Colossians 1

Colossians 1:1-29 . ADDRESS: INTRODUCTION: CONFIRMING EPAPHRAS' TEACHING: THE GLORIES OF CHRIST: THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER FOR THE COLOSSIANS: HIS OWN MINISTRY OF THE MYSTERY.

1. by the will of God--Greek, "through," &c. (compare Note,
Timothy--(Compare Notes, He had been companion of Paul in his first tour through Phrygia, in which Colosse was. Hence the Colossians seem to have associated him with Paul in their affections, and the apostle joins him with himself in the address. Neither, probably, had seen the Colossian Church (compare Colossians 2:1 ); but had seen, during their tour through Phrygia, individual Colossians, as Epaphras, Philemon, Archippus, and Apphia ( Philemon 1:2 ), who when converted brought the Gospel to their native city.

2. Colosse--written in the oldest manuscripts, "Colasse." As "saints" implies union with God, so "the faithful brethren" union with Christian men [BENGEL].
and the Lord Jesus Christ--supported by some oldest manuscripts omitted by others of equal antiquity.

3. Thanksgiving for the "faith, hope, and love" of the Colossians. So in the twin Epistle sent at the same time and by the same bearer, Tychicus ( Ephesians 1:15 Ephesians 1:16 ).
We--I and Timothy.
and the Father--So some of the oldest manuscripts read. But others better omit the "and," which probably crept in from Ephesians 1:3 .
praying always for you--with thanksgiving ( Philippians 4:6 ). See Colossians 1:4 .

4. Since we heard--literally, "Having heard." The language implies that he had only heard of, and not seen, them ( Colossians 2:1 ). Compare Romans 1:8 , where like language is used of a Church which he had not at the time visited.
love . . . to all--the absent, as well as those present [BENGEL].

5. For--to be joined with the words immediately preceding: "The love which ye have to all the saints because of (literally, 'on account of') the hope," &c. The hope of eternal life will never be in us an inactive principle but will always produce "love." This passage is abused by Romanists, as if the hope of salvation depended upon works. A false argument. It does not follow that our hope is founded on our works because we are strongly stimulated to live well; since nothing is more effectual for this purpose than the sense of God's free grace [CALVIN].
laid up--a treasure laid up so as to be out of danger of being lost ( 2 Timothy 4:8 ). Faith, love, and hope ( Colossians 1:4 Colossians 1:5 ), comprise the sum of Christianity. Compare Colossians 1:23 , "the hope of the Gospel."
in heaven--Greek, "in the heavens."
whereof ye heard before--namely, at the time when it was preached to you.
in the word, &c.--That "hope" formed part of "the word of the truth of the Gospel" (compare Ephesians 1:13 ), that is, part of the Gospel truth preached unto you.