Two verses, twenty-eight words, and before Paul writes a single line of theology
he has already told the Colossians who they are. Authority received rather than
earned, a family rather than an institution, and a blessing that frames the whole
letter. What does it mean to be a saint?
Paul is an apostle “by the will of God.” His authority was received, not
achieved, and so is our standing before God.
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Timothy is called simply “our brother.” The church is a family, not an
institution, and you are born into it.
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“Saints” (hagios) is Paul’s standard word for ordinary believers: holy
because God set them apart, not because of their performance.
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Grace comes first and peace follows, both from God our Father, the One who
is for you.
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From the Study Notes
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father.”
— Colossians 1:2, BSB
Holy by His declaration. The false teaching offered a path to a
higher spiritual status. Paul answers in the greeting: you are already saints, and
there is no higher category to climb into. Your holiness is God’s declaration
about you, not your report card.
Where do you still define yourself by your spiritual performance rather than by
belonging to God?
◆ Greek Word Spotlight
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ἅγιος
hagios
adjective / noun · HAH-gee-os
Holy, set apart. In the New Testament it is never a title for a spiritual
elite but Paul’s standard term for ordinary believers. What makes someone
a saint is God’s act of setting them apart, and the life described in
chapters 3 and 4 is the response to that declaration, not its ground.
— as used in Colossians 1:2
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Verse by Verse with Nate.
