In these opening verses, the apostle Paul introduces himself to the Colossians. He asserts his authority as an apostle by the will of God and reminds the Colossians of their spiritual identity as saints and brothers and sisters in Christ. In doing so, he teaches us that it is the will of God that gathers the family of God around the grace of God. God’s grace to us in the gospel is the beginning, middle, and end of the Christian life.