Colossians 1:3 kjv

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

Colossians 1:3 nkjv

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

Colossians 1:3 niv

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

Colossians 1:3 esv

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

Colossians 1:3 nlt

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

Colossians 1 verses

Colossians 1 3 Meaning

Colossians 1:3 expresses the apostles' constant gratitude to God, who is identified as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. It highlights that this thanksgiving is inextricably linked with their persistent prayer specifically for the Colossian believers. It sets a foundational tone for the letter, demonstrating the interweaving of worship, divine relationship, and intercessory spiritual care for God's people.

Colossians 1 3 Context

Colossians chapter 1 begins with a standard Pauline salutation from Paul and Timothy to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae. Verse 3 inaugurates the prayer and thanksgiving section, a characteristic feature of Paul's letters immediately following the salutation. This thanksgiving is not mere formality but sets the theological bedrock for the rest of the epistle. The historical context involves the church in Colossae facing syncretistic teachings that undermined the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. This "Colossian Heresy" mingled elements of Jewish legalism, Gnostic tendencies (proto-Gnosticism), angel worship, and philosophical asceticism, diminishing Christ's unique mediatorial role. By opening with thanks to God, "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," Paul immediately establishes the correct object of worship and affirms the true nature of God revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ, preemptively addressing any beliefs that might lessen Christ's authority or divine nature. The constant prayer signifies genuine pastoral concern for believers challenged by these deceptive teachings.

Colossians 1 3 Word analysis

• We: Refers to Paul and Timothy (Col 1:1). This indicates a shared ministry and common mind in giving thanks and praying. It emphasizes solidarity and united pastoral concern.

• give thanks (εὐχαριστοῦμεν - eucharistoumen): Present tense, indicating continuous action. It implies a lifestyle of gratitude, not just a one-time event. The term is the root of "Eucharist" (communion/thanksgiving) in Christian tradition, signifying profound gratitude for divine blessings. It's a foundational attitude in the Christian life (1 Thes 5:18).

• to God: The direct recipient of all worship, praise, and thanksgiving. It points to the one, true, supreme Creator and Sustainer of all things (Gen 1:1, Acts 17:24).

• and the Father (Πατρὶ - Patri): This immediately links "God" with a specific relationship, that of a Father, especially in relation to Jesus Christ. It highlights a relational intimacy and authority (John 20:17). The addition emphasizes distinct roles within the Godhead, though not separate entities.

• of our Lord Jesus Christ: This phrase precisely identifies which God is being thanked – the one revealed supremely and uniquely through His Son. This is a crucial clarification, especially considering the diverse deities and spiritual practices in the Greco-Roman world and the emerging false teachings.

  • Lord (Κυρίου - Kyriou): Signifies divine sovereignty, absolute authority, and ownership. To confess Jesus as Lord means acknowledging His rightful rule over all creation and life (Phil 2:11, Rom 10:9). It aligns Him with Old Testament Yahweh.
  • Jesus: His earthly, human name, signifying "God saves" or "Yahweh is salvation" (Matt 1:21). This grounds His divine reality in historical actuality.
  • Christ (Χριστοῦ - Christou): The Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One." It refers to His appointed role as King, Prophet, and Priest, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and having cosmic significance (Acts 2:36).

• praying always (πάντοτε προσευχόμενοι - pantote proseuchomenoi): "Always" or "at all times." The Greek word pantote emphasizes persistence and consistency. "Praying" (προσευχόμενοι - proseuchomenoi) is a present active participle, indicating an ongoing action simultaneous with giving thanks. It means prayer is a continuous spiritual activity, integrated into life (1 Thes 5:17).

• for you (περὶ ὑμῶν - peri hymōn): Specifically directs the prayer and thanksgiving to the Colossian believers. This underscores the personal, pastoral, and intercessory nature of the apostles' spiritual engagement with the churches. It demonstrates love and spiritual care.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ": This phrase encapsulates the object and basis of Christian worship. It directs all thanksgiving to the one true God, specifically revealed through the relational identity of Father to the Son. It also subtly reinforces the deity and unique preeminence of Jesus Christ, vital for combating the heresies prevalent in Colossae.
  • "praying always for you": This shows the practical outworking of Christian love and spiritual stewardship. It connects their general posture of thanksgiving with specific, continuous intercession for the welfare and growth of the believers they address, highlighting a consistent pattern of pastoral prayer.

Colossians 1 3 Bonus section

Paul's practice of beginning his letters with thanksgiving for the recipients' faith and spiritual fruit served not only as genuine pastoral expression but also as a subtle rhetorical strategy. It established common ground and affirmation, preparing the recipients for any necessary exhortation, correction, or deeper theological teaching that would follow. By praising them first for what they were doing right (having faith and love, Col 1:4), he could then address the threats or challenges they faced with greater moral authority and less defensive posture from their side. This pattern reinforces the idea that genuine prayer and appreciation are foundational to robust Christian community and leadership.

Colossians 1 3 Commentary

Colossians 1:3 initiates Paul's epistle with a profound statement of gratitude and intercessory prayer, a common Pauline convention that is nonetheless deeply significant here. Paul's thanksgiving is not a mere formality but flows from a recognition of God's work in the lives of the Colossian believers, even though he had not personally met many of them (Col 2:1). The specificity of his gratitude is rooted in their faithfulness, which he mentions immediately after (Col 1:4).

The phrase "to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" is crucial. It asserts the singular object of their worship and sets the stage for the Christological arguments that will follow in the letter. By identifying God through His relationship to Jesus as "Lord" and "Christ," Paul unequivocally positions Jesus within the divine realm and establishes His supreme authority. This served as a subtle yet firm counterpoint to any developing false teachings that might attempt to diminish Christ's uniqueness or elevate other spiritual intermediaries. Paul is clear: thanksgiving and access to God are definitively through Jesus Christ.

The accompanying declaration "praying always for you" demonstrates the profound pastoral care Paul and Timothy held for these distant believers. This continuous intercession indicates the depth of their commitment and their belief in the power and necessity of persistent prayer. It implies that genuine spiritual fellowship, even across physical distance, is maintained through intercessory prayer. This pattern of intertwining thanksgiving with earnest prayer for specific individuals is a consistent hallmark of Paul's ministry and letters, revealing his priorities: glorifying God and earnestly seeking the spiritual well-being and growth of the saints.