John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus , etc.] This expresses the matter of their thankfulness, or what it was they gave thanks to God for, their faith in Christ; by which is not only meant their hearty assent to the whole doctrine of faith, concerning the person, offices, and grace of Christ, their soundness and steadfastness in it, and their sincere and constant profession of it; but the grace of faith in them, the operation of the Spirit of God in their souls, which had not Moses, nor any mere man, but Christ for its object; by which they looked unto him as a Saviour, went unto him as such, ventured on him, committed themselves unto him, leaned and relied upon him; that grace which comes from him, has him for its author and finisher, and returns unto him, and lives on him. This Paul and Timothy had heard of by their minister Epaphras; and it shows that they made no secret of it, did not keep it to themselves, but declared, confessed, and published it to others, as is the duty of all believers to do; and thanks being given for it to God, makes it a clear point that it was not of themselves, but was the gift of God, otherwise there would have been no need of thankfulness for it; as also, that it is a very eminent grace, and of great use and service to such who are possessed of it. And of love [which ye have] to all the saints ; this is another thing for which thanks are given to God. The object of this grace are saints; all men indeed are to be loved, and even our very enemies; and good is to be done to all, but especially to holy and good men, to the household of faith; and these are all to be loved and respected; nor is any respect or difference of persons to be made on account of country, or natural relation, as Jews or Gentiles, or of outward state and condition, as rich or poor, bond or free, or of greater or lesser gifts and grace, weak or strong believers, or of different sentiments in the lesser matters of religion. It denotes both the grace of love itself, which is a fruit of the Spirit implanted in regeneration, and is an evidence of the new birth, and always is where true faith in Christ is, for faith works by it; and also the effects of it, which lies not in bare words, in expressions of spiritual affection and friendship, but in deeds, by serving one another in love, by relieving in necessity, sympathizing in distress, praying with and for one another, and the like; all which these saints were famous for.
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
ακουσαντες 191 5660 V-AAP-NPM την 3588 T-ASF πιστιν 4102 N-ASF υμων 5216 P-2GP εν 1722 PREP χριστω 5547 N-DSM ιησου 2424 N-DSM και 2532 CONJ την 3588 T-ASF αγαπην 26 N-ASF την 3588 T-ASF εις 1519 PREP παντας 3956 A-APM τους 3588 T-APM αγιους 40 A-APM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:4 {Having heard of} (akousantes). Literary plural unless Timothy is included. Aorist active participle of akouw of antecedent action to eucaristoumen. Epaphras (verse #8) had told Paul. {Your faith in Jesus Christ} (tn pistin humwn en iesou Christ"i). See #Eph 1:15 for similar phrase. No article is needed before en as it is a closely knit phrase and bears the same sense as the objective genitive in #Ga 2:16 (dia pistews cristou iesou, by faith in Christ Jesus). {Which ye have} (hen ecete). Probably genuine (Aleph A C D), though B omits it and others have the article (ten). There is a real distinction here between en (sphere or basis) and eis (direction towards), though they are often identical in idea.
