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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Colossians 1:3-8

PAUL'S THANKSGIVING FOR THE TIDINGS HE HAS RECEIVED OF THE SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF THE COLOSSIANS. According to his usual custom (so in Thess., 1 Cor., Rom., Phil., Philm.), Paul begins his letter with an expression of his thankfulness to God for the Christian graces of his readers. There is, however, a certain conventional element in these greetings, as may be seen from a comparison of similar formulæ in letters found among recently discovered papyri (see articles by Prof. Rendel Harris in The Expositor for Sept. and Dec., 1898). Ephesians 1:15-17 is parallel to Colossians 1:3-4; Colossians 1:9.

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See also Colossians 1:3-8 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    COLOSSIANS 1:3 qew|/ patri, {C} The reading adopted for the text, although it is rather narrowly supported (B C* 1739 Augustine), appears to account best for the origin of the other readings. In orde...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 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...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD - See the notes at the parallel place in Ephesians 1:15. PRAYING ALWAYS FOR YOU - See the Romans 1:9, note; Ephesians 1:16, note; com

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. THE PERSON OF CHRIST, His GLORY AND His WORK CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The introduction (Colossians 1:1)_ 2. The prayer (Colossians 1:9) 3. The person and glory of Christ, Head o...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    A PARAGRAPH OF THANKSGIVING. He always gives God thanks when he prays for them, for he has heard (from Epaphras) of their loyalty in Christ and the love which they exhibit towards all God's people: a...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    CHRISTIAN GREETINGS (Colossians 1:1) _ 1:1 This is a letter from Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and from Timothy, the brother, to the dedicated people of God and faithful brothe...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    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 ha...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    GIVE THANKS. See Acts 27:35. AND. The texts omit. THE FATHER. See John 1:14. LORD. App-98. JESUS CHRIST. App-98. PRAYING. App-134. FOR. App-104....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    thanksgiving for the colossian saints 3. _We give thanks_ So Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:16; 1 Thessalonian

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΤΩ͂Ι ΘΕΩ͂Ι ΠΑΤΡῚ BC*. This difficult reading was corrected by the insertion either of τῷ before πατρί, D*G and Chrys.372, or of καί, אACTS 2DCK, etc. Cf. Colossians 3:17, also Colossians 1:12 infra....

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    3–8. _Introductory thanksgiving for their effective reception of the Gospel in the true form of it taught them first by Epaphras_ (Colossians 1:3) We both always thank the God and Father of our Lord J...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΕΎΧΑΡΙΣΤΟΎΜΕΝ _praes. ind. act. от_ ΕΎΧΑΡΙΣΤΈΩ (G2168) благодарить. _pl._ может быть эпистолярным _pl._ ("я благодарю"), или настоящим _pl._, "мы с Тимофеем благодарим" (Moule). Выражение благодарност...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 2166 PAUL’S COMMENDATION OF THE GOSPEL Colossians 1:3. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, a...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    TO GOD AND THE FATHER— _To the God and Father._ Pierce, Doddridge, &c. P. Franck has a good observation here, which illustrates the beauty of many scriptures: "The order which would seem most artifici...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    3. WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, PRAYING ALWAYS FOR YOU, 4. HAVING HEARD OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS, AND OF THE LOVE WHICH YE HAVE TOWARD ALL THE SAINTS. _Translation...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Thanksgiving for their 'faith, hope, and love.' So in the twin letter sent by the same bearer, Tychicus (Ephes...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    1 "Paul, a commissioner of Christ Jesus," introduces us to a glorified Christ in heaven and invokes the authority vested in Paul as His legate. Contrast the character assumed by Paul in Philippians. 4...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    1:3 [when] (b-15) Or omit [when]. Ver. 9 proves this to be probably the true sense....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE SUPREMACY AND ALL-SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST 1-8. Salutation to the Colossian Christians, and thanksgiving for the news of their spiritual state. PARAPHRASE. '(1, 2) Paul and Timothy salute the saints...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    Better, 'We always give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ when we pray for you.'...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    CHRIST HAS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED THE COLOSSIANS _HELEN POCOCK_ A word list is at the end. It explains words with a *star by them. INTRODUCTION THE WRITER Paul wrote this letter. He was in...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    Comp. Ephesians 1:15, where there is an almost exact verbal coincidence. Whatever may be the force there of the words “having _heard_ of your faith,” clearly here they harmonise with many indications...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    (3-8) In this expression of St. Paul’s thanksgiving for them there is as usual a peculiar correspondence to their circumstances. They had been full of faith, love, and hope, the fruit of a true gospel...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 1 THE PRELUDE Colossians 1:3 (R.V.) THIS long introductory section may at first sight give the impression of confusion, from the variety of subjects introduced. But a little thought about it...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE GOSPEL BEARING FRUIT Colossians 1:1 The saints are men of faith, for their holiness is derived from Christ, but they are also faithful men, and will not betray their trust. _Grace_ is the Greek a...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This letter is correlative to the Ephesians, and shows the glory of the Head of the Church as at her disposal. After expressing his thankfulness for the faith, love, and hope of the saints, Paul tells...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Thank God for the Brethren in Colossae! Paul did not take his praying lightly, nor his thanksgiving. The letters of 2 Corinthians and Galatians do not contain such a prayer with thanks for the brethre...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (1) We give thanks to God and the (c) Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (1) He commends the doctrine that was delivered to them by Epaphras, and their readiness in receiving it...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, (2) To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Fat...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The most cursory reader discerns at once that the epistle to the Colossians is the counterpart of that to the Ephesians. They are in nowise the same, but may be viewed each as a supplement to the othe...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    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...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The Epistle to the Colossians looks at the Christian as risen with Christ, but not, as in that to the Ephesians, as sitting in heavenly places in Christ. A hope is laid up for him in heaven; he is to...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    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 Creato...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Ver. 3. _We give thanks-praying, &c._] Prayer and thanks (saith one) are like the double motion of the lungs; th...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _We give thanks_, &c. See on Romans 1:8; _to God and the Father_ Or, _even the Father of our Lord_, &c.; or, as the original expression is still more literally rendered, _To the God and Father of our...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD AND THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, PRAYING ALWAYS FOR YOU,...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    PAUL'S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION. A prayer of grateful joy:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    THE SALUTATION (vs.1-2) Paul writes with apostolic authority and by the will of God, so that total subjection to what he writes is rightly called for on the part of believers. Yet he adds, "and Timot...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    Thanksgiving - 1:3-8 3WE GIVE THANKS TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, PRAYING ALWAYS FOR YOU, All our praise and gratitude belong to God. Paul offers an expression of thanksgiving for...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, PRAYING ALWAYS FOR YOU, 'WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD' -Gratitude and thanksgiving is often. neglect aspect in our prayers. It is so easy to view...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-8 All true Christians are brethren one to another. Faithfulness runs through every character and relation of the Christian life. Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christi...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD: SEE POOLE ON "PHILIPPIANS 1:3". He doth here take in Timothy and others, in acknowledging of God's grace to them, which might express his great good-will to them. AND THE FATHER...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Colossians 1:3 thanks G2168 (G5719) God G2316 and G2532 Father G3962 our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    PAUL EXPRESSES HIS APPRECIATION OF THEM (COLOSSIANS 1:3) ‘We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.' ‘We give thanks.' An indication of his confidence in the faith of the Colossians...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Colossians 1:3. WE GIVE THANKS, etc. The Apostle usually begins with thanksgiving; comp. his earliest Epistle (1 Thessalonians 1:2) which exactly corresponds. The plural (‘we') is probably occasioned...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    I. _The Apostle's Thanksgiving for the Faith and Love of his Readers._ This section might be termed ‘introductory,' because of its personal character. Yet even here the doctrinal motive is apparent P...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    I. DOCTRINAL PART: CHRIST THE HEAD OF ALL THINGS. This division of the Epistle resembles the doctrinal part of Ephesians (chaps, 1-3.); but here the Person of Christ is more prominent; there Christ as...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    GOD THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (τω θεω πατρ του κυριου ημων Ιησου Χριστου). Correct text without κα (and) as in Colossians 3:17, though usually "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Colossians 1:1. _Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Apostolic greeting and prayer. The superiority of Christ. His reconciling work. The mystery of His indwelling. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Paul, Timothy, Epaphras. CONCLUSION: He...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Colossians 1:1. _Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ._ This is noticed in 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2. He generally opens his addresses to the churches much in the same form of benediction, for...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    WE ALWAYS GIVE THANKS. Both Paul and Timothy made a regular habit of prayer for all the churches in their care....

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God._ The assertion of St. Paul that the afflictions of the faithful “work together for good” is verified by constant experience (Romans 8:28; Psalms 11...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ._ THE PRELUDE I. A thankful recognition of Christian excellence as introductory to warnings and remonstrances. Almost all Paul’s Epistles b...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 1:3 Thanksgiving. Paul thanks God for the Colossians and their expressions of faith, hope, and love. ⇐...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:3. WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD.—The apostle here, as usual, gives credit for all that is worthy in his readers, though the tidings from Colossæ had been disqui...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION COLOSSIANS 1:1 SECTION I. INTRODUCTION. The Epistle commences, in St. Paul's manner, with a _salutation _(Colossians 1:1, Colossians 1:

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn in our Bibles tonight to Colossians, chapter one. The city of Colosse, was in the area known as Pergia, a part of Asia Minor. A couple of other churches are greeted by Paul in this epist...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:16;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    And the Father. Some of the best texts omit and. So Rev. The form with and is the more common. Compare ch. 3 17. Praying always for you. Rather connect always with we give thanks, and render we give...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    VISIONS OF GOD'S PURPOSES IN CHRIST Colossians 1:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS As an introduction to our study in the Pauline Epistle to the Colossians, we thought it would be worth the while to observe Pau...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    We give thanks — There is a near resemblance between this epistle, and those to the Ephesians and Philippians....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Our apostle, to give the Colossians. full assurance of the firmness of his love unto them, acquaints them, that himself and Timothy, from the time they heard of their conversion, did never to give sol...

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Old Testament