Colossians1:1-14
Q.1. Why was Paul thankful for the Colossians? What was his prayer for the church? How did he commend Epaphras? – (Col.1:1-8)
Paul addressed himself as – an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God … (Col.1:1). He was glad, that after embracing the Gospel, the believers at Colossae were expressing their faith practically. How? They demonstrated faith in Christ by loving the saints (i.e. other believers), as indeed they should (Col.1:4). They were motivated by – the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel (Col.1:5). The Gospel Paul shared included a focus on their future hope. He was thrilled that – 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 (Col.1:6). This was a genuine work of the Holy Spirit. Paul was a team player in a team that included Timothy and Epaphras – our beloved bond servant … and – a faithful servant of Christ … (Col.1:7).
Q.2. What was significant about the way Paul prayed for the Colossians? What should be the goal for all followers of Christ? – (Col.1:9-12)
Unlike many of us believers, whose prayers are mainly about our own needs, Paul prayed fervently for the spiritual growth and fruitfulness of others – these new believers – … 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, 10 So 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 (Col.1:9-10). The Christian life is all about pleasing God, and not just ourselves. This is the consistent focus of all the Epistles that open with Paul’s prayers – see also Rom.1:8-10; 1 Cor.1:4-8; Eph.1:15-19; 3:14-21; Phil.1:9-11; Phlm.1: 4-7.
Q.3. What transformation should we expect in new believers? How far-reaching is our salvation? – (Col.1:12-14)
The outcome of our final destiny could not be more opposite, when we believe and accept that Christ forgave us all our sins. Much more, God has actually qualified us, along with all others who are born again, to be accepted and joined into His family – 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Col.1:12-13). Christ bought us, redeemed us from slavery to sin, and forgave all our offences against our holy God. This means that – 14 in Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins … having cancelled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (Col.1:14; 2:14).