Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 1:2

"To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ [that are] at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father." — Colossians 1:2 (ASV)

In the OT, holiness is ascribed not only to persons (Leviticus 20:7; 2 Kings 4:9; et al.), but also to places (Exodus 29:31; Leviticus 6:16, 26; et al.) and things (Exodus 28:2; Exodus 29:6; Numbers 5:17; et al.). This suggests that the root idea in “holy” (GK 41) is not excellence of character but dedication, the state of being set apart for the work and worship of God. The word “faithful” (GK 4412) implies not only that the addressees are believers, but they are also loyal to Christ, a quality especially appropriate for a church under fire.

“Brothers,” a term of affection used of Christians in every letter of Paul, calls attention to the intimacy of the fellowship of the Christian community. Despite their differences of culture, social status, and racial background, the Colossian believers are bound together by a common bond of love and thus constitute one spiritual family—all spiritually begotten by one Father. “In Christ” emphasizes the spiritual position of believers. They are united with Christ, joined to him as closely as limbs are joined to the body of which they are a part.

The greeting takes the form of a prayer for “grace and peace” to be given the readers. “Grace” (GK 5921) denotes the favor of God; Paul uses this word to express the essence of God’s saving activity in Christ. In our thinking, “peace” (GK 1645) usually suggests the absence of conflict. The NT concept, however, is richer and broader. It denotes wholeness or soundness and includes such ideas as prosperity, contentedness, and good relations with others.