I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
Ver. 4. I thank my God] Thus he begins most of his Epistles. Deo gratias was ever in Austin's mouth, who had Paul's spirit. Every gracious man is a grateful man. The same Greek word (χαρις) signifieth grace and thanks. Only that part of Abraham's seed that is as the stars of heaven, can in their courses sing a song of praise to God. True it is, that "all his works praise him;" that is, they give matter and occasion so to do; but his saints only bless him, in manner as Paul here doth, Psalms 145:10, and bring actual glory to him, Ephesians 1:11,12. Wicked men cannot say, I thank my God, for they have no true notion of God, but as of an enemy; and therefore all their verbal thanks are but as music at funerals, or as the trumpet before a judge, no comfort to the mourning wife or guilty prisoner.
For the grace of God] Intending to chide them, he first commends them, that he may preserve in their hearts an opinion of his love, while he rebuked them sharply, that they might be sound in the faith.