"Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

If you have been keeping up with this blog, you will be aware that we have previously established the historical context of the Colossian church to provide background for this letter. We also delved into the biblical definitions of an apostle and a saint.

As we have learned, Paul begins his letter by affirming his authority to address Colossae’s church leaders and members, introducing himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He then identifies the recipients of his letter as saints, individuals consecrated by God through their devotion to Jesus Christ and the purifying influence of the Holy Spirit. As saints, they are holy and set apart to exemplify God's love through their good deeds.

But there’s more because Paul’s greeting also includes the phrase;

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.