He said that I dream the truth. He said that I am very fortunate. He said that people with such dreams are the true enemies of Despite — it isn’t Law, the Staff of Law wasn’t made to fight Foul with — no, it’s wild magic and dreams that are the opposite of Despite. — The Illearth War, Donaldson, pp. 155-6

It is the duty of the theologian to think the thoughts of God after Him. — Berkhof, p. 15

God forgive us for selling out our great intellectual treasure - the gospel of God with us - for a mess of psychobabble and pragmatic, utilitarian, self-help triviality. - William Willimon

The way Hewey saw it, the Lord had purposefully made every person different. He could not understand why so many people were determined to thwart the Lord’s work by making everyone the same. - Elmer Kelton, The Good Old Boys, p. 43

For through the law I died to the law so that I may live to God. I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:19–20 NET)

God creates faith in us through the Word. He increases, strengthens and confirms faith in us through His word. Hence the best service that anybody can render God is diligently to hear and read God's Word. - Luther, Martin. Commentary on Galatians (Luther Classic Commentaries) (p. 23). Neeland Media LLC. Kindle Edition.

“Those who follow me, do not walk in darkness,” says the Lord (John 8:12). By these words of Christ we are advised to imitate his life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from blindness of heart. Therefore let our main aim be to study the life of Christ. - Thomas A. Kempis (Parke, Simon. The Imitation of Christ: A 2011 Edition . White Crow Books. Kindle Edition.)

Colossians 1:3-8 We give thanks.

1) Main Clause: We always give thanks to God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ when we pray for you.

2) Participle Clause, 2 Reasons: We give thanks because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints.

3) διὰ Clause, Reason: You have this faith and love because
of the hope which is reserved for you in heaven - this hope you have heard of before in the word of truth, this hope is the gospel.

4) Participle Clause, Explanatory: This is the gospel that has come to you and is bearing fruit and increasing in all the world, the same way it is in you, ever since you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.

5) καθὼς Clause, Comparative: This is the gospel
you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful servant of Christ on your behalf. He’s the one who revealed to us your love in the spirit. 

Faith is as much the gift of God as is the Saviour upon whom that faith relies. Repentance of sin is as truly the work of grace as the making of an atonement by which sin is blotted out. Salvation, from first to last, is of grace alone.

Spurgeon, Charles H.. All Of Grace (p. 83). Fig. Kindle Edition. 

Colossians 1:1-2 Paul and Timothy send greetings.

Paul, Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Brother Timothy send greetings to the saints at Colossae and faithful fellow-christians in Christ - grace to you and peace from God our father.

Just people depend on the grace of God rather than on their own wisdom in keeping their resolutions. - Thomas A. Kempis 

(Parke, Simon. The Imitation of Christ: A 2011 Edition . White Crow Books. Kindle Edition.)

From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, at Colossae. Grace and peace to you from God our Father! (Colossians 1:1–2 NET)

Did Matthias (Acts 1:26) replace Judas, or was it Paul, the apostle to the gentiles? Luke seems to elevate Paul to the level of the 12 in his 2nd book. Take careful notice of the comparison between Peter and Paul as the book  of Acts progresses; it gives new meaning to the phrase by the will of God. Paul is an apostle, because God made it so.