Colossians 1:9-12. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians
This is one of the most unique prayers in the Bible, for what it does say and what it does not. Paul is in prison, yet he does not pray for himself. He also doesn’t pray for the physical needs of the believers in Colossae. Rather, he prays for their spiritual health and well-being. I think we should remember to also pray for each other this way.
Three things that Paul mentions he prays for:
1. Spiritual intelligence v.9
2. Daily obedience v.10
3. Morally pure living v.10-11
In the 2nd and 3rd century there was a belief called “gnostics” this word meant “to know”. The gnostics claimed to have some special knowledge. This may be why Paul choses to use the same words. Paul says our knowledge is through Him and by Him we are filled. The key verse in this letter is Colossians 2:10 “and in Him you have been made complete. . . “
Vs.9 Paul prays that they might be filled with knowledge of His will. The word filled carries with it the idea of being equipped. It is the word “Pleroo” in the greek. Knowledge is the word “Epignosis” which means precise and complete knowledge. I have been a Sunday School teacher and listened to some students answers to bible questions and it is amazing the level of spiritual ignorance. Most Christians do not study the bible as they should but use excuses. The Lord does not want us to walk in ignorance, of who we are or who the Lord is.
Vs.10. For Peter and Paul, knowledge allows us to walk as he would want us to walk. The idea of walk in vs.10 is in the aorist tense which means “to set out walking”. In some sense this is true for us each day. We set our feet on the ground and set out walking new with the Lord each day. It is never too late to start again or to ask for forgiveness. He wants us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling. What calling is that? It is the calling to walk with Jesus. John 15:1 is clear that is the only way we are fruitful. Notice how many times the word “knowledge is used in this chapter already.
Vs.11- He strengths us for the purpose of steadfastness and patience. It is God who qualifies us for the inheritance of the saints. He wants us to attain steadfastness and patience.
Steadfastness- Hupomone- constancy, endurance.
Patience- Makrothumia- endurance, constancy, perseverance.
Vs.12- We are to joyfully give thanks to the Father. Even when things are not going well we can at least be thankful for the forgiveness, love, grace and mercy of God and the person of Jesus who displayed that for us. He has qualified us for our inheritance. As good as you might be, you didn’t deserve it or earn it.
Qualified vs.12 Hikanoo- to make sufficient
Inheritance- Kleros- allotted portion. Eph 1:11; 1 Peter 1:4 and Rev 21:7 also mentions an inheritance.
This is one of the most unique prayers in the Bible, for what it does say and what it does not. Paul is in prison, yet he does not pray for himself. He also doesn’t pray for the physical needs of the believers in Colossae. Rather, he prays for their spiritual health and well-being. I think we should remember to also pray for each other this way.
Three things that Paul mentions he prays for:
1. Spiritual intelligence v.9
2. Daily obedience v.10
3. Morally pure living v.10-11
In the 2nd and 3rd century there was a belief called “gnostics” this word meant “to know”. The gnostics claimed to have some special knowledge. This may be why Paul choses to use the same words. Paul says our knowledge is through Him and by Him we are filled. The key verse in this letter is Colossians 2:10 “and in Him you have been made complete. . . “
Vs.9 Paul prays that they might be filled with knowledge of His will. The word filled carries with it the idea of being equipped. It is the word “Pleroo” in the greek. Knowledge is the word “Epignosis” which means precise and complete knowledge. I have been a Sunday School teacher and listened to some students answers to bible questions and it is amazing the level of spiritual ignorance. Most Christians do not study the bible as they should but use excuses. The Lord does not want us to walk in ignorance, of who we are or who the Lord is.
Vs.10. For Peter and Paul, knowledge allows us to walk as he would want us to walk. The idea of walk in vs.10 is in the aorist tense which means “to set out walking”. In some sense this is true for us each day. We set our feet on the ground and set out walking new with the Lord each day. It is never too late to start again or to ask for forgiveness. He wants us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling. What calling is that? It is the calling to walk with Jesus. John 15:1 is clear that is the only way we are fruitful. Notice how many times the word “knowledge is used in this chapter already.
Vs.11- He strengths us for the purpose of steadfastness and patience. It is God who qualifies us for the inheritance of the saints. He wants us to attain steadfastness and patience.
Steadfastness- Hupomone- constancy, endurance.
Patience- Makrothumia- endurance, constancy, perseverance.
Vs.12- We are to joyfully give thanks to the Father. Even when things are not going well we can at least be thankful for the forgiveness, love, grace and mercy of God and the person of Jesus who displayed that for us. He has qualified us for our inheritance. As good as you might be, you didn’t deserve it or earn it.
Qualified vs.12 Hikanoo- to make sufficient
Inheritance- Kleros- allotted portion. Eph 1:11; 1 Peter 1:4 and Rev 21:7 also mentions an inheritance.
