Colossians 3:17 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

And whatsoever ye do: here the apostle give a universal direction how in every capacity, both personal and relative, in every motion, a Christian may do all so as to find acceptance with God. In word or deed; and that is in his expressions and actings, viz. comprehending his internal as well as external operations; his reasonings and resolutions within, as well as his motions without; the thoughts of his heart, as well as the words of his tongue and the works of his hand; to take (care as much as possible that all be in the name of the Lord Jesus: elsewhere writing the same thing, the apostle adds Christ, Ephesians 5:20. Plato could say: Not only every word, but every thought, should take its beginning from God; but he understood nothing of the Mediator, of the love of him and the Father: but Christians know, as there is salvation in no other name, Acts 4:12, so there is no acceptance of their persons and performances in any other name than in his in whom they believe, Philippians 2:10 Hebrews 10:19,20 1 John 5:13; and therefore in all their desires they are to respect him, 1 Thessalonians 14:13,14 1 Thessalonians 15:3,16 16:23,26; looking for his authority and warrant, Matthew 18:18-20 Mark 11:9 1 John 5:14; following his example, Matthew 2:29; Matthew 11:24 1 Thessalonians 13:15 1 Peter 2:21-24 1 John 2:6; in all they set about, desiring strength from him, Psalms 71:17 Acts 4:7,10 1 Corinthians 15:10 Philippians 4:13 2 Timothy 2:1; living by faith upon him, Galatians 2:20 Hebrews 10:38 2 Peter 1:2,3; waiting upon him, worshipping and serving of him, according to his prescription, Micah 4:5 Matthew 28:19,20 Ac 2:42,43 2 Timothy 2:19; for his sake, Matthew 2:29; Matthew 19:9 Acts 9:16 Revelation 2:3,13 Revelation 3:8; to his honour and glory, Psalms 31:3 1 Corinthians 10:31 Revelation 4:9,11 Revelation 5:12,13 11:13. Endeavouring to render hearty thanks unto God and the Father, i.e. to God the Father: the Syriac and Arabic do omit the conjunction copulative; however, it is to be understood expositively of God the Father of Christ, and our Father, who doth embrace us as his children. By him; by or through Christ, Ephesians 5:20 Hebrews 13:15, the only Mediator.