Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 1:3

"We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you," — Colossians 1:3 (ASV)

Paul addresses his thanksgiving to God, thus recognizing that he is the one ultimately responsible for the virtues and graces of his people and for the success of the Gospel—both of which are mentioned in the verses that follow. God is identified as “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The God to whom we pray is the God whom Jesus Christ made known to us as our Father.