Colossenses 1

Colossenses 1:1

Guzik - "Some of us could write, "pastor by the will of God" or "evangelist by the will of God" or "pray-er by the will of God" or "encourager by the will of God" or "supporter by the will of God." We all have our role to play, and God wants us to walk in it! THOUGHT- If we are in ministry (and to one degree or other ALL of us are in ministry, some "unofficially" and some "officially") the question should resound in our ears "Am I where I am in ministry by His will or my will? It's a question pondering, for apart from Him we can do absolutely nothing of eternal value (Jn 15:5). Will (2307) (thelema [word study] used of God's will in 49 of 64 NT uses, 3 uses relating to Jesus' humanity, 3 to the Father in the parables and only 9 uses referring to man's will) refers to a desire which comes from one’s heart or emotions and is what one wishes or has determined shall be done. Thelema refers not to will which is conceived as a demand but an inclination of pleasure towards that which is liked, which pleases and creates joy. Thus God’s will signifies His gracious disposition toward something, what God Himself does of His own good pleasure. Vine explains thelema in this verse this way "thelema of God often signifies His determined resolve; here, however, it expresses His gracious design. These meanings are to be discerned in the passages where His will has reference to the lives and conduct of believers, as, e.g., in 1Th 4:3 and 1Th 5:18." Here in Col 1:1 thelema refers to God’s gracious disposition. The point is that Paul was not a self made minister but one called by God because that is what God determined should come to pass. How easy it is to miss His will in this life and instead to "kick against the goads" building "mud pie ministries" when we could be bearing much fruit, proving that we are His disciples (Jn 15:8) and letting our "light shine before men in such a way that they may see (our) good works, and glorify (our) Father Who is in heaven". (Mt 5:16-note) Thelema - 62x in 58v - NAS = desire(1), desires(1), will(57).Mt 6:10; 7:21; 12:50; 18:14; 21:31; 26:42; Mark 3:35; Luke 12:47; 22:42; 23:25; Jn 1:13; 4:34; 5:30; 6:38, 39, 40; 7:17; 9:31; Acts 13:22; 21:14; 22:14; Ro 1:10-note; Ro 2:18-note; Ro 12:2-note; Ro 15:32-note; 1Cor 1:1; 7:37; 16:12; 2Cor 1:1; 8:5; Gal 1:4; Ep 1:1-note, Ep 1:5-note, Ep 1:9-note, Ep 1:11-note; Ep 2:3-note; Ep 5:17-note; Ep 6:6-note; Col 1:1-note, Col 1:9-note; Col 4:12-note; 1Th 4:3-note; 1Th 5:18-note; 2Ti 1:1-note; 2Ti 2:26-note; He 10:7-note, He 10:9-note, He 10:10-note, He 10:36-note; He 13:21-note; 1Pe 2:15-note; 1Pe 3:17-note; 1Pe 4:2-note, 1Pe 4:19-note; 2Pe 1:21-note; 1Jn 2:17; 5:14; Rev 4:11-note. Timothy (5095) (time = worth or merit of some object + theos = God) means "honoring God." The Greek word for "honor" (time) has in it the ideas of reverence and veneration. What a great name Timothy had and as best we can discern from Scripture he lived up to it! McClintock - Timotheus as the name is given in the AV. (Timothy occurs 24 verses in NT = Acts 16:1; 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Ro 16:21; 1Cor 4:17; 16:10; 2Cor 1:1, 19; Phil 1:1; 2:19; Col 1:1; 1Th 1:1; 3:2, 6; 2Th 1:1; 1Ti 1:2, 18; 6:20; 2Ti 1:2; Philemon 1:1; Heb 13:23), one of the most interesting of Paul's converts of whom we have an account in the New Test. Fortunately we have tolerably copious details of his history and relations in the frequent references to him in that apostle's letters to the various churches, as well as in those addressed to him personally . (See Complete Entry) Hoehner - Timothy is joined with Paul as a coauthor in the salutation here, as also in 2Cor 1:1; Phil 1:1; 1Thess 1:1; 2Thess 1:1; Philemon 1:1. (Cornerstone biblical commentary, Vol. 16: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon) Turner adds that "Timothy, who was not an apostle and did not have Paul's authority, was considered by Paul to be his equal when it came to servanthood. (Quoted from Apple's Philippians Commentary) Matthew Henry offers an interesting thought that "Though Paul was alone divinely inspired, he joins Timothy with himself, to express his own humility, and put honor upon Timothy. Those who are aged, and strong, and eminent, should pay respect to, and support the reputation of, those who are younger, and weaker, and of less note." In the letter to the Thessalonians Paul refers to "Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ." (1Th 3:2). Paul gave him a lofty testimony writing "Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid; for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am." (1Cor 16:10) In the letter to Philippi Paul gave him a warm, wonderful description writing "I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare." (Phil 2:20-note) where the Greek word for kindred spirit is isopsuchos (ísos = equal + psuche = soul, mind, life) and literally means one of equal soul, one who is like–minded, one who is of similar character and energized by the same motives. Timothy was indeed a man after Paul's own heart, one in thought, feeling, and spirit with Paul and his love for the church of Jesus Christ. Mathematically speaking their "triangles were congruent." The idea is that Timothy thought like Paul and had a similar perspective so that he would likely interpret a situation much like Paul would if he had been present. Paul could rely on any report from Timothy as being similar to one he himself would have brought back. If you have a "Timothy," then count yourself as greatly blessed. If you are a "Timothy" to a "Paul," then may God be greatly praised! Related Resources: Who was Timothy in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Timothy - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Timothy - Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament Timothy - Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Timothy - Holman Bible Dictionary Timothy - Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Our brother (80)(adelphos from the prefix a = denoting unity + delphús = womb) is literally one born from same womb, but used figuratively to describe close association of a group of persons having well-defined membership and in the context of the New Testament clearly refers to fellow believers in Christ and so in the family of God and thus united by the bond of affection. Brother speaks of the intimacy of fellowship -- Do you ever refer to your fellow Christians as "Brother?"