Colossians 1:2

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ that are at Colossae. Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

The saints and faithful brethren ... Hendriksen pointed out that "The definite article the is omitted before brethren,"[3] indicating that not two classes, but only one class is addressed. As Wesley put it, "Saints refers to their union with God ... brethren refers to their union with fellow-Christians."[4]

In Christ ... at Colossae ... Hayes commented thus:

They were in Christ as surely as they were in Colossae. They had their residence in Colossae and walked about in Colossae; but they had received Jesus in their hearts as Lord, and they also walked in him as they went about their business day by day.[5]

As Barclay said, "Wherever a Christian is, he is in Christ."[6] That is why outward circumstances cannot destroy a Christian. No matter what happens in his environment, to his property, or even to his body, he, through it all, remains safe in Christ Jesus.

Although specifically addressed to the Christians in Colossae, this letter was also intended for the nearby congregations at Laodicea (Colossians 4:16), and in fact for the Christians of all times and places.

[3] William Hendriksen, Colossians and Philemon (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1964), p. 44.

[4] John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (Napierville, Illinois: Alec. R. Allenson, Inc., 1950), in loco.

[5] D. A. Hayes, Paul and His Epistles (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1959, Reprint from Copyright Edition, 1915), p. 369.

[6] William Barclay, The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1975), p. 104.