There is disagreement among scholars over the authorship of Colossians. Was it was written by Paul or composed by Timothy for Paul. Maybe it was authored by some other close companion of Paul’s who wrote in the apostle’s name and style?

The current debate over authorship was not a concern for first century Christians, nor for the subsequent generations of Christ followers. Whether the author was Paul or one of his companions, the letter to the Colossians was presented under the authority of “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” (v.1).

An “apostle” was one “sent on a mission;” one who was imbued with the authority to act on behalf of the one who sent him. Paul’s title of “apostle” came from his chosenness by God and his mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is…