Colossians 1:4
Verse
Context
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,4because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints—5the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel
Sermons
Bill McLeod
William Edwin Boardman
W.H. Griffith Thomas
Theodore EppW.H. Griffith ThomasSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Since we heard of your faith - This is very similar to Eph 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Since we heard--literally, "Having heard." The language implies that he had only heard of, and not seen, them (Col 2:1). Compare Rom 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].
John Gill Bible Commentary
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 any mere man, but Christ for its object; by which they looked unto him as a Saviour, went unto him as such, ventured on him, committed themselves unto him, leaned and relied upon him; that grace which comes from him, has him for its author and finisher, and returns unto him, and lives on him. This Paul and Timothy had heard of by their minister Epaphras; and it shows that they made no secret of it, did not keep it to themselves, but declared, confessed, and published it to others, as is the duty of all believers to do; and thanks being given for it to God, makes it a clear point that it was not of themselves, but was the gift of God, otherwise there would have been no need of thankfulness for it; as also, that it is a very eminent grace, and of great use and service to such who are possessed of it, And of love which ye have to all the saints; this is another thing for which thanks are given to God. The object of this grace are "saints"; all men indeed are to be loved, and even our very enemies; and good is to be done to all, but especially to holy and good men, to the household of faith; and these are "all" to be loved and respected; nor is any respect or difference of persons to be made on account of country, or natural relation, as Jews or Gentiles, or of outward state and condition, as rich or poor, bond or free, or of greater or lesser gifts and grace, weak or strong believers, or of different sentiments in the lesser matters of religion. It denotes both the grace of love itself, which is a fruit of the Spirit implanted in regeneration, and is an evidence of the new birth, and always is where true faith in Christ is, for faith works by it; and also the effects of it, which lies not in bare words, in expressions of spiritual affection and friendship, but in deeds, by serving one another in love, by relieving in necessity, sympathizing in distress, praying with and for one another, and the like; all which these saints were famous for.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:4 God’s people (literally holy ones, or saints): In the New Testament, all Christians are saints, people who have been specially set apart by God as his own holy people (3:12).
Colossians 1:4
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,4because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints—5the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Love
By Bill McLeod80842:16LoveROM 13:8ROM 13:10EPH 1:15COL 1:41TI 1:51JN 4:81JN 4:16In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a man named Justin who led a member of a notorious gang to Christ without knowing his identity. Later, the gang members confront Justin and physically assault him as a punishment. Despite this, Justin continues to show love and kindness to his neighbors, even when they reject him. The speaker emphasizes that love is the answer to dealing with evil and that God's nature is love. The sermon references Bible verses from Romans and 1 John to support the message.
The Christian Life
By William Edwin Boardman0ROM 5:51CO 13:13EPH 2:8COL 1:41TH 1:3HEB 11:1William Edwin Boardman preaches about the abiding graces and forces of the Christian life, emphasizing the importance of learning to live by the true principles of faith, hope, and charity, not just when facing death. He highlights how these graces and forces, graciously given by God, are essential for the development and progress of the Divine Life in the soul, leading to transformation and outreach to a dark world. Boardman discusses how faith, hope, and charity work together, with faith being the foundation that sustains and develops the Christian life, while hope looks towards the future and love is the fruit of faith. Through the example of a miner in Potosi, he illustrates the power of faith as both the evidence of unseen present realities and the substance of hoped-for future glories, showing how faith in God's wisdom and love sustains believers through trials and privations.
Faith, Love and Hope
By W.H. Griffith Thomas0ROM 10:171CO 13:13COL 1:4TIT 2:13HEB 11:1W.H. Griffith Thomas emphasizes the importance of faith, love, and hope in the Christian life, highlighting how faith looks backward and upward, love looks outward, and hope looks forward. While faith accepts and love works, hope presses toward the future, especially in anticipation of the coming of the Lord. Faith is rooted in a person who promises, while hope is focused on the fulfillment of those promises, making them essential components of a complete Christian life.
Present Effects of the "Blessed Hope"
By H.J. Vine02CO 3:18COL 1:41TH 5:23HEB 10:251JN 3:3H.J. Vine preaches on the practical results of embracing the truth of the Lord's Second Coming, likening it to the anticipation of a loved one's return. The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of this hope, leading to love for all saints, personal purity, and a sense of unity and encouragement among believers as they await Christ's return.
What Do You Believe In?
By Theodore Epp0SalvationFaith in ChristACT 16:31GAL 2:21EPH 2:8COL 1:4Theodore Epp emphasizes the significance of having faith in the right object, which is Jesus Christ, rather than merely having faith in faith itself. He commends the Colossians for their faith in Christ, highlighting that true belief must be rooted in the understanding of Christ's sacrificial death for our sins. Epp stresses that faith in Jesus is essential not only for salvation but also for spiritual growth, as it acknowledges our need for His grace and forgiveness. He concludes that saving faith is a total commitment to Jesus as our Lord and life.
Hope Laid Up for You in Heaven
By W.H. Griffith Thomas0PSA 31:19PRO 2:7LUK 19:20COL 1:42TI 4:8HEB 9:27W.H. Griffith Thomas emphasizes the importance of hope in the Christian faith, as mentioned in Colossians 1:4-5, where believers are encouraged to look forward to the hope laid up for them in heaven. This hope is not just wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in the promise of God's goodness and wisdom, as seen in various biblical references. The sermon highlights that true Christian hope is a result of our union with God in Christ, with its focus on the glorious return of Jesus and the eternal joys of heaven.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Since we heard of your faith - This is very similar to Eph 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Since we heard--literally, "Having heard." The language implies that he had only heard of, and not seen, them (Col 2:1). Compare Rom 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].
John Gill Bible Commentary
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 any mere man, but Christ for its object; by which they looked unto him as a Saviour, went unto him as such, ventured on him, committed themselves unto him, leaned and relied upon him; that grace which comes from him, has him for its author and finisher, and returns unto him, and lives on him. This Paul and Timothy had heard of by their minister Epaphras; and it shows that they made no secret of it, did not keep it to themselves, but declared, confessed, and published it to others, as is the duty of all believers to do; and thanks being given for it to God, makes it a clear point that it was not of themselves, but was the gift of God, otherwise there would have been no need of thankfulness for it; as also, that it is a very eminent grace, and of great use and service to such who are possessed of it, And of love which ye have to all the saints; this is another thing for which thanks are given to God. The object of this grace are "saints"; all men indeed are to be loved, and even our very enemies; and good is to be done to all, but especially to holy and good men, to the household of faith; and these are "all" to be loved and respected; nor is any respect or difference of persons to be made on account of country, or natural relation, as Jews or Gentiles, or of outward state and condition, as rich or poor, bond or free, or of greater or lesser gifts and grace, weak or strong believers, or of different sentiments in the lesser matters of religion. It denotes both the grace of love itself, which is a fruit of the Spirit implanted in regeneration, and is an evidence of the new birth, and always is where true faith in Christ is, for faith works by it; and also the effects of it, which lies not in bare words, in expressions of spiritual affection and friendship, but in deeds, by serving one another in love, by relieving in necessity, sympathizing in distress, praying with and for one another, and the like; all which these saints were famous for.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:4 God’s people (literally holy ones, or saints): In the New Testament, all Christians are saints, people who have been specially set apart by God as his own holy people (3:12).