John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. We give thanks to God , etc.] Meaning himself and Timothy. This is the beginning of the epistle, which is introduced with a thanksgiving to God; to whom praise and thankfulness are always due as a Creator and preserver, as the author of all good things, as the Father of mercies, temporal and spiritual, and as the covenant God and Father of his people through Christ: wherefore it follows, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ; the sense of which either is, that God the Father, who is the object of praise and thanksgiving, is both the God of Christ, and the Father of Christ, the God of Christ, as Christ is man, and the Father of Christ, as Christ is God; or the latter is exegetical of the former, and may be rendered thus, God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: and very properly are thanks given to him under this character, because it is as he is the Father of Christ that he blesses his people with all spiritual blessings; and because he is their God, as well as his God; and their Father, as well as his Father, though in a different sense, his by nature, theirs by adoption. Moreover, as all their blessings come from God, as the Father of Christ, and through Christ, and for his sake, so it is very proper that thanks should be returned unto him under that character; and through Christ, by whom alone such sacrifices of praise are acceptable to God: it is added, praying always for you ; which, as it is expressive of the constant discharge of the duty of prayer, and the continual remembrance of these saints in it, and shows the affection the apostle had for them; so it points out the time when, and the way and manner in which Paul and Timothy gave thanks to God on account of them; it was when they were at the throne of grace, and in their frequent prayers to God; thankfulness for mercies received, both by ourselves and others, being a branch of the duty of prayer.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - All true Christians are brethren one to another. Faithfulness run through every character and relation of the Christian life. Faith hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christian life and proper matter for prayer and thanksgiving. The more we fix ou hopes on the reward in the other world, the more free shall we be in doing good with our earthly treasure. It was treasured up for them, n enemy could deprive them of it. The gospel is the word of truth, and we may safely venture our souls upon it. And all who hear the word of the gospel, ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, obey it, and have their principles and lives formed according to it. Worldly love arises either from views of interest or from likeness in manners; carnal love from the appetite for pleasure. To these, something corrupt, selfish and base always cleaves. But Christian love arises from the Holy Spirit, and is full of holiness. (Col 1:9-14)
Greek Textus Receptus
ευχαριστουμεν 2168 5719 V-PAI-1P τω 3588 T-DSM θεω 2316 N-DSM και 2532 CONJ πατρι 3962 N-DSM του 3588 T-GSM κυριου 2962 N-GSM ημων 2257 P-1GP ιησου 2424 N-GSM χριστου 5547 N-GSM παντοτε 3842 ADV περι 4012 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP προσευχομενοι 4336 5740 V-PNP-NPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. And the Father. Some of the best texts omit and. So Rev. The form with and is the more common. Compare ch. iii. 17.Praying always for you. Rather connect always with we give thanks, and render we give thanks for you always, praying, or in our prayers.
According to the Greek order, praying for you (as Rev. and A.V.), would make for you unduly emphatic.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:3 {God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ} (twi qewi patri tou kuriou hemwn iesou cristou). Correct text without kai (and) as in #3:17, though usually "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (#2Co 1:3; 11:31; Ro 15:6; 1Pe 1:3; Re 1:6). In verse #2 we have the only instance in the opening benediction of an epistle when the name of "Jesus Christ" is not joined with "God our Father." {Always} (pantote). Amphibolous position between eucaristoumen (we give thanks) and proseucomenoi (praying). Can go with either.
