Colossians 1:1

Colossians 1:1-2. Greeting

1. Paul Paulos. See Acts 13:9. The Apostle probably bore, from infancy, both the two names, Saul(Saoul, Saulos) and Paul. See on Ephesians 1:1, and Romans, p. 8, in this Series.

an apostle Lit., an envoy, a missionary; in the Gospels and Acts always in the special sense of an immediate Delegate from the Saviour; except perhaps Acts 14:14, where Barnabas bears the title. In Romans 16:7 the sense is perhaps more extended; certainly so in 2 Corinthians 8:23 (Greek). It always, however, in N.T. designates at least a sacredmessenger, not excepting Philippians 2:25 (Greek), where see note in this Series. St Paul needed often to insist on the fact and rights of his divinely given apostleship; 1 Corinthians 9:1; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 1:1. See further Ephesians, in this Series, Appendix F.

of Jesus Christ Of Christ Jesus is the better-attested order; an order of our blessed Lord's Name and Title almost peculiar to St Paul, and the most frequent of the two orders in his writings. It is calculated that he uses it (assuming the latest researches in the Greek text to shew right results) 87 times, and the other order 78 times (see The Expositor, May, 1888). The slight emphasis thus laid on the word "Christ" suggests a special reference of thought to our Lord in glory. See further our notes on Romans 1:1.

by the will of God So, in the same connexion, 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1. Lit., by means of the will of God (so too Rom 15:32; 2 Corinthians 8:5; besides the places just quoted). The will of God is regarded as the meansof the Apostle's consecration, because with God to will implies the provision of the means of fulfilment. See Galatians 1:1 for the deep certainty of a direct Divine commission which underlay such a phrase in St Paul's mind. He knewhimself to be "a vessel of choice, to bear the name" (Acts 9:15) of his Lord.

and Timotheus Timothy is thus associated with Paul, 2 Corinthians 1:1 (in the same words); Philippians 1:1; 1Th 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 1:1 (in the same words). The association (which in Philippians begins and ends with the first sentence) is here maintained throughout the opening paragraph, dropping at the words (Colossians 1:23) "whereof I Paul, &c." It is remarkable that Timothy is not mentioned in the contemporary Epistle to Ephesus; an omission probably to be explained by the more public and circularcharacter of that Epistle (see Introd., pp. 41, 42, and Ephesiansin this Series, pp. 24 29), making it more suitable that it should go as from the Apostle of Asia alone.

Timothy is named 24 times in the N.T. See Acts 16:1 for his parentage and early home. For indications of his character as man and Christian cp. 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:10-11; 1Ti 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:4-5, and esp. 2 Timothy 2:19-22. His association with St Paul was intimate and endeared. He appears oftenest in connexion with the Apostle's work in Europe; but he was himself an Asiatic by birth (Acts 16:1), and we last see him as the delegate of St Paul at Ephesus (1 and 2 Tim.).

our brother Lit., the brother. So he is called also 2 Corinthians 1:1; Philemon 1:1. So too are designated Quartus (Romans 16:23), Sosthenes (1 Corinthians 1:1), Apollos (1 Corinthians 16:12). Cp. 2 Corinthians 12:18; Ephesians 6:21; below, Colossians 4:7. Strictly the term is the equivalent of "Christian;" but thus used it has a certain point and speciality, not as denoting an office or position, but known Christian worth and work.