Christ's apostle by God's will

Paul opens this letter with a gracious and clear declaration of his credentials. In the opening verse, the apostle establishes the matter of his authority (see sermon #2), his appointment, and his associate.

His appointment is a matter of divine determination, leaving no room for boasting, nor any need for shame. Although not appointed to the same office, we must remember that all office and relative honour in Christ's church is by God's appointment; to embrace whatever God wills us to be; and, that there is room for neither boasting nor shame on account of the will of God for his people.

We note also Paul's associate, 'Timothy our brother,' and bear in mind this vital truth: though the apostolic warrant for the teaching of Colossians is Paul's and Paul's alone, yet the substance of his teaching is and ought to be the shared conviction and practice of all true believers. Do we stand with Paul in owning this glorious testimony concerning the supremacy of Christ, growing in the grace and knowledge of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus?