Colossians 1:1 - Exposition

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 at Ephesus Timothy was with him ( Acts 19:22 ), and there, probably, Philemon had come under his influence (see Introduction, § 2), and made Timothy's acquaintance. There was, therefore, at least one link of acquaintance between "Timothy the brother" and "the saints in Colossae" (comp. Philippians 1:1 ; 2 Corinthians 1:1 ; 2 Corinthians 1:1-24 and 2 Thessalonians 1:1 , where his name appears in the same way). The honourable prominence thus given to Timothy marked him out for future leadership in the Church ( 1 Timothy 1:3 , 1 Timothy 1:18 ; 2 Timothy 2:2 ; 2 Timothy 4:2 , 2 Timothy 4:5 , 2 Timothy 4:6 ).