Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
For—to be joined with the words immediately preceding: "The love which ye have to all the saints because of (literally, 'on account of') the hope," etc. The hope of eternal life will never be in us an inactive principle but will always produce "love." This passage is abused by Romanists, as if the hope of salvation depended upon works. A false argument. It does not follow that our hope is founded on our works because we are strongly stimulated to live well; since nothing is more effectual for this purpose than the sense of God's free grace [CALVIN].
laid up—a treasure laid up so as to be out of danger of being lost (II Timothy 4:8). Faith, love, and hope (Colossians 1:4-5), comprise the sum of Christianity. Compare Colossians 1:23, "the hope of the Gospel."
in heaven—Greek, "in the heavens."
whereof ye heard before—namely, at the time when it was preached to you.
in the word, etc.—That "hope" formed part of "the word of the truth of the Gospel" (compare Ephesians 1:13), that is, part of the Gospel truth preached unto you.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Colossians 1:5:
John 17:17
2 Corinthians 6:7
Galatians 2:5
Galatians 5:5
Ephesians 1:3
Ephesians 1:13
Colossians 1:5
Colossians 3:3
Titus 2:13
Hebrews 9:27
1 Peter 1:4
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
Start Your Day with Scripture
Begin your day with God's Word — the Berean brings Scripture and commentary every morning.
Join 150,000+ subscribers growing daily in God's Word.
