For The Colossians (1:9-12)

by J.W. Archibald, Wembley, England | Category: Paul's Prison Prayers | Jul 1996

This lovely prayer was made by Paul and Timothy for the saints in the Church of God in Colossae, but the needs that it addresses are needs we would recognize in churches of God today. Before looking at the prayer itself it is helpful to consider:

What prompted this prayer?

Paul and Timothy were moved to pray by the news they had received about the Colossian saints. It was heartening to hear of their faith in Christ Jesus and of their love for all the saints (v.4). No doubt there were matters that gave Paul concern about the Church in Colossae, but to see the evidences of faith and love among the saints was a very positive feature. Paul begins his letter by expressing his joy about their strengths rather than focussing at once on weaknesses. They had love toward all saints, not just some of the saints. It is a wonderful thing when people of differing temperament, interests and background are able to display the character of Christ by having love to one another in the Church. Love toward all the saints implies also that there were evidences of care and affection for saints in other churches of God in the Fellowship at that time. Their love for the saints was Fellowship-wide, as was Paul's. This love is described as love in the Spirit (v.8). The Holy Spirit seeks always to stir up and promote this love in each saint, which is necessary for there to be the 'unity of the Spirit' that Paul speaks of in Ephesians chapter 4. The God-glorifying faith and love of the saints in Colossae would make them a prime target for the Adversary and so Paul and his fellow-worker Timothy felt the need to pray for them.

The prayer was sustained:

'We also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray (v.9). The Lord Himself commended the practice of sustained and unrelenting prayer (Luke 18:1-5) and here is another example. The needs of the Colossians were ongoing and the efforts of the Adversary would not be casual, therefore the prayer was a continuing exercise by these valiant servants of the Lord. Paul's care for all the churches must have involved long periods of supplication in the presence of God.

It was a prayer for completeness:

Please notice the expressions:

'filled with the knowledge of His will' (v.9).

'all spiritual wisdom and understanding' (v.9)

'unto all pleasing' (v.10)

'every good work' (v.10)

'strengthened with all power' (v.11)

'all patience and longsuffering' (v.11).

The Adversary labours ceaselessly to limit the fulfilment of God's purpose and pleasure in His saints. Satan can never achieve complete and final victory in a child of God but it is his objective to frustrate as much as possible the attainment of full potential. Too often in the terms of Paul's prayer we recognize in ourselves partial knowledge of God's will, limited spiritual wisdom, pleasing in part, a few good works, reduced power and too little patience and long-suffering. To the extent that this is so, God is not honoured and the Adversary has the victory. In this prayer there are four areas of specific request.

(1) Knowledge of God's will (v.9):

We understand from the context that this means God's will for the conduct of our lives. It includes the standards of behaviour that He has set for us and how and with whom He wants us to serve Him. Its scope embraces our individual devotion and testimony as well as God's pattern of church fellowship and service. It is impossible to please God fully without a correct and complete knowledge of these things. This knowledge can only be imparted to us by the Spirit of God from the Word of God. To be filled with it we need to be filled with God's Word, living in the Word until the Word lives in us. The Spirit of God will also supply the spiritual wisdom and understanding to apply this knowledge if we are receptive.

(2) Worthy behaviour (v.10):

To walk worthily of the Lord means to conduct ourselves in such a way that His character is expressed in what we do and say. In this way we acknowledge in practice that He is Lord, and so please God fully. In this connection Paul speaks of bearing fruit, and he indicates that this is accompanied by the increasing knowledge of God. A literal translation reads: 'growing with regard to the true spiritual knowledge of God'. Bearing fruit means that we make a positive contribution in our lives and in the Assembly, having a positive effect on others. We shall be building the Temple of God and not destroying it. But knowing God is essential to displaying this kind of attitude and behaviour. The Lord said to His disciples 'Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me'. Sometimes we try to take the yoke and forget that we need also to learn of Him. Here again the Word of God is our only source of knowledge. It is easy to see why godly people of all times have set such store by the written Word and given it such a supreme place in their lives.

(3) Spiritual strength (v.11):

Paul prayed that the Colossians might be 'strengthened with all power,

according to the might of His glory, unto ...' If we didn't know what followed we might wonder what astounding feats of irresistible aggression would fittingly display such limitless power. But the true outworking of the mighty power of God in our lives is seen in those gentle and faithful virtues of patience and longsuffering! Patience has to do with our reaction to our circumstances and longsuffering is about our response to other people. Both are required if we are to fulfil what God desires of us. Contentment with our lot and warmth towards our fellow-saints is a reliable indicator of spiritual strength is not. The word translated might (of His glory) appears in many New Testament contexts. A derivative of it is translated 'continued stedfasfly in Acts 2:42. Perhaps the greatest manifestation of spiritual strength is in being a patient continuer in the service of God among His people. This is in accord with the Lord's personal word to His apostles in Luke chapter 22 when they had been discussing who should be the greatest. After He bad corrected their thinking on this He went on to say 'But ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations; and I appoint unto you a kingdom'. Greatness in the sight of God is having the grace to continue. We also note that the patience and longsuffering that demonstrate the might of God's glory are not gloomy virtues of sad endurance. Paul prays for patience and longsuffering with joy. In any discussion of spiritual strength the words of Nehemiah to the remnant people of God must figure prominently: 'neither be ye grieved; for the joy of the LORD is your strength' (Neh. 8:10).

(4) Thankfulness (v.12):

We believe that the beginning of verse 12 was part of what Paul prayed for the Colossians. He prayed that they would be 'giving thanks unto the Father'. How could it be possible to know God and not have a thankful heart? It rejoices His heart when we express our appreciation to Him for all His wonderful mercy and goodness. This is the purpose for which we were created, to know God and to adore Him. But here Paul speaks of 'the Father, who' made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light'. Sometimes in this world individuals from a relatively poor background unexpectedly obtain wealth beyond their wildest dream. The saints of God have an inheritance vastly richer than any earthly prize. 'Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, and which entered not into the heart of mm, whatsoever things God prepared for them that love Him' (1 Cor. 2:9,10). These things God reveals to believers through the Spirit for their present encouragement, inspiration and joy. Truly we now know only in part (1 Cor. 13:12). But God has not only obtained these things for us at infinite cost, He will also make us fit to hold and enjoy such sublime favour in all the splendour of the eternal day!

J.W. Archibald, Wembley, England | Jul 1996
Paul's Prison Prayers