Colossians 1:1-4:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 1:1-2

I. The inscription of this epistle is much the same with the rest; only it is observable that, 1. He calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. An apostle is a prime-minister in the kingdom of Christ, immediately called by Christ, and extraordinarily qualified; his work was peculiarly to plant the Christian church, and confirm the Christian doctrine. He attributes this not to his own merit, strength, or sufficiency; but to the free grace and good-will of God. He thought... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 1:1

1:1 This is a letter from Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and from Timothy, the brother, to the dedicated people of God and faithful brothers in Christ who are in Colosse. A dedicated Christian cannot write a single sentence without making clear the great beliefs which underlie all his thought. Paul had never actually been in Colosse 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.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ ,.... The apostle puts his name to this epistle, by which he was known in the Gentile world, as he usually does in all his epistles; and styles himself "an apostle", as he was, having seen Christ in person, and received his commission, doctrine, and qualifications immediately from him, with a power of doing miracles to confirm the truth of his mission. This he chose to make mention of, partly because the false teachers everywhere insinuated that he was not an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:1

Paul, an apostle - by the will of God - As the word αποστολος , apostle, signifies one sent, an envoy or messenger, any person or persons may be the senders: but the word is particularly restrained to the messengers of the everlasting Gospel, sent immediately from God himself; and this is what St. Paul particularly remarks here when he calls himself an apostle by the will of God; signifying that he had derived his commission from an express volition or purpose of the Almighty. And... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:1

Verse 1 1Paul an Apostle. I have already, in repeated instances, explained the design of such inscriptions. As, however, the Colossians had never seen him, and on that account his authority was not as yet so firmly established among them as to make his private name (278) by itself sufficient, he premises that he is an Apostle of Christ set apart by the will of God. From this it followed, that he did not act rashly in writing to persons that were not known by him, inasmuch as he was discharging... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 1:1

Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus through God's will, and Timothy the brother ( Ephesians 1:1 ; 2 Corinthians 1:1 ). The apostle designates himself by his office, as always, except in the Macedonian Epistles and the letter of private friendship to Philemon. Timothy shares also in the greeting of the Epistle to Philemon, probably a leading member of the Colossian Church (comp. Colossians 4:9 , Colossians 4:17 with Philemon 1:2 , Philemon 1:10-12 ). During St. Paul's long residence... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 1:1-2

Address and salutation. It is common to compare the Epistle to the Colossians with the Epistle to the Ephesians. Written about the same time (both conveyed by Tychicus), there are many coincidences in thought. But there is this difference—that the thought in this Epistle does not centre round the Church of Christ (the word occurs only twice, as compared with nine times in the Epistle to the Ephesians), but round the Person of Christ. There is also this difference—that this Epistle has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 1:1-2

The apostolic salutation. Pondering this salutation, we ask about it three questions. I. WHAT IT REVEALS ABOUT THE APOSTLE , It indicates: 1. His dignity. "An apostle … by the will of God." This was a title (a) by supernatural visions and experiences, (b) by seals of success. This title was used here, though not in his salutation to all the Churches, because here 2. His condescension. "Timotheus our brother." He was no fellow apostle, yet his brother;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 1:1-2

The salutation. We propose to offer brief hints towards a consecutive exposition of this invaluable Epistle, taking the Revised Version as our text. In this opening sentence we learn four things respecting the writer and his fellow Christians to whom reference is made. I. PAUL 'S CONSCIOUSNESS OF AUTHORITY AS AN APOSTLE . Observe how quietly Paul takes for granted his apostolical authority. Where it was assailed, as at Corinth or in Galatia, be was prepared to defend it.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 1:1-8

The hope laid up in heaven. This Epistle, written from Rome to meet and overmaster the "Colossian heresy," begins with a salutation somewhat similar to those at the beginning of other Epistles. There is the assertion of Paul's apostleship as direct from Christ; there is the statement of the brotherhood of Timothy, and the desire that grace and peace may be the constant portion of the saints and faithful brethren at Colossal. But, having thus started, Paul immediately passes to an account... read more

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