Colossians 1:1-2 - Homilies By U.r. Thomas

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; he was his boyish, not to say childish, convert, yet his brother. Great souls never patronize; they elevate true men, of whatever station or age, into brotherhood with them. The Greatest said, "I have called you not servants, but friends." "He is not ashamed to call them brethren."

II. WHAT IT IMPLIES ABOUT THE CHURCH . It recalls to us:

1. Its locality and its associations. One of the historic Churches in the valley of the Lycus; the town, too, had been famous, though its glory was waning. Xerxes and Cyrus had made it famous, but Paul's letter has made its name known where Xerxes and Cyrus have never been heard of.

2. . Its character. This indeed ought to be the character of every Church. For its members were:

III. WHAT IT SUGGESTS ABOUT TRUE BLESSEDNESS . "Grace and peace" is Paul's customary greeting; it is a blended Greek and Hebrew salutation. It expresses the Apostle's best wish for a Church. What is it?

1. "Grace." It is a Greek thought Christianized. It takes the conception of grace of form, of gesture, of tone, into the spiritual realm. It has on Paul's pen and lips two meanings.

2. " Peace ." It may include: