Colossians 1:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

NIV: To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

NASB: To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

CSB: To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters. Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

NLT: We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.

KJV: To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

NKJV: To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The recipients of this letter are Christians of the church located at Colossae. This city was about 100 miles east of Ephesus, in Asia Minor. It is located fairly close to the city of Laodicea. Unlike some of Paul's other letters, this one seems to be written to a church he had not yet personally visited (Colossians 1:7, Colossians 2:1).

Scripture does not use the term "saints" as a category of ultra-holy people. Rather, "saints" refers to all saved believers (Romans 1:7; 8:27). Before he was a Christian, Paul had thrown many of "the saints" in prison (Acts 26:10). Now, after a miraculous conversion, he is a missionary and a fellow saint among the early church. "Brothers" here is not meant to refer specifically to men. This is a general word for people, and includes both male and female believers.

This verse is the only place where the recipients are specifically referred to as those Christians in "Colossae." This city was 100 miles east of Ephesus and around 12 miles away from Laodicea. The Christians of this city were likely those who had heard the gospel during Paul's ministry in Ephesus, but whom Paul had not personally evangelized. Epaphras, instead, is the man credited with reaching this city with the gospel (Colossians 1:7; 4:12; Philemon 1:23).

Paul's standard greeting includes the phrase "Grace to you and peace from God our Father." The phrase "grace to you" starts all four of his Prison Epistles and is found in all of Paul's letters except his letters to Timothy and Titus.

Colossians 1:1–2 is typical of Paul's greetings in his letters to churches. This text is a message to the believers of Colossae, a town in Asia Minor near Laodicea. This is one of the few churches Paul writes to which he has not personally evangelized. Rather, Epaphras is credited with founding the church in this community. As with several other letters, this one is co-authored by Timothy.

In chapter 1, Paul introduces himself, along with his co-author Timothy. As he often does, Paul gives thanks for what he hears about the faith of the believers in Colossae. Paul includes a prayer for their growth and spiritual strength. The letter then transitions to praise of Jesus, describing Him as absolutely supreme. All created things were made through, by, and for Him. And, since it was His sacrifice which saved us from sin, we can have confidence in our eternal destiny.

Colossians chapter 1 is mostly focused on describing Christ as supreme. Jesus is not only the God of creation, He is the ultimate authority over all created things. The penalty for sin has been completely removed because of His perfect sacrifice. These are foundational ideas which Paul will use to set up his later points. In chapters 2, 3, and 4, Paul will explain why contrary claims are untrue, and show the right way for Christians to live out what we believe about Jesus.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.