Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians

The church at Colossae was probably started during Paul’s three-year tenure at Ephesus. This is when he met Epaphras, who probably was responsible for bringing the gospel back to his hometown, Colossae (1:7). The letter was written during Paul’s first imprisonment at Rome. Epaphras was with him there and related to him the false teaching that was endangering the church, the reason for Paul’s writing to them. Paul faithfully and earnestly prayed for these saints (v. 9).

First, Paul asked that they would be “filled with the knowledge [full knowledge] of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” It is clear that only those who do the will of God can hope to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 7:21; 1 John 2:17). This was vitally important to insure their ability to resist those who attempted to deceive them with false doctrine. The mystery cults taught that a secret or hidden knowledge was available only to insiders. Paul refuted that every believer, not just a few elite members, should be filled to the full with the will of God. 

Two terms regarding their having full knowledge of God’s will are spiritually comprehending it and having the wisdom or spiritual insight to live the will of God. Wisdom is a biblical conception descriptive of a godly person who is able to live out spiritual truths (Hosea 14:9; Colossians 4:5). Wisdom enables those possessing it to be self-controlled, open to discipline and correction, and able to keep control of the tongue. Proverbs 17:28 argues that one who remains silent will be thought of as wise. Most importantly, wisdom is a characteristic of a righteous person (Psalm 37:30).

The result of having these Spirit-given and -managed functions of the will of God is that believers are enabled to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (v. 10). Walking worthy of the Lord means that we life selflessly as God’s image-bearers, loving God and others in order to reflect His image in world as He originally intended that we do. Such worthy walking is pleasing to the Lord. It allows us to bear spiritual fruit to the glory of God and deepens our relationship with God, not simply increasing intellectual knowledge.

This worthy walk is possible because one is “being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” (v. 11). Our worthy walk is not free from trials and difficulties. However, the power of the Spirit enables joy, which is the positive response of hope and expectation in the midst of hard circumstances. Joy makes endurance and patience possible. Joy responds with thanksgiving to the Father who is using circumstances and qualifying the believer “to share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (v. 12). This how we need to pray for each other.