Paul That Amazing Man
—A Study in Paul’s letter to the Colossians
In his letters, Paul reveals much about himself. Learning more about Paul the man, helps us to better understand the things he teaches. What does his letter to the Colossians tell us about him?
1 A Humble Man
The first word in the letter is the name of its author: Paul (Colossians 1:1). This was not his original name. It was "Saul" (Acts 7:58, 8:1).
Saul was also the name of the Benjaminite who became first king of Israel (1Sam 9:15-17). Paul was also a Benjaminite (Philippians 3:4-5), and his given name was Saul, the same name as the king of old.
The name "Paul" comes from the Latin for "little" (the root of our English words "pauper" and "paucity"). To give up the kingly name Saul and take up the name Paul meaning "little", shows humility.
But Paul is even more humble, for he does not stop at the name: he writes, "I Paul a servant..." (Colossians 1:23,25). Note that the word "minister" means servant.
2 A Man Duty Bound
The second word in the letter is "apostle", the title of its author (Colossians 1:1). The word "apostle" is derived from apo meaning "out" and stello meaning "send". Paul was one "sent out" on a mission. Paul thought of his apostleship as stewardship (Colossians 1:25 1Cor 9:17).
To Paul, the word "apostle" was not a fancy title, but a description of his duty. He was duty conscious, not title conscious. When he said, "I am an apostle", he meant, "I have a duty to speak" (Colossians 4:4, 1Corinthians 9:16).
3 A Man In Prison
At the time of writing Colossians, Paul was under house arrest. He refers to his predicament in chapter four: "...the mystery of Christ for which I am in chains" (Colossians 4:3); "...my fellow prisoner Aristarchus" (Colossians 4:10); "...remember my chains". (Colossians 4:18).
Paul might easily have taken the attitude, "If God wants me to work as an apostle, let him get me out of these chains". Instead, he says, "I rejoice in my sufferings" (Colossians 1:24). He is glad to suffer for the Saviour who suffered so much for him.
4 A Caring Man
Paul writes with deep concern. He cares about people even though he does not know them all personally (Colossians 2:1-2). He prays for them (Colossians 1:3,9) He wants to share news with them (Colossians 4:9).
Paul craves fellowship, and speaks wistfully of being present with the congregation in spirit though absent in body (Colossians 2:5). His deep care can be felt in such phrases as:
- "...if you continue in the faith" (Colossians 1:23),
- "...see that no one takes you captive" (Colossians 2:8),
- "...do not let anyone disqualify you" (Colossians 2:18),
- "...teach and admonish one another" (Colossians 3:16).
Paul enjoins on his friends what he practices himself: "Clothe yourselves with compassion and kindness" (Colossians 3:12). He shared with them their "love for all saints" (Colossians 1:4).
5 A Man In Good Company
Paul had built brotherhood with several men of God. Some of them are named (Colossians 1:1 4:7-18). There are three things particularly that come out of the way Paul speaks of these folk:
- Their warm and brotherly comradeship;
- Their mutual trust, confidence, and respect, enabling them to share important duties;
- Their unselfish, dedicated, and sacrificial devotion to those duties.
6 An Exemplary Man
Paul was truly an amazing man! Let us be inspired by his example, that his benediction, "Grace be with you", might be upon us (Colossians 4:18).
Map Showing Colossae