Paul's Prayer for the Colossians
Colossians 1:9-14
Paul prays for their knowledge of God's will to the end of producing in them a lifestyle of thanksgiving for Christ.
#Thanksgiving
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#Christ
Published December 26th, 2016
Commentary
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Commentary
Having informed the Colossians in vv. 3-8 of why Paul is so thankful when he prays for them, he now informs them in vv. 9ff of what he prays for them. Paul wants them to be filled with the knowledge of God's will (v. 9). But this knowledge is not an end in itself but a means to the end of a lifestyle that pleases God (10a). This lifestyle is explained in vv. 10-11, culminating in a lifestyle characterized by a thanksgiving (11b) that is grounded in the deliverance God has granted through his Son (11-14).
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Colossians 1:9-15
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Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἡμεῖς, ἀφʼ ἧς ἡμέρας ἠκούσαμεν, οὐ παυόμεθα ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν προσευχόμενοι καὶ αἰτούμενοι, ἵνα πληρωθῆτε τὴν ἐπίγνωσιν τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ ἐν πάσῃ σοφίᾳ καὶ συνέσει πνευματικῇ,
On account of this (namely, what Epaphras told us in vv 4-8 about the gospel coming to you), from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will with all Holy Spirit-given wisdom and understanding,
περιπατῆσαι ἀξίως τοῦ κυρίου εἰς πᾶσαν ἀρεσκείαν,
( in order that you might) walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, (that is,) fully pleasing to him,
ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ καρποφοροῦντες
(let me say more about this way of life that is worthy of the Lord [Jesus] and is pleasing to Him:) you are bearing fruit in every good work
καὶ αὐξανόμενοι τῇ ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ θεοῦ,
and (you are) increasing in the knowledge of God.
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ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει δυναμούμενοι κατὰ τὸ κράτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ εἰς πᾶσαν ὑπομονὴν καὶ μακροθυμίαν.
(this way of life is further explained as being) strengthened with all power, according to the might that belongs to His glory, for all endurance and patience
Μετὰ χαρᾶς εὐχαριστοῦντες τῷ πατρὶ
(this way of life also is characterized by) joyfully giving thanks to the Father,
τῷ ἱκανώσαντι ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν μερίδα τοῦ κλήρου τῶν ἁγίων ἐν τῷ φωτί•
(the reason you give thanks to the Father is because He) has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
ὃς ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς ἐκ τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ σκότους
( in that ) He has delivered us from the domain of darkness
καὶ μετέστησεν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ υἱοῦ τῆς ἀγάπης αὐτοῦ,
and (He has) transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, τὴν ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν•
(now let me describe the Son in terms of what He has accomplished and who He is) In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(Verses 15-20, see next arc)
Further description of who Christ is and what He has accomplished
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