Colossians 1:3-5 NLT

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 1:3-8

Here he proceeds to the body of the epistle, and begins with thanksgiving to God for what he had heard concerning them, though he had no personal acquaintance with them, and knew their state and character only by the reports of others. I. He gave thanks to God for them, that they had embraced the gospel of Christ, and given proofs of their fidelity to him. Observe, In his prayers for them he gave thanks for them. Thanksgiving ought to be a part of every prayer; and whatever is the matter of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 1:2-8

1:2-8 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for you in our prayers; for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love you have to all God's dedicated people, because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven. Of that hope you have already heard in the true word of the gospel, which has come to you, just as in all the world it is bearing fruit and increasing, just as it did among you too, from that day on... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 1:2-8

Colossians 1:6-8 are a kind of summary of what the gospel is and does. Paul has much to say of the hope, to which the Colossians have already listened and which they have already accepted. (i) The gospel is good news of God. Its message is of a God who is a Friend and Lover of the souls of men. First and foremost, the gospel sets us in a right relationship with God. (ii) The gospel is truth. All previous religions could be entitled "guesses about God." The Christian gospel gives a man... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 1:3

We give thanks to God ,.... Meaning himself and Timothy. This is the beginning of the epistle, which is introduced with a thanksgiving to God; to whom praise and thankfulness are always due as a Creator and preserver, as the author of all good things, as the Father of mercies, temporal and spiritual, and as the covenant God and Father of his people through Christ: wherefore it follows, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ; the sense of which either is, that God the Father, who is the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 1:4

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus ,.... This expresses the matter of their thankfulness, or what it was they gave thanks to God for, their faith in Christ; by which is not only meant their hearty assent to the whole doctrine of faith, concerning the person, offices, and grace of Christ, their soundness and steadfastness in it, and their sincere and constant profession of it; but the grace of faith in them, the operation of the Spirit of God in their souls, which had not Moses, nor... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 1:5

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven ,.... These words may be considered either in connection with the foregoing, and express the reason or motive which encouraged these saints to believe in Christ, and to go on believing in him, and hold fast the profession of their faith in him, and to love the saints, and show it upon all occasions, and in every case; because of the rich treasure of glory and happiness in reserve for them in heaven, which they were hoping and waiting for; this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:3

We give thanks to God - Who is the author of all good; and from whom the grace, which has produced your conversion, has sprung by his mission of Christ Jesus. See the note on Ephesians 1:15 , Ephesians 1:16 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:4

Since we heard of your faith - This is very similar to Ephesians 1:15 . And it is certain that the apostle seems to have considered the Church at Ephesus, and that at Colassa to have been nearly in the same state, as the two epistles are very similar in their doctrine and phraseology. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:3

Verse 3 3.We give thanks to God. He praises the faith and love of the Colossians, that it may encourage them the more to alacrity and constancy of perseverance. Farther, by shewing that he has a persuasion of this kind respecting them, he procures their friendly regards, that they may be the more favourably inclined and teachable for receiving his doctrine. We must always take notice that he makes use of thanksgiving in place of congratulation, by which he teaches us, that in all our joys we... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:4

Verse 4 4. Having heard of your faith. This was a means of stirring up his love towards them, and his concern for their welfare, when he heard it that they were distinguished by faith and love. And, unquestionably, gifts of God that are so excellent ought to have such an effect upon us as to stir us up to love them wherever they appear. He uses the expression, faith in Christ, that we may always bear in mind that Christ is the proper object of faith. He employs the expression, love towards the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 1:3-8

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 1:2-8

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 1:2-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 1:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 1:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 1:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:4

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