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Colossians 1:1 – By The Will of God
Paul claiming that he is, “an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will” is not simply a throw-away line in introducing himself to the Colossians who he has never met (1.4). Neither is it simply a title of superior rank. There is no rising in ranks in Christianity, just becoming what we are not by the grace of God. So what is the import of this?
It is an authentication of his authority but more. But first, let’s consider the authority of Paul’s designation. Colossians is Paul’s correction to what is called “The Colossian Heresy,” an unexpected melding of Judaism and Eastern Gnostic philosophy. What right does Paul have in correcting this error? His apostleship. Why should the Colossian Christians be wary of this heresy? It contradicts the very core teaching of Who Christ is which Paul in his apostleship asserts (2.9). Today, all doctrines are to be compared to the core of Christ as taught by the inspired apostles and other writers. “Truth” that contradicts Christ is not truth.
Paul’s apostleship is a sign of grace despite his persecuting past. Paul will speak of the power of grace among the Colossians (1.6). I doubt Paul ever fully escapes his past, whether being reminded by doubters as in the beginning, or later on by his own sufferings (Acts 9.16).
Finally, it is an act of submission on Paul’s part to accept the persecutions and sufferings he receives in being an apostle, such as being imprisoned. Paul cryptically claims, “I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church” (1.24).
Authority, grace and submission, not necessarily an easy life for Paul – I wonder how often we interpret God’s will to be what’s easiest?
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