Chapter One
Col. 1:1. Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God
Immediately and from the very beginning he imperceptibly refutes their way of thinking. For he is an apostle not of angels, but of Jesus Christ, and the will of God is that he is an apostle of that Christ, and not of angels. So if I am an apostle "by the will of God," then it is clear that I preach the truth. What then? That through the Son we have been brought to God, that we have been freed from Jewish and Greek observances. And notice, the preposition "by" (δια) is placed before the word θεός, which signified God the Father.
Col. 1:1. and Timothy the brother,
He was also an apostle, it seems; probably he was also known to them.
Col. 1:2. To the saints and faithful (brethren) in Christ (Jesus)¹ who are in Colossae:
Colossae is a city of Phrygia, which is now called Chonae — this is evident from the fact that Laodicea is a neighboring country to it. From what then did you become saints? Was it not through baptism into the death of Christ? Why are you called faithful? Is it not because you believe in Christ? Is it not because such mysteries have been entrusted to you by Christ? For we are called faithful not only because we have believed, but also because mysteries have been entrusted to us by God, which even the angels did not know. Why brethren? Is it on account of your own deeds or virtue? No, but in Christ. How then after this do you ascribe to the angels the bringing of us to God?
Col. 1:3. Grace to you and peace from God, our Father.²
He does not add the name of Christ here, although this was his custom, so as not to immediately, from the very first words, openly attack them and thereby turn them against the following content of the speech. Let those who diminish the Holy Spirit say, why is God our Father? Is it not through the Spirit? Who granted us what is great and surpasses the mind? Is it not the Spirit? How then after this do you diminish Him?
Col. 1:3. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always praying for you,
Jesus Christ is our Lord, and not the servant-angels. Paul shows his love for us not only through thanksgiving, but also through unceasing prayer for us, for even those whom he had not seen, he always carried within himself.
Col. 1:4. Having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
We thank God, he says, because we heard from Epaphroditus about your faith in Christ Jesus, and not in angels. Through this he predisposes them toward himself. Because these names—Christ and Jesus—are symbols of beneficence; for He received anointing for our sake, and He Himself saved His people from their transgressions.
Col. 1:4. and of the love for all the saints,
Not to this one or that one, but to all; consequently, to us as well, so that you will listen to us with pleasure. This is the speech of a man predisposing them toward himself. By love he means almsgiving and fellowship, as in other places as well.
Col. 1:5. in the hope of what is prepared for you in the heavens,
You love, he says, the saints not out of human calculations, but in hope of future blessings; or else: we thank God that you are to inherit incorruptible blessings. For it is not laid up on earth, where it would be subject to corruption, but in heaven, where it is both intact and secure. Therefore, do not waver in hope: for what is laid up for you is in a safe place, and this pertains to those who have undergone trials, so that they would not seek deliverance from them here, and would not lose heart in trials, since they have a great reward.
Col. 1:5. of which you previously heard in the true word of the gospel,
He did not say "preaching," but "of the gospel," in order to remind them of the benefactions of God, for the gospel is a proclamation of good. But if it is the word of truth, then there is no falsehood in it. How then do you make it false by not believing as you were formerly taught by it, namely through Christ the Savior? And who was the preacher there? Epaphras, as is evident from what follows.
Col. 1:6. which is present among you, just as in all the world,
He speaks as if about some animate object: "which is present." It did not come to you, he says, and then depart, but is present and reigns among you. By this he encourages them. And since many become more steadfast when they have companions, he adds: "and in all the world." It is everywhere present, everywhere standing firm.
Col. 1:6. and bears fruit, and increases,
"Brings forth fruit" by works, "increases," because constantly many are joining this faith. But it would not bring forth fruit if it were not firm. For trees also bear more fruit when they are firmly rooted.
Col. 1:6. as also among you
As before, he predisposes them toward himself with praises, so that they would not fall away, even if they wanted to. For if the Gospel was preached in the same manner to everyone, including you, then how is it that some teach otherwise?