“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,”
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother — Paul's opening asserts apostolic authority but grounds it not in personal claim but in divine will (thelema tou Theou). The title 'apostle of Christ Jesus' (apostolos Christou Iēsou) emphasizes Christ's authorization. Timothy's association (brother, adelphos) suggests collaborative ministry. The joint greeting models the unity emphasized throughout. The letter is simultaneously personal and institutional.
Church Fathers on Colossians 1:1
Holy indeed are all the Epistles of Paul: but some advantage have those which he sent after he was in bonds: those, for instance, to the Ephesians and Philemon: that to Timothy, that to the Philippians, and the one before us: for this also was sent when he was a prisoner, since he writes in it thus: “for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak.” Colossians 4:3-4 But this Epistle appears to have been written after that to the Romans. For the…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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