Thomas Aquinas Commentary Colossians 1:1-2

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ [that are] at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father." — Colossians 1:1-2 (ASV)

This letter is divided into its greeting and its message (Colossians 1:3). The greeting first mentions the persons sending the letter, then the ones to whom it is sent (Colossians 1:2), and thirdly, the good things desired for them (Colossians 1:2b). Regarding the senders, the principal one is mentioned first, and then his companion.

The principal sender of this letter is first identified by his name, Paul, which means one who is humble, for it is such persons who receive wisdom: Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes (Matthew 11:25). Therefore, Paul can teach this wisdom. Secondly, the sender is described by his office as an apostle—that is, one who is sent to bring salvation to the faithful: Set apart for me Saul and Barnabas for the work to which I have called them (Acts 13:2); As the Father has sent me, even so I send you (John 20:21). He is not the apostle of just anyone, but of Christ Jesus, whose glory he seeks and not his own: For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake (2 Corinthians 4:5).

However, some people reach their office because God is angry over a people’s sins: Who makes a man who is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people (Job 34:30); I have given you kings in my anger (Hosea 13:11). And so, Paul says that he holds his office by the will of God—that is, by His good pleasure: I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding (Jeremiah 3:15).

The other person sending this letter is Timothy our brother, so that there may be two or three witnesses, as stated in Deuteronomy 17:6. As Proverbs 18:19 says, A brother helped is like a strong city.

The persons to whom this letter is sent are the saints and faithful brothers at Colossae. The greater ones are called saints: Let us serve him in holiness and righteousness (Luke 1:74). The lesser ones are referred to as the faithful, who have at least kept the true faith, because without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Alternatively, we could say it is sent to the saints—that is, those sanctified by baptism—and to the faithful brothers, meaning those who have remained in the faith they accepted. As we read in Proverbs 28:20, A faithful man will be much praised.

Then he mentions the good things he wishes them to have: grace, which is the source of every good, as in Justified by his grace as a gift (Romans 3:24); and peace, which is the ultimate good, as in He makes peace in your borders (Psalms 147:14). Consequently, he wishes them all the good things that lie between these two, for The Lord will give grace and glory (Psalms 84:11). This grace and peace come from the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ—who is the Father of Christ by nature and our Father by grace—and from the Lord Jesus Christ [Vulgate]. Therefore, they come from our Father, who is God in His Trinity, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, with respect to the human nature He assumed.