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COLOSSIANS - Christ in you, the hope of glory!
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Colossians

Part 1 - The Foundations of Christian Faith (Colossians 1:1-29)

1. Greeting and introduction (Colossians 1:1-2)

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Timothy

Paul was not alone in honouring the Lord of Glory, but was usually surrounded by co-labourers and guests, who worked together with him in travels and prayer. During his imprisonment helpers were able to visit him, who could encourage him as well as copy down his dictations on parchment or papyrus scrolls. Timothy, his spiritual son, was with him when he dictated the letter to the Colossians, perhaps making suggestions in the formulations of the Greek language. Paul also called the young man his brother in Christ, who stood closer to him than all other helpers and friends (1 Cor. 16:10-11; Phil. 2:19-23).

Timothy came from Lystra, (near Konya in modern day Turkey). His father was a Hellenic Greek in the Roman Empire, while his grandmother Lois and his mother, Eunice, were pious Jews, who had instructed their son and grandson in the Torah and passed on to him the spiritual inheritance of the fathers (Acts 16:1-3; 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:13-15). Perhaps the young Jewish youth had trusted in Jesus during the first missionary journey of Paul, and thus the reason why Paul called him his “spiritual son” (2 Tim. 1:2). For the second missionary journey he was called into the service of Christ as the travelling companion of Paul, who had taken and circumcised him that he might be a more acceptable witness to the Jews. At his conversion Paul had also laid his hands upon him for the imparting of spiritual blessing (2 Tim. 1:6-7). Paul entrusted him with the spiritual follow-up of new believers in cities where he could not stay (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10-11; Phil 2:19-23; 1 Thes. 3:2, 6). In some of the letters of Paul, Timothy was even a co-signer with the apostle (1 and 2 Thes.; 2 Cor.; Phil.; Col.; Phil.). He served as the representative of his spiritual father in Christ. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul instructed him on how to lead and administer new churches. In his second letter, Paul encouraged him to overcome his weakness, fear, and desire to avoid suffering, as well as to decisively and patiently resist false teaching while bravely battling for Christ (2 Tim. 1:8-14).

Question 6: Who was Timothy and how was he also co-responsible for the letter to the Colossians?

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