Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
This letter begins with the exact same greeting as 2 Corinthians. Note that the author describes himself as an “apostle” which literally means emissary, someone who is sent. Of course, in Christianity it had already come to have its particular meaning of someone specially chosen by God. Paul generally uses this address when he wants to assert his authority and counter false teaching. In such cases he wants to stress that his authority comes from God and is based on his being chosen by Christ.
Timothy we’ve met before, for he is often cited in greetings alongside Paul. Timothy may have served as Paul’s secretary, but here he’s referred to as a brother. The point also is that Paul’s ministry consists of a group of people and is a collaborative effort. This is reinforced by the author using the word “brothers” again in reference to the Colossians. Onesimus, whom we met in Philemon, is also described as a brother later in the letter. Many scholars think that Timothy is the real author of the letter. According to Acts he was from Lystra and had a Jewish mother and Greek father. Since he had a Jewish mother, Paul had him circumcised. Interestingly enough, Timothy is never mentioned again in the letter.
In verse 2, the word usually translated as saints can also mean “holy ones”. They are the members of the church in Colossae. Unlike in several other letters, the word “church” does not appear here. The saints and faithful of Colossae are “in Christ” which suggests belonging to the body of Christ. Of course, this is a major Pauline idea. Those who are committed to Christ, belong to his body and together form a holy community.
Finally, “grace and peace” are used throughout Paul’s letters although their use is particularly short here. As we’ve already seen on other letters, this greeting combines the usual Greek greeting of grace with the usual Hebrew one of peace. Marcus Maxwell points out that these aren’t empty words but “lie at the heart of the gospel. God has shown grace – undeserved favor – and called all people to respond to his gift of salvation by putting their faith in Jesus Christ. Such faith brings peace, for the long-standing breach between God and his creatures has been healed.”
Some scholars see Colossians as a letter about doctrine and that the greeting to the “faithful brothers and sisters of Colossae” is meant to exclude some. However, it makes more sense that he’s writing to all the church at Colossae: those he considers in error and those he doesn’t. They are all saints, not because of their doctrine or because they live perfect lives or because of the depth of their understanding of God. They are saints because they are in Christ Jesus, and maybe this something we all need to remember.
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