Devine Scripture

Colossians 1:3

What does Colossians 1:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 1:3 means

Paul moves immediately to gratitude, thanking “God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” and affirming continual prayer for the Colossians. Thanksgiving acknowledges God as the source of the church’s life and growth. Calling God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ keeps Jesus central, highlighting the relationship within the Godhead and rooting all blessings in Christ. Paul’s “always praying” reveals pastoral diligence and the importance of intercession in sustaining believers. Gratitude first, petitions second—this order shows that Christian prayer recognizes God’s prior work before asking for more. Paul models how leaders view other churches: not primarily as problems to fix, but as gifts to celebrate and support in prayer.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

We give praise to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, making prayer for you at all times,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

We give thanks to theGod and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ continually [when] praying for you,

Context

With verse 3, Paul begins a thanksgiving section that runs through verse 8. He will soon name the specific reasons for gratitude: their faith, love, and hope (verses 4–5), the gospel’s fruitfulness (verse 6), and Epaphras’s faithful ministry (verses 7–8). This thankful posture precedes his intercessory prayer in verses 9–12. The flow from thanksgiving to prayer sets a pattern: recognize God’s grace at work, then ask for its deepening. It also builds trust, preparing readers to receive exhortation later.

v.2to the saints and faithful brethren in Christthat areat Colossæ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

v.3This passage

v.4having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have toward all the saints,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 1:8

    First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.

  • Philippians 1:9

    And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:16

    Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:10

    night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

  • Ephesians 3:14

    For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,

  • Philippians 4:6

    In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

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