Colossians 1:4

“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…”

“Since we heard--literally, "Having heard." The language implies that he had only heard of, and not seen, them (Col 2:1). Compare Rom 1:8, where like language is used of a Church which he had not at the time visited. love . . . to all--the absent, as well as those present [BENGEL].”

“Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus - To wit, by Epaphras, who had informed Paul of the steadfastness of their faith and love; Colossians 1:7-8. This does not prove that Paul had never been at Colossae, or that he did not establish the church there, for he uses a similar expression respecting the church at Ephesus Ephesians 1:15, of which he was undoubtedly the founder. The meaning is, that he had heard of their faith at that time, or of their perseverance in faith and love. Which ye have to all the saints - In what way they had manifested this is not known. It would seem that Paul had been informed that this was a character of their piety, that they had remarkable love for all who…”

“1:4 God’s people (literally holy ones, or saints): In the New Testament, all Christians are saints, people who have been specially set apart by God as his own holy people (3:12).”

“we: Col 1:9; Co2 7:7; Eph 1:15; Th1 3:6; Jo3 1:3, Jo3 1:4 faith: Gal 5:6; Th1 1:3, Th1 4:9, Th1 4:10; Th2 1:3; Plm 1:5; Pe1 1:21-23; Jo1 3:14, Jo1 3:23; Jo1 4:16 the love: Heb 6:10 Colossians 1:5”