace and peace is from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As the word “God” suggests He has almighty power and thus has the ability to deliver us. Next as “our Father” He has the care of a perfect Father for his children. As the “Lord” He is our Master who gives us as his servants our direction and the things we need to be able to serve him in an acceptable way. As “Jesus” he has saved us from our sins. As “Christ” He is our King who reins over us and gives us our government and has dominion over us, and our High Priest who offered the perfect sacrifice unto God for us and who now makes continual intercession for us.