Note 4 at Col 1:3: All of Paul's epistles, with the exception of Galatians and Titus, begin with thanksgiving to God (Ro 1:8, 1Co 1:4, 2Co 1:3, Eph 1:16, Php 1:3, this verse, 1Th 1:2, 2Th 1:3, 1Ti 1:12, 2Ti 1:3, and Phm 4). Thanksgiving to God was characteristic of Paul's letters and prayers (Eph 1:16 and this verse).

Thanksgiving in the early church was expressed regularly to God and was a natural part of Christian worship (1Co 14:16-17; Php 4:6; Col 2:7, and 4:2). Thanksgiving was expressed to God for such things as deliverance from enemies (Ps 44:7), His goodness and mercy (Ps 100:4-5), His grace and acceptance of us through Christ (Eph 1:6), forgiveness of our sins and healing for our bodies (Ps 103:2-4 and Lu 17:15-16), Christ's deliverance of the believer from the principle of sin (Ro 6:17-18), the unspeakable gift of grace in Christ (2Co 9:15), and the like precious faith of all Christians (Ro 1:8).

Thanksgiving is expressed through His saints (Ps 145:10), people's lips (Heb 13:15), the righteous (Ps 140:13), and prayer (Col 4:2).