Rather, “even the Father.” The Christian’s object of praise is God, who is his Father. Jesus is the agent through whom we extend our gratitude to the Father.
Giving thanks.
As an accompaniment of all that the Christian thinks and does there should be praise (cf. Eph. 5:4, 20; 1 Thess. 5:18). Repeatedly the apostle has emphasized a need for expressing our gratitude and thanks to God (see Col. 1:12; 2:7; 3:15; 4:2).
In the name.
That is, in the spirit and character of one who truly serves Christ, and with reference to Christ. The Christian should ever bear in mind that day by day he is building a character for eternity. He should constantly place himself under God’s control. He must be guarded in all that he says and does. He must bear in mind that in his life “religion is not merely one influence among others; it is to be an influence dominating all others” (CT 489).
Word or deed.
These are the two great outlets of human life and conduct. Nothing unworthy of Christ is to be done by His children; nothing unworthy is to be said.