I want to share with you a few things from the book of Colossians, we will see how far the Lord takes me through but I hope to cover the book this year. The first section I will look at is chapter 1, verses 1 to 14, but first a little background.
This book was written by the apostle Paul when he was first imprisoned in Rome around 60-61AD, at the same time that he wrote to the Ephesians and to Philemon. Tychicus and Onesimus delivered this letter [Col 4:7-9]. Tychicus delivered Ephesians [Eph 6:21] and Onesimus delivered Philemon [Philem 10-12] so it is very possible that this was part of the same journey. The city of Colossae was decimated in an earthquake in 61AD and never rebuilt, so the letter would have been written and presumably delivered before this time. Colossae was situated in Phrygia and was under Roman rule. The gospel was first preached in this region by Paul and Silas with Timothy [Acts 15:40-16:6].
Now to look at the text:
This book was written by the apostle Paul when he was first imprisoned in Rome around 60-61AD, at the same time that he wrote to the Ephesians and to Philemon. Tychicus and Onesimus delivered this letter [Col 4:7-9]. Tychicus delivered Ephesians [Eph 6:21] and Onesimus delivered Philemon [Philem 10-12] so it is very possible that this was part of the same journey. The city of Colossae was decimated in an earthquake in 61AD and never rebuilt, so the letter would have been written and presumably delivered before this time. Colossae was situated in Phrygia and was under Roman rule. The gospel was first preached in this region by Paul and Silas with Timothy [Acts 15:40-16:6].
Now to look at the text:
Colossians 1
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
A quick note on the greeting - both the author and receiver are referred to as being of Jesus Christ and in Christ (v. 1). Before he begins Paul establishes what he always seeks to emphasize – our standing in Christ.
Paul and Timothy thank God ever since they heard of the fruits which the Colossian believers are displaying. They direct this thanks to God, for He is the source and it is He by His Holy Spirit indwelling these believers that these fruits are being born [Gal 5:22-23]. When we see good fruit do we praise our Father who is the source?
What specifically were they thanking God for? Paul and Timothy had heard of their faith, their love and thanked God for the provision of their hope in heaven. Paul has put these three together elsewhere in his writings [e.g. 1 Cor 13:13]. We have a hope laid up… in heaven (v. 5) [for a beautiful description see 1 Pet 1:3-5], provided for us by God. These Colossian saints have faith in Christ, and exhibit love… for the all the saints (v. 4). What a beautiful thing to behold in a group of believers! And for these things God is to be praised.
The hope which they have is found in the gospel, here called the word of truth (v. 5). What a beautiful name! Paul comments on the pattern which follows the preaching of the word, and in doing so encourages the Colossian believers that what they have seen in their lives is evidence of God at work. The gospel is said to be constantly bearing fruit and increasing ever since it is heard … and understood (v. 6). This is a good passage to look to when we are considering our own walk with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 13 [NASB]
5Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?
We are called here to examine ourselves, and Colossians is providing a standard - constant and increasing fruit since the day we heard and understood this word of truth. Christians sin, and are called to repent.
1 John 1
3We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
A quick note on the greeting - both the author and receiver are referred to as being of Jesus Christ and in Christ (v. 1). Before he begins Paul establishes what he always seeks to emphasize – our standing in Christ.
Paul and Timothy thank God ever since they heard of the fruits which the Colossian believers are displaying. They direct this thanks to God, for He is the source and it is He by His Holy Spirit indwelling these believers that these fruits are being born [Gal 5:22-23]. When we see good fruit do we praise our Father who is the source?
What specifically were they thanking God for? Paul and Timothy had heard of their faith, their love and thanked God for the provision of their hope in heaven. Paul has put these three together elsewhere in his writings [e.g. 1 Cor 13:13]. We have a hope laid up… in heaven (v. 5) [for a beautiful description see 1 Pet 1:3-5], provided for us by God. These Colossian saints have faith in Christ, and exhibit love… for the all the saints (v. 4). What a beautiful thing to behold in a group of believers! And for these things God is to be praised.
The hope which they have is found in the gospel, here called the word of truth (v. 5). What a beautiful name! Paul comments on the pattern which follows the preaching of the word, and in doing so encourages the Colossian believers that what they have seen in their lives is evidence of God at work. The gospel is said to be constantly bearing fruit and increasing ever since it is heard … and understood (v. 6). This is a good passage to look to when we are considering our own walk with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 13 [NASB]
5Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?
We are called here to examine ourselves, and Colossians is providing a standard - constant and increasing fruit since the day we heard and understood this word of truth. Christians sin, and are called to repent.
1 John 1
8If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
However, the Word is clear that there should be an evidence of fruit in a Christians’ life. Do we say we have faith in Christ Jesus? This should be accompanied by a love … for all the saints and a treasuring of the hope laid up for you in heaven (v. 4-5). Paul goes on to speak of this in chapter 3, that IF you have been raised you should/will seek the things above where Christ is.
Colossians 3
1Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
The Colossian believers were in danger of adopting teachings in addition to those of Christ [see Col 2:16-23], and so Paul emphasizes even in these opening verses the sufficiency of the gospel. It is the word which you previously heard, which is accomplishing the same fruit in all the world also, and has been doing this since the day you heard of it (v. 5-6). The message you had at the start is not just something to be assented to and then moved on from. It is the foundation and the means of further building. It is THE word of truth (v. 5).
A quick note on Epaphras. He shared with Paul what he knew of this church and encouraged him with this news. Can we do more to encourage one another with news of God’s goodness in the lives of those around us? Some of the church at Colossae questioned the authority of Epaphras, and so Paul goes to great lengths here and in Col 4:12-13 to establish him as a faithful, godly brother. Paul points to Epaphras as part of the reason that they pray so fervently for these believers. Do we pray for those who perhaps disagree with us? Do we seek to encourage them even if there is an area of contention between us, knowing that we are all in Christ?
Then we have Paul and Timothy’s prayer. This is an absolutely incredible prayer, it is my favorite in the whole bible, and I fear that I will not be able to do it justice in this small blog. If you are able to also study it for yourself in your own time, or use it as a template for your own prayers I feel that there is great blessing here. I will examine some aspects of the prayer here, but will look at it in greater detail next time. I feel that it should be considered in light of verses 1-14, but also deserves much time and attention. As my good friend Trevor would say ‘we may not come this way again’ so lets spend the time getting into the text!
Paul was a praying man. For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that…(v. 9). This is unceasing prayer and petition, prayer being more general, and ‘asking’ being specific requests made. Other times when Paul uses this language are:
Romans 1
However, the Word is clear that there should be an evidence of fruit in a Christians’ life. Do we say we have faith in Christ Jesus? This should be accompanied by a love … for all the saints and a treasuring of the hope laid up for you in heaven (v. 4-5). Paul goes on to speak of this in chapter 3, that IF you have been raised you should/will seek the things above where Christ is.
Colossians 3
1Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
The Colossian believers were in danger of adopting teachings in addition to those of Christ [see Col 2:16-23], and so Paul emphasizes even in these opening verses the sufficiency of the gospel. It is the word which you previously heard, which is accomplishing the same fruit in all the world also, and has been doing this since the day you heard of it (v. 5-6). The message you had at the start is not just something to be assented to and then moved on from. It is the foundation and the means of further building. It is THE word of truth (v. 5).
A quick note on Epaphras. He shared with Paul what he knew of this church and encouraged him with this news. Can we do more to encourage one another with news of God’s goodness in the lives of those around us? Some of the church at Colossae questioned the authority of Epaphras, and so Paul goes to great lengths here and in Col 4:12-13 to establish him as a faithful, godly brother. Paul points to Epaphras as part of the reason that they pray so fervently for these believers. Do we pray for those who perhaps disagree with us? Do we seek to encourage them even if there is an area of contention between us, knowing that we are all in Christ?
Then we have Paul and Timothy’s prayer. This is an absolutely incredible prayer, it is my favorite in the whole bible, and I fear that I will not be able to do it justice in this small blog. If you are able to also study it for yourself in your own time, or use it as a template for your own prayers I feel that there is great blessing here. I will examine some aspects of the prayer here, but will look at it in greater detail next time. I feel that it should be considered in light of verses 1-14, but also deserves much time and attention. As my good friend Trevor would say ‘we may not come this way again’ so lets spend the time getting into the text!
Paul was a praying man. For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that…(v. 9). This is unceasing prayer and petition, prayer being more general, and ‘asking’ being specific requests made. Other times when Paul uses this language are:
Romans 1
9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.
Ephesians 1
15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
Philippians 1
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,
1 Thessalonians 1
2We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,
2 Thessalonians 1
Ephesians 1
15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
Philippians 1
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,
1 Thessalonians 1
2We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,
2 Thessalonians 1
11To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,
Philemon
4I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
What an example for us to follow! What a convicting standard for us to compare ourselves with. Since the time he hears of a group of saints he prays for them, both alone and with others. He shares this with the subjects of his prayer and encourages them. He remembers them long after he first hears, and does not only pray for those who are sick or suffering. Are we guilty of only bringing certain people to the Lord? When we first studied this my husband and I looked at our prayer list and it consisted only of those who were having difficulty or were ill. But Paul here says for this reason also he prays (v. 9). What reason? He also informed us of your love in the Spirit (v. 8). Paul heard good reports, and so began to pray for them!
And what does he pray?
Colossians 1
Philemon
4I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
What an example for us to follow! What a convicting standard for us to compare ourselves with. Since the time he hears of a group of saints he prays for them, both alone and with others. He shares this with the subjects of his prayer and encourages them. He remembers them long after he first hears, and does not only pray for those who are sick or suffering. Are we guilty of only bringing certain people to the Lord? When we first studied this my husband and I looked at our prayer list and it consisted only of those who were having difficulty or were ill. But Paul here says for this reason also he prays (v. 9). What reason? He also informed us of your love in the Spirit (v. 8). Paul heard good reports, and so began to pray for them!
And what does he pray?
Colossians 1
9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
What a list! What struck me when I first looked at this passage is that Paul aims high. He knows his God can and will accomplish these things in the Colossian saints, otherwise why pray for them? Paul believes it is possible to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (v. 9), to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects (v. 10), and to attain all steadfastness and patience (v. 11). Do we pray such lofty things for our fellow believers or have we settled for less? When we pray for someone to get well physically we need to submit this request to the Lord’s will and pray ‘yet Your will be done’. When we are praying for spiritual growth however we already know the Lord’s will – that we may be found to be in the likeness of Christ! Too often I find myself praying that someone may be strengthened a little more, that they may have a little more wisdom or knowledge of God. But here Paul takes our minds higher, points us to the power and might of God which accomplishes these things. The letter to the Colossians is very similar to the letter to the Ephesians, and we read there in a similar passage:
Ephesians 1
9and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
What is our view of our Lord’s power and might? God raised Christ from the dead, saved us from our sins and has given us eternal life. He is mighty to accomplish these things in our life. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (v. 13-14).
What a God we serve! Let us aim high in our prayers for one another. Let us believe that God can accomplish these things in our lives. Let us consider ourselves to see whether we are bearing the fruit which accompanies the hearing and understanding of the word of truth. And if we find that we are in Christ let us always give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light (v. 12).
A final word from Hudson Taylor – the man who believed God. “Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him.”
May God bless you.Taliah.
What a list! What struck me when I first looked at this passage is that Paul aims high. He knows his God can and will accomplish these things in the Colossian saints, otherwise why pray for them? Paul believes it is possible to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (v. 9), to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects (v. 10), and to attain all steadfastness and patience (v. 11). Do we pray such lofty things for our fellow believers or have we settled for less? When we pray for someone to get well physically we need to submit this request to the Lord’s will and pray ‘yet Your will be done’. When we are praying for spiritual growth however we already know the Lord’s will – that we may be found to be in the likeness of Christ! Too often I find myself praying that someone may be strengthened a little more, that they may have a little more wisdom or knowledge of God. But here Paul takes our minds higher, points us to the power and might of God which accomplishes these things. The letter to the Colossians is very similar to the letter to the Ephesians, and we read there in a similar passage:
Ephesians 1
9and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
What is our view of our Lord’s power and might? God raised Christ from the dead, saved us from our sins and has given us eternal life. He is mighty to accomplish these things in our life. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (v. 13-14).
What a God we serve! Let us aim high in our prayers for one another. Let us believe that God can accomplish these things in our lives. Let us consider ourselves to see whether we are bearing the fruit which accompanies the hearing and understanding of the word of truth. And if we find that we are in Christ let us always give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light (v. 12).
A final word from Hudson Taylor – the man who believed God. “Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him.”
May God bless you.Taliah.
Look forward to the next study on Colossians, Taliah! I had just been focusing on aiming high in my prayer life when I read your words on this point. It felt like a confirmation from God Himself. Thank You!
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