What does Colossians 1:1 mean?

Paul begins with his name and his title, "an apostle of Christ Jesus." This is the same title Paul uses of himself in the first verses of 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, 1 Timothy, and 2 Timothy. Paul was an apostle through the work and plan of God, not his own schemes. The idea of God's will over his life is one of Paul's common themes for his letters. This not only gives Paul authority to make his claims, it gives him reasons to endure persecution and suffering.

Paul writes this letter along with his longtime helper Timothy. Timothy is also listed as co–author with Paul in 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. This makes Timothy a collaborator on six of Paul's 13 New Testament letters. Paul make special mention of two other "brothers" in his letters. These are Apollos (1 Corinthians 16:12) and Titus (2 Corinthians 8:16).