Tuesday 20 August 2024
For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you. (v. 9a)
Background
The writer has already described Paul and Timothy as unceasingly engaged in prayer for the believers in Colossae, to whom this letter is addressed (Colossians 1:3). Here, however, there is a detailed account of the prayers offered on behalf of the Colossians.
In the opening verses of the epistle (1:8) there was a description of the news Paul and Timothy received from Epaphras, of the community’s faith and love. Today’s passage begins with the words, ‘For this reason’ as a response to this report.
The prayers of intercessions in this passage are future orientated: they desire and expect further growth and deepening in the life of faith for the members of church. The language is somewhat heightened: "Since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you…" (v. 9) This communicates to the recipients both the intensity with which they are being prayed for and Paul and Timothy’s joy over Epaphras’ news.
At first glance, the focus of the prayers for the church in Colossae might look like a somewhat inward and ‘spiritualised’ understanding of Christian life: "that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (v. 9). But verse 10 makes clear that this is not an end in itself. Rather, such knowledge, wisdom and understanding produce a fundamental realignment, such that Christian life is lived in ways increasingly attuned to and reflective of God. The prominence of ‘good works’ (v. 10) offers an interesting contrast to the sharp division which is sometimes drawn, in Paul's theology, between ‘faith’ and ‘works’, and suggests that this may be a false separation.
The reference to enduring everything with patience (v. 11) is unlikely to be linked to persecution of the church: there is no evidence for this in Colossae at this time. It may simply indicate that the life of faith, and maturing in it, is stretching.
To Ponder:
- Is praying for one another to deepen and mature in the faith something that Christians should do – or do more of? Why/why not?
- Were people to be praying regularly and sincerely for you, what would you hope they were asking God on your behalf?
- Should growth and deepening in Christian life involve being ‘stretched’? In what ways is that true for you?
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Carole Irwin
Carole is a presbyter and has served in circuits in Kent and Bradford, and on the staff of Wesley House. She is currently stationed in the Cambridge Circuit and is leading a research project for a Christian community of people with and without intellectual disabilities, of which she is also a member.