11 Paul , an apostle of Jesus Christ [1] by the will of God , and Timothy [2]our brother , 2 To the [3] saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae : Grace to you and peace from God our Father .
3 We give thanks to God , the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have [4]for all the [5]saints ; 5 because of the hope laid up for you in [6]heaven , of which you previously heard in the word of truth , [7]the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as [8] in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and [9]increasing , even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and [10]understood the grace of God in truth ; 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras , our beloved fellow bond-servant , who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf , 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Colossians 1:1-8
Commentary on Colossians 1:1-8
(Read Colossians 1:1-8)
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 Christian life, and proper matter for prayer and thanksgiving. The more we fix our hopes on the reward in the other world, the more free shall we be in doing good with our earthly treasure. It was treasured up for them, no enemy could deprive them of it. The gospel is the word of truth, and we may safely venture our souls upon it. And all who hear the word of the gospel, ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, obey it, and have their principles and lives formed according to it. Worldly love arises, either from views of interest or from likeness in manners; carnal love, from the appetite for pleasure. To these, something corrupt, selfish, and base always cleaves. But Christian love arises from the Holy Spirit, and is full of holiness.