The apostolic thanksgiving.
We notice here—
I. THE SPIRIT OF THIS THANKSGIVING. Whatever is in it is so beautiful that we may well imitate it. Observe:
1. It is unselfish. We hear the prisoner praise, the chained captive exult, for the joys of others. Arthur Helps says, "That man is very strong and powerful, who has no more hopes for himself, who looks not to be loved any more, to be admired any more, to have any more honour and dignity, but whose sole thought is for others, and who only lives for them." That is what you have before you here.
2. It is ungrudging. Paul is about to deal with their errors, but nevertheless how willing and, indeed, eager he is first to recognize what is good and laudable in this Colossian Church! There are two sets of men with regard to art, scenery, and society: those who first see the blemish, then the beauty; and those who flint of all rejoice in the admirable, if afterwards they have to criticise any drawback. To the second of these Paul belonged.
3. It is constant. Like a perennial fountain, his praise and prayer for them shall be poured forth.
II. THE SUBJECT OF THIS THANKSGIVING. He thanks God:
1. For the spiritual possessions of the Church. Here is the familiar triad of his thought and description—faith, love, hope. Sometimes he views faith and love as leading up to hope; here he depicts hope as kindling faith and love.
2. For the means by which these possessions had been obtained. For:
3. For the source and sphere of their possession. "Love is its spirit." Love is the life of the saints.—U. R.T.