since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
4. Having heard of your faith. This was a means of stirring up his love towards them, and his concern for their welfare, when he heard it that they were distinguished by faith and love. And, unquestionably, gifts of God that are so excellent ought to have such an effect upon us as to stir us up to love them wherever they appear.
Thanksgiving belongs in every prayer, paired with rejoicing over the same matter. Paul gives thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for their faith in Christ, their love toward the saints, and their hope laid up in heaven, the three principal graces that mark a Christian life.
AI summary
Commenting on Colossians 1:3-8
Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus,.... 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...