Colossians 1:1-2

¹Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, ²To the holy and faithful [or believing] brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father [and the Lord Jesus Christ].

Though he had never been to visit the church at Colosse, the believers there undoubtedly knew who Paul was; nevertheless he introduced himself as having authority directly from Jesus Christ Himself. Paul calls himself “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” Now it was also Paul’s will to be an apostle of Christ, but only after the Damascus Road conversion experience, one of the clearest illustrations of monergistic regeneration that you’ll see in the Bible. Paul’s will was to detain and destroy Christians until Christ confronted him. Once Paul experienced Ezekiel 36:25-27, his will was aligned with that of God. And so he announces his authority to proclaim the truths contained within this letter.

That’s a big deal for the Colossians, who were visited by traveling teacher preachers who came with no authority like Paul’s. This ought to remind us of the importance of the authority of Scripture in our own experience. Christians acknowledge the Bible as authoritative. The mark of a Christian is a love for God’s word. We must desire to live under its authority. Calvin said, “The Bible is the scepter by which the heavenly King rules His church.” What is your attitude to Scripture? Oftentimes, our problem is not so much with an interest in the Scripture; we want to hear what it says. But our problem is with a practical denial of its authority in our lives. We accept that it’s the word of God, yet we live in ways that contradict it. We say that it is the authority, but we live as if it is not the authority in our lives. Coram Deo

Also in v1, we learn that Paul is with Timothy at the time of this writing. Timothy’s mention in the introduction is one way in which Paul mentored Timothy, treating him as authoritative before the churches at large. Having his name tied to Paul, Timothy would be all the more prepared to serve as Paul’s successor, at least in some fashion, once Paul was martyred. Even in this small way, Paul is preparing Timothy for future service, just as Moses did with Joshua and Jesus with Peter. Do you have a mentor?

Next in v2, the letter is directed “to the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse.” First, these brothers and sisters in Christ at Colosse were in the midst of the mystery religions and the immorality of the Lycos Valley in their day. Laodicea was only a few miles away, and Paul directs his attention to that congregation in this letter as well (Colossians 2:1; 4:13-16). Laodicea is the church that Jesus calls lukewarm in Revelation 3:14-22. This was not a good place to be from, not a region noted for its orthodoxy or its holiness, and yet here are people who have been called out of darkness into light. God has people even where the light shines very faintly.

Second, these brothers in Christ at Colosse were “in Christ.” The Spirit unites us to Christ and the instrument of that bond of the Spirit is faith. So those who are in Christ trust in Him, they believe in Him, they rest on Him, they flee to Him. This letter is written distinctly, exclusively, to them. Third, these believers are called holy, set apart, and they are called faithful. These words from Paul are true, and they are also a stimulus; even in his introduction, Paul is already encouraging his audience to faithful obedience. A. W. Tozer said, “The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith.” Next, Paul calls them brothers. They are united in the common bond of peace through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). And remember, Paul is not speaking from personal experience of these people. He’d never met them. Paul is setting forth their status. He says, “This is what you are, Christians; now be who you are.” Realize what that means. “You have been made to be faithful, now be faithful.” “You are brothers and sisters in Christ, now act like it.” Paul always places the indicative before the imperative. He says what you are before he tells you what he wants you to do. “Here’s who you are, believer; now live in accordance with what God has made you to be.” That leads us to the blessing:

Finally, Paul greets in his customary way, with a benediction of grace and peace from God – that’s what we all need from Him, not justice and wrath, but grace (undeserved favor) and peace (objective and subjective spiritual peace; not circumstantial but relational). And these come with Paul’s sincere prayer – undeservingly and in spite of our demerit. May we all experience these blessings of Paul’s benediction.