Paul's Theological Triad of Faith, Hope and Love

Paul addresses the colossian christians as the saints and faithful brothers. He does not seem to have known the colossians first hand, although they were very clearly within the orbit of his missionary associates. The world of the early church was a small one, with a lot of missionaries moving around and a roust network in which news of ministry was constantly being circulated. Paul expresses his thanksgiving for the reports that he had heard of the colossarians, faith, hope and love. This triad of theological virtues is so frequently employed by paul that it seems clear that together, faith,Hope and love defined christian's posture within the world or him.