Colossians 1:1

Berean Standard Bible

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

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This verse serves as the opening salutation of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, and though it may seem brief and formulaic, it is rich in theological and relational significance. Every word is carefully chosen and reflects Paul’s identity, authority, and the purpose of his writing, as well as the communal nature of Christian ministry.

The verse begins with “Paul,” immediately identifying the author. Paul was a well-known figure in the early church, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee who once persecuted Christians. His dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) established him as a chosen instrument of Christ to preach the gospel, especially to the Gentiles. When Paul identifies himself in his letters, he is not simply stating authorship—he is reminding the readers of the source and seriousness of his calling.

He describes himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus.” The title "apostle" (Greek: apostolos) means "one who is sent" and was reserved for those uniquely commissioned by the risen Christ. Paul’s claim to apostleship was often contested, particularly because he was not one of the original twelve. Yet in every letter where he uses this title, Paul affirms that his authority does not come from man but from God. Here, he is asserting that his ministry and message are not of human origin but divinely appointed. The phrase “of Christ Jesus” further emphasizes that he serves under the authority and lordship of the Messiah. Paul intentionally uses the name “Christ Jesus” (rather than “Jesus Christ”) to highlight Jesus’ messianic role and divine appointment—Christ (Messiah) being the title of the anointed one promised in the Old Testament.

The phrase “by the will of God” deepens this point. Paul’s apostleship was not self-made, nor was it a result of human recommendation or institutional validation. It was the direct outcome of God’s sovereign choice. This phrase reminds the reader that Christian leadership, and indeed any spiritual calling, originates in the divine will rather than personal ambition or human endorsement. It also implies that the message Paul brings carries divine authority and is not up for negotiation. His ministry is an expression of God’s purpose, which brings weight to the teaching that will follow in the letter.

The verse continues with “and Timothy our brother.” Here Paul includes Timothy as a co-sender of the letter, though the apostolic authority belongs to Paul alone. Timothy, a close companion and protégé of Paul, had traveled with him on many missionary journeys and had proven himself as a faithful and reliable partner in ministry. Referring to him as “our brother” reflects both Timothy’s standing within the Christian community and the familial language that characterized early Christian relationships. This phrase fosters a sense of unity and mutual care among believers. It also serves to build trust between the Colossians and Timothy, indicating that he is not merely Paul’s assistant but a beloved member of the same spiritual family.

Including Timothy also reflects Paul’s commitment to team-based ministry. He rarely worked alone and always emphasized the shared labor of the gospel. This provides a model for Christian leadership that is humble, communal, and rooted in shared responsibility. By identifying Timothy as “our brother,” Paul is also subtly reminding the Colossians of the relational nature of the faith—one that is lived out in community rather than isolation.

Altogether, Colossians 1:1 is more than a formal greeting. It sets the tone for the rest of the letter by establishing Paul’s authority, acknowledging God’s sovereign will, and highlighting the communal nature of Christian service. It reminds readers that the words to follow are not merely human reflections but divinely inspired instruction delivered through a chosen apostle and his faithful brother in Christ. It invites the audience to receive the letter not only with reverence for its divine origin but also with openness to the fellowship and unity that mark the people of God.

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Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As we gather around the sacred Word today, let us pause and open our hearts to the voice of the Spirit through a verse that, though often passed over quickly, contains the heartbeat of apostolic identity and divine commission. Colossians 1:1—“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother.” One verse, yes, but overflowing with truth, divine authority, and pastoral invitation.

Paul begins his letter not with idle chatter or a casual greeting, but by laying down the foundation of who he is and why he writes. He calls himself “an apostle of Christ Jesus.” This is not arrogance; it is not self-promotion. This is identity rooted in divine calling. Paul, once a persecutor of the Church, has been transformed into her greatest champion—not by persuasion, not by personal ambition, but by the sheer mercy and power of the risen Christ. He did not climb the ladder of religious status; he was knocked down on the Damascus road and raised up again by grace. He did not apply to be an apostle. No, God called him, Christ revealed Himself to him, and the Spirit anointed him. And so, when Paul speaks, he speaks not with the authority of a man who built a career, but of a servant who carries the King’s message.

“An apostle of Christ Jesus”—what does this mean for us? It means that the message we receive in this letter is not just human opinion or theological suggestion; it is divine truth. It comes not from below but from above. Paul is not writing as a religious philosopher or inspirational coach. He is writing as one sent by the resurrected Lord. And this calling is “by the will of God.” Oh, the will of God! Mysterious and yet certain, sovereign and yet tender. Brothers and sisters, let us tremble at this phrase—by the will of God. There is no higher commission. There is no deeper source of authority. Paul is not his own man; he belongs to God. He does not teach his own ideas; he teaches what the will of God has revealed through Christ.

And is this not a word we need today? In an age of voices clamoring for attention, where everyone claims their own truth, we must ask: whose voice has ultimate authority in our lives? When Paul writes, he reminds us that truth is not invented by man—it is revealed by God. His apostleship, and by extension his message, are not optional for us. We cannot follow Jesus while ignoring the messengers He has chosen to send. We cannot claim Christ and yet dismiss the teaching of His apostles. To receive Paul’s words is to receive Christ’s words, for the will of God has bound them together.

But Paul is not alone. “And Timothy our brother.” There is something beautiful and tender in this. Though Paul holds apostolic authority, he does not minister alone. He includes Timothy—not as a co-apostle, not as an assistant in rank, but as a brother. The mighty apostle and the young disciple stand together, united not by hierarchy, but by shared faith and brotherly love. What dignity is given to Timothy here! He is not just “my son in the faith,” though Paul calls him that elsewhere. Here, he is “our brother.” He belongs to the household of faith, to the communion of saints, to the body of Christ. And so do you.

This is not mere introduction. This is gospel logic at work. Authority and family. Calling and communion. The apostolic ministry is not cold or distant—it is personal and relational. Paul, called by God, does not elevate himself above the Church but labors for her as a servant. He stands with others—Timothy, Epaphras, the churches themselves—as fellow workers in Christ. Even when he writes with apostolic fire, he does so with a shepherd’s heart.

And how we need this same pattern in our churches today. We need leaders who know that their calling is by the will of God—not by popularity, not by platform, not by pride. We need pastors, elders, teachers, and workers who tremble at the task given to them and find their strength in Christ alone. We need a return to that deep conviction that ministry is sacred ground. And we need brothers and sisters—Timothys in our midst—who may not hold titles of authority but are full participants in the mission of God. You may not be called to stand in a pulpit or write Scripture, but if you belong to Christ, you are a brother or sister of eternal worth. You are part of the family. You are co-laborers with the saints. You matter.

Let us also see here a picture of discipleship. Paul walked with Timothy, mentored him, encouraged him, and trusted him enough to co-sign this sacred letter. Are you walking with someone? Are you raising up others in the faith, not just teaching doctrines, but modeling a life of Christlike humility, courage, and endurance? The Church is not built by solo heroes, but by generations of faithful disciples raising up the next. Paul had Timothy. Who has you? And who do you have?

Finally, let us not miss that Paul begins his letter to the Colossians with his identity rooted not in his former life, not in his personal accomplishments, but solely in the will of God and the calling of Christ. This should challenge us all: when people ask who we are, do we begin with what we’ve achieved or with whose we are? The world says, “Build your brand.” The Spirit says, “Die to yourself.” The world says, “Find your truth.” The Word says, “Follow the Way.” Paul’s life was swallowed up in the purposes of God—and in that surrender, he found eternal meaning.

So I urge you, Church, examine your life. Are you living by your own will or by the will of God? Have you embraced your role in the family of faith, as brother or sister, servant or leader? Do you revere the Word of God through His apostles, or treat it like any other voice? Do you believe that your identity is found in Christ Jesus, or are you still trying to find yourself apart from Him?

Colossians 1:1 may look like a simple greeting, but it is a declaration of divine calling, spiritual authority, relational unity, and gospel identity. It is the voice of a man who belongs to God, writing to a people who are being built into His house. Let us receive this Word with reverence, humility, and joy. For the same Spirit who called Paul and bound him to Timothy now calls us—by the will of God—to follow Christ Jesus and be found in Him.

Amen.

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O God of all creation, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose boundless grace has called us into the fellowship of your eternal Son, we come before you with hearts humbled and spirits lifted, offering our prayer as your servants, bound by the love of your gospel. Like Paul, an apostle set apart by your divine will, and Timothy, his brother in faith, we stand as a people chosen not by our merit but by your mercy, united in the sacred bond of your church. We lift our voices to you, the source of all hope, the fountain of all wisdom, and the author of every good gift, to offer thanks, to seek your guidance, and to rest in the assurance of your unending faithfulness.

You, O Lord, have called us to be saints, not by our own righteousness but through the redeeming work of your Son, who bore our sins and triumphed over death, making us alive together with him. We are your faithful brothers and sisters, knit together in the body of Christ, and we stand in awe of the mystery of your grace, which has been revealed to us through the proclamation of your word. In Christ, you have reconciled all things to yourself, and we, who once were estranged, are now brought near by the blood of his cross. May our lives reflect the holiness to which you have called us, as we strive to walk worthy of the gospel that has claimed us.

We give you thanks, O God, for the hope laid up for us in heaven, a hope that does not disappoint, rooted not in the fleeting promises of this world but in the unshakable reality of your eternal kingdom. This hope, which we first heard through the truth of your gospel, has taken root in our hearts and is bearing fruit across the earth, as it did in the church at Colossae. We praise you for the power of your word, which spreads like a mighty river, bringing life to the barren places and awakening faith in those who hear it. May this same gospel continue to grow in us, transforming our minds, renewing our strength, and guiding our steps as we seek to live for your glory.

Father, we pray for your church, scattered yet united, diverse yet one in Christ. Fill us with the knowledge of your will, that we may discern your purposes in all things and walk in the wisdom that comes from above. Grant us, like your servant Paul, a heart that burns with love for your people, that we may pray without ceasing for one another, bearing each other’s burdens and rejoicing in each other’s joys. Strengthen us with the power of your Spirit, that we may endure with patience the trials of this age and face every challenge with the joy that comes from knowing we are yours. May our lives be a living doxology, a testament to your redeeming love, as we grow in faith, abound in love, and hold fast to the hope of your coming kingdom.

We lift before you those who labor in your name, the apostles and teachers, the pastors and proclaimers, who, like Paul and Timothy, carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. Equip them with courage, clothe them with humility, and fill their mouths with words of truth, that they may boldly declare the mystery of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Guard them from the snares of the enemy, and let their work bear fruit that endures to eternal life. For those who are weary, grant rest; for those who are discouraged, renew their hope; and for those who face persecution, be their shield and their strength.

O God, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the one who was, who is, and who is to come. In you, all things hold together, and through you, all things are made new. We pray for the world you so love, a world groaning under the weight of sin yet destined for redemption through your Son. Pour out your Spirit upon every nation, that the knowledge of your glory may cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Draw near to those who suffer, comfort those who mourn, and bring justice to those who cry out under oppression. Let your church be a beacon of your light, a city set on a hill, reflecting the love of Christ to a world in need.

As we stand in your presence, we confess our weakness, our wandering hearts, and our failure to live fully for you. Yet we rejoice that your grace is sufficient, that your power is made perfect in our weakness, and that your love never fails. Root us deeper in Christ, our head, our savior, and our king. May we grow in the knowledge of him, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the love that mirrors your own. Let our lives proclaim the supremacy of Christ, in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through whom we have received grace upon grace.

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.