Colossians 1:1-2 — Paul’s Greeting

¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

² To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:  grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

apostle (v.1) — Paul sometimes identified himself as a prisoner or a servant. Here, “apostle” indicates his authority in writing to a group of believers who had never met him. He used the word to mean that he was commissioned by Christ for his ministry.

by the will of God (v.1) — Paul didn’t choose his ministry, nor was he appointed by other men (Romans 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:1; Galatians 1:1, etc.)

Timothy (v.1) — He was with Paul and, perhaps, known to the Colossians. Paul included his name as courtesy — Timothy had no part in writing the letter.

saints (v.2) — God’s own people — those separated to God

faithful (v.2) — in the sense of believing and probably including the idea of steadfastness (in the face of the Gnostic teaching)

in Christ (v.2) — Paul used this phrase in some form 164 times in his letters

grace and peace (v.2) — Paul’s standard greeting, using the Greek (grace) and Hebrew (peace) greetings, but also conveying that God’s undeserved favor and peace were with those who believed.