Note 1 at Col. 1:1: In nine of Paul's thirteen epistles he designates himself as an "apostle." Paul did not chose to be an apostle or confer this honor upon himself. He saw and received his commission to be an apostle from the risen Christ (Acts 9:3-6; 22:6-15; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8-9) and showed the signs of an apostle by miraculous power (2 Cor. 12:12).

Note 2 at Col. 1:1: Timothy is first mentioned in the New Testament in Acts 16:1 as being a disciple whose mother was a Jewish believer and his father a Greek. Paul first met Timothy on his second missionary journey (Acts 19:22) and that soon led to a special bond that lasted throughout Paul's ministry. Paul referred to Timothy as "my own son in the faith" (1 Tim. 1:2), "my workfellow" (Rom. 16:21), a "servant of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:1), "our brother" (2 Cor. 1:1), and "my dearly beloved son" (2 Tim. 1:2). Although Paul was now in prison, Timothy was still with him. Paul's feelings are best expressed for Timothy in Philippians 2:20-22, "For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel."

It was to Timothy that Paul wrote his last letter from Rome (2 Tim. 4:6-8), encouraging Timothy to fulfill his ministry (2 Tim. 4:5).