What does Colossians 1:12 mean?

In addition to praying for God's strength for the Christians in Colossae, Paul prayed for them to give thanks. Just as Paul prayed, giving thanks continually (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18), they were to give thanks as well.

Paul makes it clear that God alone is the one who provides salvation. It is by His grace through faith in Christ (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8–9). The inheritance of the saints is eternity with the Lord in heaven, something Paul often refers to in his writings (Galatians 3:18; Ephesians 1:11, 14; 5:5; Colossians 3:24). Ephesians 1:18 illustrates this concept clearly, speaking of "the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."

Paul also makes mention of light, which is an important part of Hebrew thinking. According to the Jewish people, all knowledge and goodness was symbolized by "light," while sin and ignorance were characterized by "darkness." This is a theme of the apostle John, as well, frequently used in both his letters and the Gospel of John.