Lesson 1: Salutation Series

1/18/18

Tom Lowe

Lesson 1 Salutation (Colossians 1:1-2)

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-2 (NIV)

1 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{1] in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father{2].

Footnotes:

[1} The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 4:15.

[2} Some manuscripts read “Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Introduction:

Paul had never actually been to Colossae, but he had heard of their faith (1:4, 9){IA.1] and so he has to begin by making clear what right he has to send a letter to the Colossians. He does that in one word; he is an apostle. The word apostle literally means “one who is sent out.” Paul’s right to speak is that he has been sent out by God to be His ambassador to the Gentiles. Moreover, he is an apostle by the “will of God.” That office is not something which he has earned or achieved; it is something which has been given him by God. “You did not choose me,” said Jesus, “but I chose you” (John 15:16). Here, right at the outset of the letter is the whole doctrine of grace. “A MAN IS NOT WHAT HE HAS MADE HIMSELF, BUT WHAT GOD HAS MADE HIM.”

The four Prison Epistles of Paul which include the Epistle to the Colossians have been called the anatomy of the Church because their subjects cover all aspects of the Christian faith. In Colossians our attention is directed to the head of the body who is Christ. The body, the church, is secondary. Instead, Christ is the theme, and Christian living is centered in Him.

[IA.1} “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, . . . For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:4, 9).

Lesson 1

1 PAUL, AN APOSTLE OF CHRIST JESUS BY THE WILL OF GOD, AND TIMOTHY OUR BROTHER,

“PAUL, AN APOSTLE OF CHRIST JESUS BY THE WILL OF GOD”

He begins the letter by giving a description of the office and character of the person from whom the salutation emanates. He says that he is first and foremost an apostle of Christ Jesus; an exalted and important office. An apostle is one sent. It involved incredible thought, overburdening care, incessant toil, unparalleled suffering. Paul was commissioned to declare the grandest truths?truths destined to enlighten and lift up mankind.

“BY THE WILL OF GOD”

Paul traces his apostleship to the “will of God.” The “will of God” is the great originating and dynamic force in the universe. That Will raised Paul to the apostleship, and endowed him with all essential qualifications.

“AND TIMOTHY OUR BROTHER”

Timothy was undoubtedly Paul’s convert, because Paul referred to him lovingly as “son,” “my own son,” “my beloved son,” “my dearly beloved son” (1 Timothy 1:18; 1:2; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Timothy 1:2).

Young Timothy was appreciated by all the brethren{A1.]. He enjoyed an early religious education which was fundamental and sound. He learned the truth from his mother and his grandmother, as well as at the feet of the Apostle Paul. Paul selected him to be his fellow traveler and co-laborer, and gave this testimony concerning him: “He worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do” (1 Corinthians 16:10). And here he recognizes him but on the more equal footing of a “brother,” thus he clearly distinguishes between himself and Timothy, who is a brother and fellow labor, but not an apostle. Christianity is a brotherhood. The equality of Christian brotherhood is based on their common faith and spiritual foundations.

There was a very definite reason why Paul associates Timothy with the Epistle to the Colossians. Timothy was a native of the area where the Colossian church was located (Acts 16:1-30). He had been with Paul when the Apostle preached the Gospel there, and no doubt was well-known to the Colossian people (Acts 16:6). It is true, however, from the manner in which Paul mentions him, that he did not regard him as a fellow apostle, but rather as a co-worker and his son in the ministry. On another occasion, Paul declared that both Timothy and himself preached the same identical Gospel of the Son of God—pure grace?“ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.””(2 Corinthians 1:19).