Col 1:3-8 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 3. We give thanks to God . . Praying always for you . ; . Comp. (d) "We give thanks"

Colossians 1:3-8

Verse 3. We give thanks to God. Eph 1:15.

Praying always for you. Rom 1:9; Eph 1:16. Comp. 1Thes 1:2

(d) "We give thanks" Eph 1:15,16 Verse 4. Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus. To wit, by Epaphras, who had informed Paul of the steadfastness of their faith and love, Col 1:7,8. This does not prove that Paul had never been at Colosse, or that he did not establish the church there, for he uses a similar expression respecting the church at Ephesus, Eph 1:15, of which he was undoubtedly the founder. The meaning is, that he had heard of their faith at that time, or of their perseverance in faith and love.

Which ye have to all the saints. In what way they had manifested this is not known. It would seem that Paul had been informed that this was a character of their piety, that they had remarkable love for all who bore the Christian name. Nothing could be more acceptable information respecting them to one who himself so ardently loved the church; and nothing could have furnished better evidence that they were influenced by the true spirit of religion. 1Jn 3:4. Verse 5. For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven. That is, "I give thanks that there is such a hope laid up for you." The evidence which he had that this hope was theirs, was founded on the faith and love to the saints which he heard they had evinced. He fully believed that where there was such faith and love, there was a well-founded hope of heaven. The word "hope" here is used, as it often is, for the thing hoped for. The object of hope--to wit, eternal happiness--was reserved for them in heaven.

Whereof ye heard before. When the gospel was first preached to you. You were told of the blessed rewards of a life of faith in heaven.

In the word of the truth of the gospel. In the true word of the gospel.

(e) "laid up for you" 2Ti 4:8, 1Pet 1:4 Verse 6. Which is come unto you. It has not been confined to the Jews, or limited to the narrow country where it was first preached, but has been sent abroad to the Gentile world. The object of the apostle here seems to be, to excite in them a sense of gratitude that the gospel had been sent to them. It was owing entirely to the goodness of God in sending them the gospel that they had this hope of eternal life.

As it is in all the world. It is confined to no place or people, but is designed to be a universal religion. It offers the same blessedness ill heaven to all. Col 1:23.

And bringing forth fruit. The fruits of righteousness or good living. 2Cor 9:10. The meaning is, that the gospel was not without effect wherever it was preached. The same results were observable everywhere else as in Colosse, that it produced most salutary influences on the hearts and lives of those who received it. On the nature of the "fruits" of religion, Gall 5:22. Gall 5:23.

Since the day ye heard of it. It has constantly been producing these fruits since you first heard it preached.

And knew the grace of God in truth. Since the time ye knew the true grace of God; since you became acquainted with the real benevolence which God has manifested in the gospel. The meaning is, that ever since they had heard the gospel it had been producing among them abundantly its appropriate fruit, and that the same thing had also characterized it wherever it had been dispensed.

(f) "all the world" Col 1:23 (g) "forth fruit" Jn 15:16 (h) "ye heard of it" Romm 10:17 (i) "the grace" Tit 2:11,12 (k) "in truth" Jn 4:23 Verse 7. As ye also learned of Epaphras. Epaphras was then with Paul, Phm 1:23. He had probably been sent to him by the church at Colosse to consult him in reference to some matters pertaining to the church there. It is evident from this, that Epaphras was a minister of the church at Colosse, though there is no evidence, as has been often supposed, that he was the founder of the church. The apostle here says, that they had learned from Epaphras the true nature of the gospel; and he designs undoubtedly to confirm what he had taught them, in opposition to the teachings of errorists. See the Introduction, 4. He had doubtless conferred with Epaphras respecting the doctrines which he had taught there.

Our dear fellow-servant.This shows that Paul had contracted a strong friendship for Epaphras. There is no reason to believe that he had known him before, but his acquaintance with him now had served to attach him strongly to him. It is possible, as has been conjectured, (see the Introduction,) that there was a party in the church at Colosse opposed to Epaphras and to the doctrines which he preached; and if this were so, Paul's strong expression of attachment for him would do much to silence the opposition.

Who is for you a faithful minister of Christ. "For you," when he is with you, and in managing your interests here.

(l) "learned of Epaphras" Phm 1:23 Verse 8. Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. The love wrought in you by the Holy Spirit. It was not mere natural affection, but love wrought in their hearts by the agency of the Holy Ghost.

(a) "love in the Spirit" Romm 15:30