Colossians 1 · Verse 1

Colossians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
Colossians 1:1, King James Version

Colossians 1:1 in other translations

BSBPaul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
WEBPaul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
ASVPaul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
YLTPaul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Timotheus the brother,
DARBYPaul, apostle of Christ Jesus, by God's will, and Timotheus the brother,
BBEPaul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the purpose of God, and Timothy our brother,
WebsterPaul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

What does Colossians 1:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Col 1:1-29. Address: Introduction: Confirming Epaphras' Teaching: The Glories of Christ: Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Colossians: His Own Ministry of the Mystery.

1. by the will of God--Greek, "through," &c. (compare Note, see on 1Co 1:1). Timothy--(Compare Notes, see on 2Co 1:1 and Php 1:1). He was with Paul at the time of writing in Rome. He had been companion of Paul in his first tour through Phrygia, in which Colosse was. Hence the Colossians seem to have associated him with Paul in their affections, and the apostle joins him with himself in the address. Neither, probably, had seen the Colossian Church (compare Col 2:1); but had seen, during their tour through Phrygia, individual Colossians, as Epaphras, Philemon, Archippus, and Apphia (Phm 2), who when converted brought the Gospel to their native city.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 1 Paul, an apostle - by the will of God - As the word αποστολος, apostle, signifies one sent, an envoy or messenger, any person or persons may be the senders: but the word is particularly restrained to the messengers of the everlasting Gospel, sent immediately from God himself; and this is what St. Paul particularly remarks here when he calls himself an apostle by the will of God; signifying that he had derived his commission from an express volition or purpose of the Almighty. And Timotheus - Though Timothy is here joined in the salutation, yet he has never been understood as having any part in composing this epistle. He has been considered as the amanuensis or scribe of the apostle.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 1:1-8
All true Christians are brethren one to another. Faithfulness runs through every character and relation of the Christian life. Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christian life, and proper matter for prayer and thanksgiving. The more we fix our hopes on the reward in the other world, the more free shall we be in doing good with our earthly treasure. It was treasured up for them, no enemy could deprive them of it. The gospel is the word of truth, and we may safely venture our souls upon it. And all who hear the word of the gospel, ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, obey it, and have their principles and lives formed according to it. Worldly love arises, either from views of interest or from likeness in manners; carnal love, from the appetite for pleasure. To these, something corrupt, selfish, and base always cleaves. But Christian love arises from the Holy Spirit, and is full of holiness. (Col 1:9-14)

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Colossians 1:1 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠαῦλοςPaulosPaulG3972
ἀπόστολοςapostolosan apostleG652
ΧριστοῦChristouof ChristG5547
ἸησοῦIēsouJesusG2424
διὰdiathroughG1223
θελήματοςthelēmatos[the] willG2307
θεοῦtheouof GodG2316
καὶkaiandG2532
ΤιμόθεοςTimotheosTimothyG5095
ὁhotheG3588
ἀδελφὸςadelphosbrotherG80

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 1:1

  • 2 Corinthians 1:1

    Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

  • 1 Corinthians 1:1

    Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

  • Philemon 1:1

    Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:1

    Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Romans 1:1

    Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

  • Philippians 1:1

    Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:2

    And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:1

    Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

  • Ephesians 1:1

    Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 After salutation Paul thanks God for their faith;
7 confirms the doctrine of Epaphras;
9 prays further for their increase in grace;
14 describes the true Christ;
21 encourages them to receive Jesus Christ, and commends his own ministry.

an.
Ro 1:1; 1Co 1:1; 2Co 1:1; Eph 1:1
Timotheus.
Php 1:1; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1; Phm 1:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Colossians 1:1

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

  • Colossians 1:2

    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.

Read all of Colossians 1

Colossians 1:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		PABLO, apóstol de Jesucristo por la voluntad de Dios, y el hermano Timoteo,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Paul, apôtre du christ Jésus par la volonté de Dieu, et Timothée, le frère,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Paulus, Apostel Christi Jesu durch Gottes Willen, und Timotheus, der Bruder,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Paulus Apostolus Jesu Christi per voluntatem Dei, et Timotheus frater: