Colossians 1
Colossians 1:3-7 3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;
5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,
Paul’s letter to the Colossians is a bit unusual because there is no record that he ever visited Colossae. Paul says that he started praying for them “…since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus”. It is believed that Epaphras, who was from Colossae, was converted under Paul’s ministry, and then took the gospel back home. Vs. 7 shows that Paul heard of the Colossian church from Epaphras. Epaphras was with Paul at the time he wrote to the Colossians.
Colossians 4:12-13 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
Another person we hear about in the Bible that was from Colossae was Philemon, to which Paul also wrote a letter that we have as scripture. At the end we have
Philemon 1:22-23 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
So we see that Epaphras was also a prisoner with Paul. This would have been during Paul’s first imprisonment, where he is left at the end of the book of Acts. He was given much freedom during that period, basically under house arrest.
Acts 28:30-31 30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,
31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
Paul speaks of their faith in the Lord Jesus, and love for all the saints.
Vs. 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven…”
Hope is “the happy anticipation of good” and certainly we have heard enough about heaven to be eagerly anticipating it. The wording implies that this hope was a cause of their faith and love. NKJV, NASB and AMPC use the word “because”, KJV uses “for”, and NIV says “.. the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven”.
Vs. 9 For this reason, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you…
Paul made a habit of praying for those churches that he established either directly or indirectly. In vs. 3, he says he prays for them always. According to W.E. Vine, the word can have two meanings: perpetually and incessantly, or invariably at every time of successive occurrences when something was repeated. The second meaning is the one used here. Whenever Paul prayed for the churches, which was daily, he included the Colossian church. A second time here in vs. 9 Paul says he does not cease to pray for them.
This is what a spiritual father does for his children; and in this case, maybe a spiritual grandfather. Fathers want the best for their kids. Especially in the case where Paul could not be with them in person to help lead, train, and nurture them, he could pray. And of course there were his letters.
Galatians 4:19 19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
Paul prayed extra hard for the Galatian church because they were coming under the corrupting influence of the Judaizers – Jewish Christians telling them that yes you are saved by faith in Jesus, but to really be spiritual you had to keep the Mosaic law. If you are a parent of multiple children (I have five boys), there is always that one that seems to need some extra prayer.
Knowledge of His will
Vs. 9 …and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Knowledge and wisdom are two different things. Knowledge has to do with facts. For example, if you have a piece of equipment that isn’t working, knowledge would be knowing what is wrong with it – like a diagnosis. You are driving down the highway, and your battery indicator comes on and doesn’t go off, and you don’t have the dial that actually shows the voltage on the battery (this happened to us). If you have a little knowledge, you might think, “Oh, there’s something wrong in the electrical system”. You’re still 40 minutes away from home – are you going to make it? Pray!
Wisdom and understanding, however, has to do with having complete knowledge, not just a vague idea of some possibilities, and what to do about it. In our case, it was the alternator going bad – which was one of the possibilities I knew it could be, but I didn’t know for sure.
Wisdom provides the solution – what to do. For some, they might have enough know how to buy a new alternator and replace it themselves. For me, the wisdom was, take it to the shop! And $600+ later, we were fine.
Now Paul was praying that the Colossians would not just have general knowledge, but knowledge and wisdom about a specific thing – knowledge of His will. And not just a little bit, but be filled with the knowledge of his will.
Here’s how knowledge and wisdom comes in – you know God wants you to begin a specific ministry. But how? Where do I start? When do I start? Where do I get the resources?
Romans 12:2 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Here we see that when we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, it will enable us to prove what the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God is.
For more about the three levels of being in God’s will, see Where Does Real Transformation come from? Part 5
Vs. 9 … in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Professionals and craftsman have understanding in their field of expertise. And when you have a need, you can bring your problem to them for a solution (that’s why I took my car to the auto shop rather than trying to repair it myself). But Paul prays that we would have spiritual understanding – understanding in the things of the spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:12-14 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Notice the use of the word receive above. We have received the Spirit who is from God. And what is one of His assignments? To aid us in knowing the things that have been freely given to us by God.
We also see that the world does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. So what does it mean to “receive”?
To receive means to take what is offered. If someone comes up to you with a plate of home baked cookies, and says “Have a cookie!”, you are still not going to have a cookie unless you reach out and take one – because they aren’t going to put it in your mouth.
Students in a classroom: they can be exposed to knowledge in subjects, but they have to receive it. They have to place value on it, and give heed and attention to it.
Inner city schools where students do so poorly and are operating way below their grade level – it is not because they are less intelligent than students in more affluent areas – it is because they don’t place the same value on the academics. Those that do, do better.
There are many reasons why young people might not place value on schooling. A big part of that is culture. Another big part is the circumstances they are living in. Problems at home, violence in the neighborhood, peer pressure. All leading to a hopelessness that education will do them any good. So why apply all that effort?
Wendy Backlund, describes a study done at an inner city school where students were doing very poorly at math. They had someone come in and place post hypnotic suggestions in the students that they were great at math, and enjoyed it. And every one of those students from that point onward leaped ahead in their ability to do math. That class became the best at math in the whole school.
Now, whether you believe in messing around with hypnosis or not, what really happened was the students had a negative belief about themselves – that there were bad at math, that they hated it – replaced with a positive one. And that change in belief resulted in a change in ability and behavior.
The same dynamic applies to spiritual things – we have to believe that it is for us, that it is attainable for us.
Walk worthy
Colossians 1:10 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
The Amplified version says it this way:
Vs 10 AMP That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord…
So we notice that we are talking about behavior here, how we act and conduct ourselves. And it talks about walking worthy of the Lord.
Whenever the Bible talks about our worthiness, we have to understand a few things.
Firstly, our salvation is underserved and we are not worthy of it in the sense that there was any way we could earn it by our efforts. But some Christians carry that unworthiness along with them even after they are saved. No, Jesus made us worthy. It is an aspect of righteousness – right standing with God. It’s not something we obtained through our efforts, it was given to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
But, what we do with that salvation is important. God is looking for changed lives, dedicated to him.
And this may be a surprise to you – there actually is something we can earn by our behavior. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 describes the process where the Christian’s works – that which they have done in the body after they are saved – are judged. This is not to be confused with the Great White Throne judgment where sinners are judged. No, this judgment is an evaluation of our works to see what reward we will get. Those rewards are something that is earned.
Fully pleasing Him
If you are pleasing God, you are walking in a manner worthy of Him. So what are things that please God? Here are some scriptures.
Romans 12:1 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
The word translated acceptable in English carries a connotation of mediocrity, of meeting minimum standards – “yeah, it’s ok”. But the Greek holds no such connotation. Other translations render it as “pleasing” (NIV), or well-pleasing” (AMP).
Hebrews 11:6 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Faith is pleasing to God. Believing Him at His word and acting accordingly.
Colossians 3:20 20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
1 John 3:21-22 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
Increase
In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:15-29, Jesus says to the first two servants “Well done, good and faithful servant”. We are not the servants of God, we are His children, but we also want to hear those words, “Well done”. And what was it that those servants did to earn their master’s praise? They took what they were given, and increased it.
Vs 10: …being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
“Fruitful” is an agricultural term. Agriculture is all about increase. You plant seed, and it yields fruit/crops that sustains people and also produces many more seeds.
There is fruitfulness in reproduction, as in “be fruitful and multiply”. And certainly gaining increase by witnessing to others and gaining new believers is well pleasing to God. But it is not limited to this, because it says “..being fruitful in every good work.”
Ephesians 2:10 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Good works are in our nature, because we were created to do them.
Vs 10: … and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Power and Might
Colossians 1:11 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
Strenthened – empowered. Verb form of dunamis
Might – kratos
There are different kinds of power (in a human being)
Political power. Measured by the number of people behind you that will support your cause; the measure of your influence. The power is in the collective. But this kind of power is not just in politics. Popularity and fame also included. Having many people behind you gives you leverage to effect change.
Economic power. A quote from Johnny Hart about the Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules. Money is a great motivator and influencer. Those with money can accomplish more than those without.
Intellectual power. The power of invention and creativity.
Physical power, physical strength or prowess.
Spiritual power, the ability to tap into the realm of the spirit to gain ability to accomplish things not in natural human ability, which is the definition of “supernatural”.
Any of the types of power can be good or bad, depending on its source, and what it is used for. Power can be wielded over people, or on behalf of people, to help them.
Paul of course is talking about spiritual power, that comes from being in union with God and His purposes. Jesus exercised great spiritual power not because He was the Son of God, but because He only did those things He saw the Father do and said the things He heard the Father say (John 5:19, John 5:30).
Operating in the Gifts of the Spirit from 1 Corinthians 12 is an example of spiritual power. Casting out demons is another.
Patience and Longsuffering
There are two basic types of patience spoken of in the Bible, that use different words in the Greek. Sometimes they are distinguished, and sometimes they are both rendered as “patience” by translators, which has caused some confusion.
Perseverance. This is don’t quit attitude, in spite of opposition. Tenacity. I find it interesting that the main examples of people exercising perseverance in the New Testament were all women:
The widow who kept coming to the unjust judge to gain justice over someone who was opposing her, in spite of the judge brushing her off and ignoring her. She eventually prevailed. (Luke 18:1-8)
The woman with the issue of blood who pushed through the crowd to get to Jesus to touch the hem of his garment, even when under the Law she was unclean and could be stoned for it. (Mark 5:25-34)
The Canaanite (Gentile) woman who came to Jesus to rid her daughter of an oppressing spirit. Jesus told her no. As a Gentile she was not eligible for the blessings of the covenant people Israel. Yet she persisted, and it was her faith that got what she needed. (Matthew 15:22-28)
Another example of perseverance was in the friend that kept pounding on his neighbor’s door at midnight to get some food to set before a late arriving guest. (Luke 11:5-8) (See Importunity, Parts One and Two)
Perseverant patience is coupled with and is necessary for faith.
Hebrews 6:12 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience [perseverance] inherit the promises.
Longsuffering. This is to suffer abuse from people without resorting to bitterness or retaliation. When persecuted, we practice longsuffering towards the persecutors.
Perseverance is an active form of patience – you are going after something, you take a stand, you will not quit.
Longsuffering is a passive type of patience; you are “taking it” or putting up with something without reacting negatively.
A key is to know that we should practice longsuffering towards people, but perseverance towards circumstances or things that the devil is doing. Remember Ephesians 6, our battle is not with flesh and blood, but spiritual forces of wickedness.
Another English word related to patience is endurance. It has elements of perseverance in that it keeps going in the face of opposition or challenge.
(For more on the two kinds of patience, see Tribulations on Trial, Parts One and Two.)
The apostle Paul faced great opposition and persecution during his ministry. He kept going when most of us would quit. That is perseverance. Yet he never took it out on those that were opposing him. That was longsuffering. He took to heart what Jesus said:
Matthew 5:44 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
With joy
Paul adds on the end of vs. 11, with joy. The patience, endurance, and longsuffering is to be practiced, with joy. This also reflects what James said.
James 1:2-4 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
By the way, the patience referred to in this passage is the perseverant type.
Our joy is not to be dependent on the particular circumstances we are in. That is not easy to do when the circumstances are bad. Therefore Paul prays for us that we will have that joy – which is supposed to be a characteristic of the Christian life.
Thanks to the Father
Colossians 1:12 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Thanksgiving should always be a part of every prayer. We are truly grateful for all God has done for us. But note here who Paul directs his thanks to – the Father.
Sometime I think as Christians we neglect the worship of the Father for the worship of Jesus. Our worship songs are overwhelmingly about praising Jesus. Don’t misunderstand me, Jesus is worthy of all our praise, our thanksgiving, and our worship. It is not wrong in any way to direct worship towards him. But do we also direct our worship to the Father?
The sacrifice of Jesus was the avenue, the pathway, the method by which our salvation was purchased. But it was the Father Who commissioned Him to do so.
And look at the rest of this verse. If you asked the average Christian, “Who qualified us for our heavenly inheritance?” they would probably say Jesus if they were not directly familiar with this verse. Jesus was the means, but the Father is the source.
Qualified
The Father has qualified us. That means that any requirements that exist have already been met. It is not based on our performance. We already have the document that entitles us.
… to be partakers of the inheritance…
Our inheritance is a whole subject in itself that we won’t go into here. But one thing to note – what entitles you to an inheritance? It’s what is written in the will, by the one who is bequeathing the inheritance. We’ve already seen that it is coming from the Father.
The overwhelming majority of inheritance goes to people who are family – that is what qualifies them to gain an inheritance. And the Father has proclaimed us to be His children, so we have that family relationship.
… of the saints in the light.
Notice it is not with the saints in the light, but of the saints in the light. That means that there is not some group out there, “the saints in the light”, and we have been included along with that group. No, the inheritance is directly for the saints in the light, and we are not included with them separately, we are being named saints in the light.
Conclusion
There are other places where Paul prayed for the church, specifically Philippians 1:9-11, and 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, that we will not cover here.
We can pray these prayers that Paul prayed for other believers. But they are also prayers we can pray for ourselves. Put yourself in the prayers. Declare that the things that he prays for are already yours.
