1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, 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;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
1 Paul, G3972 an apostle G652 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 by G1223 the will G2307 of God, G2316 and G2532 Timotheus G5095 our brother, G80
2 To the saints G40 and G2532 faithful G4103 brethren G80 in G1722 Christ G5547 which are at G1722 Colosse: G2857 Grace G5485 be unto you, G5213 and G2532 peace, G1515 from G575 God G2316 our G2257 Father G3962 and G2532 the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547
3 We give thanks G2168 to God G2316 and G2532 the Father G3962 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 praying G4336 always G3842 for G4012 you, G5216
4 Since we heard G191 of your G5216 faith G4102 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus, G2424 and G2532 of the love G26 which G3588 ye have to G1519 all G3956 the saints, G40
5 For G1223 the hope G1680 which G3588 is laid up G606 for you G5213 in G1722 heaven, G3772 whereof G3739 ye heard before G4257 in G1722 the word G3056 of the truth G225 of the gospel; G2098
6 Which G3588 is come G3918 unto G1519 you, G5209 as G2531 G2532 it is in G1722 all G3956 the world; G2889 and G2532 bringeth forth fruit, G2076 G2592 as G2531 it doth also G2532 in G1722 you, G5213 since G575 the G3739 day G2250 ye heard G191 of it, and G2532 knew G1921 the grace G5485 of God G2316 in G1722 truth: G225
7 As G2531 ye G3129 also G2532 learned G3129 of G575 Epaphras G1889 our G2257 dear G27 fellowservant, G4889 who G3739 is G2076 for G5228 you G5216 a faithful G4103 minister G1249 of Christ; G5547
8 Who G3588 also G2532 declared G1213 unto us G2254 your G5216 love G26 in G1722 the Spirit. G4151
9 For G1223 this cause G5124 we G2249 also, G2532 since G575 the G3739 day G2250 we heard G191 it, do G3973 not G3756 cease G3973 to pray G4336 for G5228 you, G5216 and G2532 to desire G154 that G2443 ye might be filled G4137 with the knowledge G1922 of his G846 will G2307 in G1722 all G3956 wisdom G4678 and G2532 spiritual G4152 understanding; G4907
10 That ye G5209 might walk G4043 worthy G516 of the Lord G2962 unto G1519 all G3956 pleasing, G699 being fruitful G2592 in G1722 every G3956 good G18 work, G2041 and G2532 increasing G837 in G1519 the knowledge G1922 of God; G2316
11 Strengthened G1412 with G1722 all G3956 might, G1411 according to G2596 his G846 glorious G1391 power, G2904 unto G1519 all G3956 patience G5281 and G2532 longsuffering G3115 with G3326 joyfulness; G5479
12 Giving thanks G2168 unto the Father, G3962 which G3588 hath made G2427 us G2248 meet G2427 to G1519 be partakers G3310 of the inheritance G2819 of the saints G40 in G1722 light: G5457
13 Who G3739 hath delivered G4506 us G2248 from G1537 the power G1849 of darkness, G4655 and G2532 hath translated G3179 us into G1519 the kingdom G932 of his G846 dear G26 Son: G5207
14 In G1722 whom G3739 we have G2192 redemption G629 through G1223 his G846 blood, G129 even the forgiveness G859 of sins: G266
15 Who G3739 is G2076 the image G1504 of the invisible G517 God, G2316 the firstborn G4416 of every G3956 creature: G2937
16 For G3754 by G1722 him G846 were G2936 all things G3956 created, G2936 that are in G1722 heaven, G3772 and G2532 that are in G1909 earth, G1093 visible G3707 and G2532 invisible, G517 whether G1535 they be thrones, G2362 or G1535 dominions, G2963 or G1535 principalities, G746 or G1535 powers: G1849 all things G3956 were created G2936 by G1223 him, G846 and G2532 for G1519 him: G846
17 And G2532 he G846 is G2076 before G4253 all things, G3956 and G2532 by G1722 him G846 all things G3956 consist. G4921
18 And G2532 he G846 is G2076 the head G2776 of the body, G4983 the church: G1577 who G3739 is G2076 the beginning, G746 the firstborn G4416 from G1537 the dead; G3498 that G2443 in G1722 all G3956 things he G846 might have G1096 the preeminence. G4409
19 For it pleased G2106 the Father that G3754 in G1722 him G846 should G2730 all G3956 fulness G4138 dwell; G2730
20 And, G2532 having made peace G1517 through G1223 the blood G129 of his G846 cross, G4716 by G1223 him G846 to reconcile G604 all things G3956 unto G1519 himself; G846 by G1223 him, G846 I say, whether G1535 they be things in G1909 earth, G1093 or G1535 things in G1722 heaven. G3772
21 And G2532 you, G5209 that were G5607 sometime G4218 alienated G526 and G2532 enemies G2190 in your mind G1271 by G1722 wicked G4190 works, G2041 yet G1161 now G3570 hath he reconciled G604
22 In G1722 the body G4983 of his G846 flesh G4561 through G1223 death, G2288 to present G3936 you G5209 holy G40 and G2532 unblameable G299 and G2532 unreproveable G410 in his G846 sight: G2714
23 If G1489 ye continue G1961 in the faith G4102 grounded G2311 and G2532 settled, G1476 and G2532 be not G3361 moved away G3334 from G575 the hope G1680 of the gospel, G2098 which G3739 ye have heard, G191 and which G3588 was preached G2784 to G1722 every G3956 creature G2937 which is under G5259 heaven; G3772 whereof G3739 I G1473 Paul G3972 am made G1096 a minister; G1249
24 Who G3739 now G3568 rejoice G5463 in G1722 my G3450 sufferings G3804 for G5228 you, G5216 and G2532 fill up G466 that which is behind G5303 of the afflictions G2347 of Christ G5547 in G1722 my G3450 flesh G4561 for G5228 his G846 body's G4983 sake, G5228 which is G3603 the church: G1577
25 Whereof G3739 I G1473 am made G1096 a minister, G1249 according to G2596 the dispensation G3622 of God G2316 which G3588 is given G1325 to me G3427 for G1519 you, G5209 to fulfil G4137 the word G3056 of God; G2316
26 Even the mystery G3466 which G3588 hath been hid G613 from G575 ages G165 and G2532 from G575 generations, G1074 but G1161 now G3570 is made manifest G5319 to his G846 saints: G40
27 To whom G3739 God G2316 would G2309 make known G1107 what G5101 is the riches G4149 of the glory G1391 of this G5127 mystery G3466 among G1722 the Gentiles; G1484 which G3739 is G2076 Christ G5547 in G1722 you, G5213 the hope G1680 of glory: G1391
28 Whom G3739 we G2249 preach, G2605 warning G3560 every G3956 man, G444 and G2532 teaching G1321 every G3956 man G444 in G1722 all G3956 wisdom; G4678 that G2443 we may present G3936 every G3956 man G444 perfect G5046 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus: G2424
29 Whereunto G1519 G3739 I G2872 also G2532 labour, G2872 striving G75 according to G2596 his G846 working, G1753 which G3588 worketh G1754 in G1722 me G1698 mightily. G1722 G1411
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ `that 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 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have toward all the saints,
5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
6 which is come unto you; even as it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing, as `it doth' in you also, since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
7 even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
8 who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard `it', do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;
12 giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;
13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;
14 in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins:
15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;
16 for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him;
17 and he is before all things, and in him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it was the good pleasure `of the Father' that in him should all the fulness dwell;
20 and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, `I say', whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.
21 And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works,
22 yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him:
23 if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church;
25 whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God,
26 `even' the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,
27 to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;
29 whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Timotheus the brother,
2 to the saints in Colossae, and to the faithful brethren in Christ: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!
3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always praying for you,
4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love that `is' to all the saints,
5 because of the hope that is laid up for you in the heavens, which ye heard of before in the word of the truth of the good news,
6 which is present to you, as also in all the world, and is bearing fruit, as also in you, from the day in which ye heard, and knew the grace of God in truth;
7 as ye also learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful ministrant of the Christ,
8 who also did declare to us your love in the Spirit.
9 Because of this, we also, from the day in which we heard, do not cease praying for you, and asking that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
10 to your walking worthily of the Lord to all pleasing, in every good work being fruitful, and increasing to the knowledge of God,
11 in all might being made mighty according to the power of His glory, to all endurance and long-suffering with joy.
12 Giving thanks to the Father who did make us meet for the participation of the inheritance of the saints in the light,
13 who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate `us' into the reign of the Son of His love,
14 in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of the sins,
15 who is the image of the invisible God, first-born of all creation,
16 because in him were the all things created, those in the heavens, and those upon the earth, those visible, and those invisible, whether thrones, whether lordships, whether principalities, whether authorities; all things through him, and for him, have been created,
17 and himself is before all, and the all things in him have consisted.
18 And himself is the head of the body -- the assembly -- who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead, that he might become in all `things' -- himself -- first,
19 because in him it did please all the fulness to tabernacle,
20 and through him to reconcile the all things to himself -- having made peace through the blood of his cross -- through him, whether the things upon the earth, whether the things in the heavens.
21 And you -- once being alienated, and enemies in the mind, in the evil works, yet now did he reconcile,
22 in the body of his flesh through the death, to present you holy, and unblemished, and unblameable before himself,
23 if also ye remain in the faith, being founded and settled, and not moved away from the hope of the good news, which ye heard, which was preached in all the creation that `is' under the heaven, of which I became -- I Paul -- a ministrant.
24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and do fill up the things lacking of the tribulations of the Christ in my flesh for his body, which is the assembly,
25 of which I -- I did become a ministrant according to the dispensation of God, that was given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God,
26 the secret that hath been hid from the ages and from the generations, but now was manifested to his saints,
27 to whom God did will to make known what `is' the riches of the glory of this secret among the nations -- which is Christ in you, the hope of the glory,
28 whom we proclaim, warning every man, and teaching every man, in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus,
29 for which also I labour, striving according to his working that is working in me in power.
1 Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus, by God's will, and Timotheus the brother,
2 to the holy and faithful brethren in Christ which [are] in Colosse. Grace to you and peace from God our Father [and Lord Jesus Christ].
3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ continually [when] praying for you,
4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love which ye have towards all the saints,
5 on account of the hope which [is] laid up for you in the heavens; of which ye heard before in the word of the truth of the glad tidings,
6 which are come to you, as [they are] in all the world, [and] are bearing fruit and growing, even as also among you, from the day ye heard [them] and knew indeed the grace of God, in truth:
7 even as ye learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-bondman, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you,
8 who has also manifested to us your love in [the] Spirit.
9 For this reason *we* also, from the day we heard [of your faith and love], do not cease praying and asking for you, to the end that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
10 [so as] to walk worthily of the Lord unto all well-pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing by the true knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all power according to the might of his glory unto all endurance and longsuffering with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has made us fit for sharing the portion of the saints in light,
13 who has delivered us from the authority of darkness, and translated [us] into the kingdom of the Son of his love:
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins;
15 who is image of the invisible God, firstborn of all creation;
16 because by him were created all things, the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or authorities: all things have been created by him and for him.
17 And *he* is before all, and all things subsist together by him.
18 And *he* is the head of the body, the assembly; who is [the] beginning, firstborn from among the dead, that *he* might have the first place in all things:
19 for in him all the fulness [of the Godhead] was pleased to dwell,
20 and by him to reconcile all things to itself, having made peace by the blood of his cross -- by him, whether the things on the earth or the things in the heavens.
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in mind by wicked works, yet now has it reconciled
22 in the body of his flesh through death; to present you holy and unblamable and irreproachable before it,
23 if indeed ye abide in the faith founded and firm, and not moved away from the hope of the glad tidings, which ye have heard, which have been proclaimed in the whole creation which [is] under heaven, of which *I* Paul became minister.
24 Now, I rejoice in sufferings for you, and I fill up that which is behind of the tribulations of Christ in my flesh, for his body, which is the assembly;
25 of which *I* became minister, according to the dispensation of God which [is] given me towards you to complete the word of God,
26 the mystery which [has been] hidden from ages and from generations, but has now been made manifest to his saints;
27 to whom God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you the hope of glory:
28 whom *we* announce, admonishing every man, and teaching every man, in all wisdom, to the end that we may present every man perfect in Christ.
29 Whereunto also I toil, combating according to his working, which works in me in power.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 to the saints and faithful brothers{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints,
5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel,
6 which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
7 even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don't cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;
13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;
14 in whom we have our redemption,{TR adds "through his blood,"} the forgiveness of our sins;
15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by him were all things created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
18 He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him;
20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.
21 You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works,
22 yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him,
23 if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the assembly;
25 of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God,
26 the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,
27 to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;
28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;
29 for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
1 Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the purpose of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and true brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3 We give praise to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, making prayer for you at all times,
4 After hearing of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have for all the saints,
5 Through the hope which is in store for you in heaven; knowledge of which was given to you before in the true word of the good news,
6 Which has come to you; and which in all the world is giving fruit and increase, as it has done in you from the day when it came to your ears and you had true knowledge of the grace of God;
7 As it was given to you by Epaphras, our well-loved helper, who is a true servant of Christ for us,
8 And who, himself, made clear to us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this reason, we, from the day when we had word of it, keep on in prayer for you, that you may be full of the knowledge of his purpose, with all wisdom and experience of the Spirit,
10 Living uprightly in the approval of the Lord, giving fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Full of strength in the measure of the great power of his glory, so that you may undergo all troubles with joy;
12 Giving praise to the Father who has given us a part in the heritage of the saints in light;
13 Who has made us free from the power of evil and given us a place in the kingdom of the Son of his love;
14 In whom we have our salvation, the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the unseen God coming into existence before all living things;
16 For by him all things were made, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, authorities, lords, rulers, and powers; all things were made by him and for him;
17 He is before all things, and in him all things have being.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: the starting point of all things, the first to come again from the dead; so that in all things he might have the chief place.
19 For God in full measure was pleased to be in him;
20 Through him uniting all things with himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, uniting all things which are on earth or in heaven.
21 And you, who in the past were cut off and at war with God in your minds through evil works, he has now made one
22 In the body of his flesh through death, so that you might be holy and without sin and free from all evil before him:
23 If you keep yourselves safely based in the faith, not moved from the hope of the good news which came to you, and which was given to every living being under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.
24 Now I have joy in my pain because of you, and in my flesh I undergo whatever is still needed to make the sorrows of Christ complete, for the salvation of his body, the church;
25 Of which I became a servant by the purpose of God which was given to me for you, to give effect to the word of God,
26 The secret which has been kept from all times and generations, but has now been made clear to his saints,
27 To whom God was pleased to give knowledge of the wealth of the glory of this secret among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we are preaching; guiding and teaching every man in all wisdom, so that every man may be complete in Christ;
29 And for this purpose I am working, using all my strength by the help of his power which is working in me strongly.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Colossians 1
Commentary on Colossians 1 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 1
We have here,
Col 1:1-2
Col 1:3-8
Here he proceeds to the body of the epistle, and begins with thanksgiving to God for what he had heard concerning them, though he had no personal acquaintance with them, and knew their state and character only by the reports of others.
Col 1:9-11
The apostle proceeds in these verses to pray for them. He heard that they were good, and he prayed that they might be better. He was constant in this prayer: We do not cease to pray for you. It may be he could hear of them but seldom, but he constantly prayed for them.-And desire that you may be filled with the knowledge, etc. Observe what it is that he begs of God for them,
Col 1:12-29
Here is a summary of the doctrine of the gospel concerning the great work of our redemption by Christ. It comes in here not as the matter of a sermon, but as the matter of a thanksgiving; for our salvation by Christ furnishes us with abundant matter of thanksgiving in every view of it: Giving thanks unto the Father, v. 12. He does not discourse of the work of redemption in the natural order of it; for then he would speak of the purchase of it first, and afterwards of the application of it. But here he inverts the order, because, in our sense and feeling of it, the application goes before the purchase. We first find the benefits of redemption in our hearts, and then are led by those streams to the original and fountain-head. The order and connection of the apostle's discourse may be considered in the following manner:-