1:1 1:1

Colossians 1:2

1:3 1:3

Bible Versions

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.
To the saints {G40} and {G2532} faithful {G4103} brethren {G80} in {G1722} Christ {G5547} which are at {G1722} Colosse {G2857}: Grace {G5485} be unto you {G5213}, and {G2532} peace {G1515}, from {G575} God {G2316} our {G2257} Father {G3962} and {G2532} the Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}.
To: God’s people in Colosse, faithful brothers in the Messiah:

Grace to you and shalom from God our Father.
To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
to the saints and faithful brethren in Christthat areat Colossæ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Commentary on Colossians 1:2 (KJV)

This verse opens Paul's letter to the church at Colossae, immediately establishing the recipients and conveying a customary, yet profound, apostolic greeting. It sets the tone for the entire epistle, which aims to affirm the supremacy of Christ against emerging theological errors and to encourage believers in their walk with Him.

Context

The Epistle to the Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul, likely during his imprisonment in Rome (circa 60-62 AD), alongside Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. Colossae was a city in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey), known for its wool trade and a blend of cultures and religions. The church there was probably not founded by Paul himself, but by Epaphras, a faithful minister who brought the gospel to the region (Colossians 1:7). Paul's letter addresses specific challenges facing the Colossian believers, including philosophical speculation, ascetic practices, and angel worship, all of which diminished the central role of Jesus Christ. This opening greeting, therefore, is not merely a formality but a foundational statement of identity and blessing for those grappling with such issues.

Key Themes

  • Identity in Christ: The recipients are addressed as "saints and faithful brethren in Christ." This emphasizes their new status and spiritual family. "Saints" (Greek: hagioi) refers not to a select few, but to all believers who are set apart and consecrated to God through faith in Jesus. "Faithful brethren" highlights their shared commitment and spiritual kinship within the Christian community. This identity is not self-achieved but is a gift bestowed "in Christ".
  • Divine Blessing: Paul's standard greeting, "Grace [be] unto you, and peace," conveys the essence of the Christian experience.
    • Grace: (Greek: charis) refers to God's unmerited favor and divine enablement, the foundational gift of salvation and ongoing strength. It is the active benevolence of God towards humanity.
    • Peace: (Greek: eirene) signifies not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic well-being, harmony, and reconciliation with God and with others. It is the profound spiritual tranquility that comes from being reconciled to God through Christ. This profound peace "surpasses all understanding".
  • Source of Blessing: The blessings of grace and peace are explicitly stated to come "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." This highlights the divine, Trinitarian source of all spiritual benefits, emphasizing that all good gifts flow from the Father through the Son.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "saints," hagioi, literally means "holy ones" or "set apart ones." It underscores that believers are consecrated to God, separated from the world for His purposes. The pairing of "grace" (charis) and "peace" (eirene) is a hallmark of Paul's greetings across his epistles (e.g., Ephesians 1:2), reflecting the essence of the gospel: God's favor (grace) brings about reconciliation and inner calm (peace). This "peace" also resonates with the Hebrew concept of shalom, encompassing wholeness, prosperity, and right relationships.

Significance and Application

Colossians 1:2 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Affirm Your Identity: You are a "saint" and "faithful brethren" in Christ, set apart and belonging to God. This identity is secure and foundational, regardless of your feelings or circumstances.
  • Receive God's Blessings: Grace and peace are not earned but freely given by God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Embrace these gifts daily as the source of your strength and serenity.
  • Live in Community: The address to "brethren" underscores the importance of Christian fellowship and mutual encouragement. We are part of a spiritual family called to support one another.
  • Recognize the Source: All true spiritual blessings originate from God the Father through Jesus Christ. This foundational truth helps us to center our faith and trust in the divine Giver.
Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Romans 1:7

    To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you and peace from 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:

  • 2 Peter 1:2

    Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2

    Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

  • Galatians 1:3

    Grace [be] to you and peace from God the Father, and [from] our Lord Jesus Christ,

  • 1 Peter 1:2

    Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

  • Revelation 1:4

    John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
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