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I. ITS SPIRIT.

1. It is unselfish. We hear the prisoner praise and exult for the joys of others. Arthur Helps says: "It is a noble sight. That man is very powerful who has no more hopes for himself, who looks not to be loved or admired any more, to have more honour and dignity; but whose sole thought is for others, and who only lives for them."

2. Ungrudging. He is about to deal with their errors, but is eager first to recognize what is laudable. There are two sets of men, those who first see the blemish, then the beauty; and those who first admire and then criticise. To the first of these Paul belonged.

3. Constant.

II. ITS SUBJECTS.

1. The spiritual possessions of the Church. Sometimes Paul views faith and love as leading up to hope: here he depicts hope as kindling faith and love.

(1)  The faith is Christ-centred.

(2)  The love is practical.

(3)  The hope is secure.

2. The means by which these possessions had been obtained.

(1) The gospel.

(a)  In its universality.

(b)  In its fertility. The gospel is not only vital, but reproductive.

(2) The preacher.

3. The source and sphere of their possession. "Love in the Spirit" is the life of all the saints.

(U. R. Thomas.)The custom of the apostle to begin his Epistles with thanksgiving showed the devout habit of his mind, his constant recognition of the source of good, and his interest in the spiritual condi tion of those to whom he wrote.

I. THANKSGIVING AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN PRAYER. "We give thanks, praying always for you."

II. THE BEING TO WHOM ALL THANKSGIVING IS DUE. "The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.'"

III. THE GROUNDS OF THIS THANKSGIVING.

1. The reputation of their faith in Christ.

(1) Christ is the object and foundation of all true faith. He is so as the Divinely-consecrated Deliverer of our race. The grandeur of His work and the glory of His character are suggested by the titles here given.

(2): Faith is the root-principle of Christian life.

2. Their possession of an expansive Christian love. Love to Christ is necessarily involved, for love to the saints is our affection for Christ's image in them. Love is all-embracing. Peculiarities, defects, differences of opinion, are no barriers. It is the unanswerable evidence of moral transformation (1 John 3:14). It is the grandest triumph over the natural enmity of the human heart. It is the indissoluble bond of choicest fellowship.

3. Their enjoyment of a well-sustained hope.

(1) Its character. The prospect of heaven — of possessing a spiritual inheritance whose wealth never diminishes and whose splendours never fade — of seeing Christ, and being like Him and dwelling with Him for ever. This prospect lifts the soul above the wearinesses, disappointments, and sufferings of the present limited life.

(2) Its security "laid up" — safely deposited as a precious jewel in God's coffer. There no pilfering hands can touch, no breath tarnish, no moth corrupt it. Earthly treasures vanish, and to God's people sometimes nothing but hope remains. Where this treasure is there the heart should be.

(3) Its source — the gospel. It alone unfolds the mysteries of the future. How dismal the outlook where hope is unknown.Lessons:

1. We should thank God for others more on account of their spiritual than temporal welfare.

2. Learn what are the essential elements of the Christian character — faith, love, hope.

3. The proclamation of the gospel should be welcomed, and its message pondered.

(G. Barlow.)

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KJV: We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

WEB: We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,