Colossians 1:12

giving thanks as the disciple is to do "in everything" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). So would the deep-felt "joy" be specially expressed. See on Colossians 1:3 above.

unto the Father Who is always revealed as the ultimate Object of thanksgiving, the eternal Fountain of the whole Redemption. Cp. e.g. Matthew 11:25; John 3:16; John 17:1; Joh 17:4; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 2:11; 1 Peter 1:3. He is here viewed as the Father of the Son, not immediatelyas "ourFather;" see Colossians 1:13.

which hath made us meet Who qualified us, or (Lightfoot), made us competent; i.e., gave us, as His redeemed ones in the Son (Colossians 1:14), title to and entrance on our spiritual possessions. The time-reference is, from one point of view, to the moment of the Lord's finished work; from another, to the moment of each believer's personal union with the Lord. The same verb occurs 2 Corinthians 3:6 (only), "He qualified us to be ministers, &c." In the Old Latin Version we find qui vocavit nos, etc. This represents a various reading of the Greek, "who calledus." But the evidence for "qualified" is decisive. Another various reading, not to be adopted, is "you" for "us."

to be partakers, &c. Lit., unto the portion of the lot of the saints in the light. "The kingdom" (Colossians 1:13) of the Son of God is the realm of light, the light of spiritual knowledge, purity, and joy; the mystical Canaan of the redeemed; the "lot" or inheritance of the "peculiar people," in which each one has his "portion." In other words, the saints, possessed by Christ, themselves possess Christ as their riches and light, and are "qualified" to do so by the grace of the Father who gave the Son for them and to them. The reference is not immediately to the coming glory, but to the present grace. Cp. Luke 16:8; John 8:12; John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8; 1Th 5:5; 1 John 1:7, &c.; for the imagery of "light" in such a connexion.

It is questioned, whether we are to understand the Apostle to speak of "the lot in the light," or of "the saints in the light"? Probably the words "in light" qualify allparts of the thought. The mystical Canaan is "in the light," and so are its inhabitants therefore.

" Saints:" see on Colossians 1:2 above.