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Thanksgiving and Prayer
2To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.3We always thankGod,the Fatherof ourLordJesusChrist,when we prayforyou,4because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints—…

Treasury of Scripture

We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

give.

Romans 1:8,9
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world…

1 Corinthians 1:4
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

Ephesians 1:15
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

praying.

Colossians 1:9,13
For this cause we also, since the day we heardit, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; …

Ephesians 3:14-19
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, …

Philippians 1:9-11
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge andin all judgment; …

AlwaysChristConstantlyContinuallyJesusMakingPraisePrayerPrayingThankThanksTimesAlwaysChristConstantlyContinuallyJesusMakingPraisePrayerPrayingThankThanksTimes1.After salutation Paul thanks God for the Colossians' faith;
7.confirms the doctrine of Epaphras;
9.prays further for their increase in grace;
14.describes the supremacy of Christ;
21.encourages them to receive Jesus Christ, and commends his own ministry.

We always thank God
This phrase emphasizes the importance of gratitude in the Christian life. The Apostle Paul consistently models thankfulness in his letters, reflecting a heart attuned to God's grace. The use of "always" suggests a continual attitude of gratitude, not just in favorable circumstances. This aligns with1 Thessalonians 5:18, which instructs believers to give thanks in all circumstances. The act of thanking God is a recognition of His sovereignty and provision.

the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
This phrase highlights the unique relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ, affirming the deity of Christ and His role in the Godhead. It underscores the Christian belief in the Trinity, where God is understood as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This relationship is foundational to Christian doctrine, as seen inJohn 1:14, where Jesus is described as the only begotten of the Father. The phrase also reflects the intimate and personal nature of God as a Father, which was a revolutionary concept in the Greco-Roman world, where gods were often seen as distant and impersonal.

when we pray for you
Paul's mention of prayer indicates the importance of intercessory prayer in the early church. It shows the apostle's pastoral concern and love for the Colossian believers, despite having never met them personally. This practice of praying for others is a key aspect of Christian fellowship and community, as seen inJames 5:16, which encourages believers to pray for one another. The phrase also suggests a regular and disciplined prayer life, which is essential for spiritual growth and connection with God.

1.Paul
The apostle who wrote the letter to the Colossians. He is expressing gratitude and prayer for the believers in Colossae.

2.Timothy
Mentioned in the opening of the letter as a co-sender, Timothy is a close companion and fellow worker with Paul.

3.Colossae
An ancient city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where the recipients of this letter, the Colossian church, were located.

4.God, the Father
The one to whom Paul directs his thanksgiving, emphasizing the relationship between God and Jesus Christ.

5.Jesus Christ
Referred to as "our Lord," highlighting His divine authority and relationship with believers.The Importance of Thanksgiving
Paul models a heart of gratitude, teaching us to regularly thank God for the faith and growth of others in the body of Christ.

Prayer as a Continuous Practice
The phrase "when we pray for you" suggests a habitual practice of prayer, encouraging believers to make intercession a regular part of their spiritual lives.

Recognizing God's Role
By thanking "God, the Father," Paul acknowledges God's sovereignty and His role in the life of the church, reminding us to give credit to God for spiritual growth and blessings.

Unity in Christ
Referring to Jesus as "our Lord" emphasizes the shared faith and unity among believers, encouraging us to focus on what unites us in Christ.

Encouragement through Prayer
Paul's prayers for the Colossians serve as an encouragement to them, showing the power of prayer in building up and supporting fellow believers.1.What is the meaning of Colossians 1:3?

2.How can we incorporate "always thank God" into our daily prayer life?

3.What does "praying always for you" teach about intercessory prayer's importance?

4.How does Colossians 1:3 connect with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 on gratitude?

5.In what ways can we express gratitude for fellow believers today?

6.How does thanking God for others strengthen our Christian community and relationships?

7.What does Colossians 1:3 reveal about the nature of Christian prayer and thanksgiving?

8.How does Colossians 1:3 emphasize the importance of gratitude in a believer's life?

9.Why is Paul thankful for the Colossians' faith in Colossians 1:3?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Colossians 1?

11.Is Jesus the sole manifestation of God in Oneness?

12.Who is Jesus to me personally?

13.What are the main themes in Colossians?

14.If Jesus is God, why does He call the Father 'the only true God' (John 17:3)?We always thank God

Paul begins by modeling a life soaked in gratitude:

• “Always” tells us thanksgiving is habitual, not occasional (cf.Ephesians 1:16, “I do not cease giving thanks for you…”).

• The object of thanks is God Himself, reminding us that every good in the church flows from Him, not human effort (James 1:17).

• Gratitude keeps our hearts warm toward fellow believers; it is hard to criticize those for whom we continually thank God (1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in every circumstance”).

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the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

By naming God this way, Paul emphasizes:

• The unique, eternal relationship within the Godhead—Jesus is truly God’s Son, not by adoption but by nature (John 17:1–5).

• Our access to the Father is anchored in Christ’s person and work (John 14:6).

• Thanksgiving rises higher when we remember we approach a loving Father rather than a distant deity (Romans 8:15, “You received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”).

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when we pray for you

Gratitude is tied to intercession:

• Paul doesn’t just think kind thoughts; he brings the Colossians before God’s throne (1 Timothy 2:1).

• Intercessory prayer unites believers across distance and circumstance (Ephesians 6:18).

• Praying “for you” shifts focus from self to others, a mark of mature discipleship (Philippians 2:4).

• Paul’s consistency challenges us: if he could carry multiple churches in prayer, we can carry a few names faithfully (James 5:16, “Pray for one another…”).

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summary

Colossians 1:3 shows a rhythm every believer can adopt: habitually thank God, approach Him as Father through Christ, and intercede for others. A thankful, Christ-centered prayer life keeps our hearts aligned with God’s purposes and knit together with His people.

(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 preached by Epaphras; there was fear now lest they should be beguiled from it, although that fear was obviously not yet realised, as had been formerly the case with the Galatians. Hence St. Paul's emphasis on their hearing, knowing, and learning the truth, and on the faithfulness of Epaphras as a minister of Christ.

(3, 4) Comp.Ephesians 1:15-16, where there is an almost exact verbal coincidence. Whatever may be the force there of the words "havingheard of your faith," clearly here they harmonise with many indications that the Colossian Church, though well known to St. Paul, was not known by personal knowledge.

Verses 3-8. - Theopening thanksgiving is full and appropriate. Its content is determined by the state of this Church, and by the apostle's relation to it through Epaphras, and his own present position.Verse 3. -We give thanks to God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.We;Timothy and I (comp.1 Thessalonians 1:2;2 Thessalonians 1:3;2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, etc.). The Revised Text omits "and" between" God" and "Father," following Lachmann, Westcott and Heft, and Lightfoot (who hesitates), on evidence numerically slight, but sufficient; especially as in every other instance of this combination the conjunction is present. "Father" is also without definite article in the better attested (Revised) reading. The words, "Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," bear, therefore, an explanatory, quasi-predicative force. St. Paul wishes his readers to understand that he gives thanks to God on their account distinctly under this aspect, regarded as"Father of Christ." He has just spokenof "our Father," and now adds, "Father of our Lord JesusChrist," suggesting that it is in this relation that we know God as"our Father," the Author of grace and peace, the Object of Christian thanksgiving. So the sovereign and exclusive mediation of Christ, the ruling idea of the whole Epistle, is thrown into bold relief at the outset; and, in this light, the unique omissions of vers. 2 and 3 explain and justify each other. This fatherhood embraces the entire Person and offices of the Son as "our Lord Jesus Christ."Praying always for you (ver. 9;Colossians 2:1-3;Philippians 1:4;Romans 1:9). The apostle had known from the first of the existence of this Church; and had already been in communication with it (see Introduction, § 2). He had, therefore, a general prayerful interest in the Colossians (2 Corinthians 11:28), that has been quickened to joyful thanksgiving (Colossians 2:5; comp.1 Thessalonians 3:6-10) by the arrival of Epaphras. "Always" and"for you" - either or both of the phrases - may be joined grammatically to"we give thanks" or to "praying:" the latter connection is preferable (see Alford or Ellicott); similarly inPhilemon 1:4; inEphesians 1:16 the turn of expression is different.

Parallel Commentaries ...


We always thank
Εὐχαριστοῦμεν(Eucharistoumen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2168:From eucharistos; to be grateful, i.e. to express gratitude; specially, to say grace at a meal.

God,
Θεῷ(Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

[the] Father
Πατρὶ(Patri)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962:Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

of our
ἡμῶν(hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Lord
Κυρίου(Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦ(Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

Christ,
Χριστοῦ(Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547:Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

when we pray
προσευχόμενοι(proseuchomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4336:To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.

for
περὶ(peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012:From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

you,
ὑμῶν(hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.


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NT Letters: Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to God the Father (Coloss. Col Co)