(1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy 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 fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; (8) Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
I do not think it necessary to dwell particularly on the several things contained in these verses, very blessed as they are, and full of instruction; having noticed much to the same purpose, in the Apostle's former Epistles, at their opening. I would only once again beg the Reader not to overlook, that here, as in all others of Paul's inspired writings, they are directed to the Church of God, and to that Church only. Had this grand point been all along attended to, in all ages of the Church, we should not have heard so many arguments brought forward of exhortations from those writings, to the ungodly, and carnal world. Offers of Christ, and invitations to come to Christ, instead of simply preaching Christ, and leaving God the Spirit to persuade sinners to accept Christ, would not have been so common as they are. Paul's Epistles on this point, are plain enough. They are sent to the saints, and faithful brethren; as this Epistle to the Colossians is. Paul knew how high they stand in the value of Christ He calls them the excellent of the earth, in whom is all his delight. Psalms 16:3. And it is of such only it is said, that the Lord hath pleasure in his people: and that he will beautify the meek with salvation, Psalms 149:4. And the thanks which Paul gives to God on their account, of this Church of the Colossians, is on the same ground; for their faith in Christ Jesus, and the love to all the saints.