Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, х dia (G1223)] - 'through,' etc. (note, 1 Corinthians 1:1.) The same designation of himself as in 1 Cor., 2 Cor., Ephes., 2 Tim. The fuller titular distinction is in Gal., where he wished to enforce his authority. The shortest is in 1 Thes and 2 Thess., to whom he writes in familiarity: simply "Paul."
Timotheus (notes, 2 Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1). He was with Paul when writing in Rome. He had been Paul's companion in his first tour through Phrygia, where Colosse was. Hence, the Colossians associated him with Paul in their affections, and the apostle joins him with himself in the address. In 1 Corinthians, Philippians, and Philemon, Paul passes to the singular; but here 2 Corinthians 1:3 Thessalonians and 2 Thessonians, continues the plural. Timothy may have transcribed the letter. Neither, probably, had seen the Colossian church (cf. Colossians 2:1); but had seen, during their tour through Phrygia, individual Colossians-as Epaphras, Philemon, Archippus, and Apphia (Philemon 1:2) - who, when converted, brought the Gospel to their native city.