Colosse Colossians 1:1

As we begin this study in the book of Colossians, let us use our imaginations to picture ourselves inside a Roman prison awaiting trial for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. What would we do, and how would we do it? Would others come to visit us, and if they did, what would they say? These were the circumstances for Paul the apostle as he awaited his appearance before Caesar to whom he had appealed. While he was in the Roman prison, around the year 64 a.d., Epaphrus, the pastor of the church located in Colosse, came to visit him to discuss certain heresies which had arisen in the church. Epaphrus' church in Colosse was more than likely an offshoot of the church in Ephesus which was begun and nurtured by Paul the apostle himself as he stayed with them for over two years. Within the church of Colosse certain heretical sects, namely the Gnostics who denied the deity of Jesus Christ and the Judaisers who promoted works along with faith for salvation, infiltrated and engaged the people and began to spread their false doctrines. The occasion for the writing of these words was to answer Epaphrus' questions, and this letter was also to be read to the churches located in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. This letter was carried by Tychicus who also delivered the letter to the church in Ephesus, and we begin to see what Paul the apostle wrote in chapter one and verse one where we read:

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

The verse begins, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,...” We begin this book with what is known as the typical Pauline greeting. We begin our letters or digital communications by addressing the one to whom we are writing such as: “Dear John” or “Dear Sally”, however, Paul the apostle used the manner in his day. He began with his name “Paul” which in the Greek is “Paulos” and means “small or little”. We know by reading the book of Acts particularly in chapters seven through nine that Paul was also called “Saul” which was his Hebrew name “Saulos” and means “desired”. Paul then provides his office “an apostle” which means “a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders” “of Jesus Christ by the will of God”. It was God's “will” or “what one wishes or has determined shall be done, of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ by commands, precepts, choice, inclination, desire, or pleasure”. It was the Lord God Almighty who chose Paul to be one sent out as his messenger, and the orders from the Lord were to be distributed by him.

The verse goes on to say, “...and Timotheus our brother,” Paul had a companion in many of his journeys, “Timotheus” or “Timothy” which means “honoring God” traveled with Paul and was as a young protege' to him. Paul met Timothy as he went to Derbe and Lystra and became his mentor as he went from city to city sharing the gospel. He refers to Timothy as “our brother” which in this case means “a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection”. The closeness of their relationship is shown by the reference to him at the beginning of this letter.

While we consider Paul's words, let us consider our own names and callings “by the will of God”. If we were writing this letter, what would our name and title be? Would we be as those “sent out” as messengers for the Lord? Would we know what to say to those to whom we are writing? What if we were in prison for sharing the gospel, how would our behavior and attitudes be? So that we may fully engage the words of this book, let us attempt to see these words from two vantage points. The first will be from the perspective of Paul, and the second will be from the perspective of the church members in Colosse. As we study this letter from Paul, let us pray for the Lord to open our eyes not only to the message within this book, but also to the manner in which we are to deliver His word.

Next time we will see more about Colosse to whom Paul was writing, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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