Colossians 1:1-12 – Grace and Peace
Greetings in the time of the apostles were so much more than a mere ‘Hello’ or the standard ‘How are you?’ to which we never really expect a reply! There were fairly standard greetings in New Testament times, both spoken and written, but here the apostle Paul combines the Greek and the Hebrew greetings and, at the same time fills them with a meaning that was specifically Christian. This is the second shortest greeting found in Paul’s epistles, only 1 Thessalonians 1:1 has fewer words, and yet it contains such rich teaching. This twofold greeting or blessing contains everything that is necessary for fruitful and contented life in the presence of God.
Grace is that beautiful New Testament word that speaks of unmerited favour and goodness, and in particular, that undeserved favour of the Almighty God for hell deserving sinners. It is the goodness and love displayed by God in sending His only Son into the world to bear the punishment that we deserved. It is the mercy of God in giving to those who least deserve it, the free gift of salvation, Eph. 2:8. Nor does it end there! God’s favour, undeserved by us, strengthens us in weakness, helps us to resist temptation, illuminates our minds, and ‘daily loads us with benefits’.
One of the great blessings that come through God’s grace to us is peace. Not just the absence of conflict, the Hebrew concept of peace (shalom) is completeness, soundness or wholeness. The peace that Paul desired for the Colossians was peace with God because of the forgiveness of sin through the Lord Jesus Christ, and the peace from God that would enable the believer to be content no matter what the circumstances of his life. The apostle Paul had experienced that peace himself and so he was able to say ‘I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am’. Phil. 4:11.
Questions
- Can you think of a way to make your greetings more meaningful?
- How you can you display the peace of God in your daily life?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for God’s grace and peace.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.