Col 1:9-11 | KingComments | STEP | . Let us see once again the hallmarks of the gospel. First, you see that it has to do with the hope, which is the future. The second characteristic is that this message of hope is not limited to the Jewish people. The gospel reached the Colossians who were in the world, and now it has reached even you. It came to them. It is as if a person entered from somewhere. This is indeed so, because the gospel represents Christ. The third characteristic is that it brings forth fruit everywhere in the world wherever believers are. What the gospel caused in Colossae is to be seen in every believer throughout the world. The gospel has brought you into contact with God. Consequently it also produces fruit in you for God. The gospel is first the seed that, the moment you heard it and believed it, conceived in you the eternal life. So you became the fruit of the gospel for God. Thereafter the gospel has become a seed that produces fruit in your life. This fruit also is for God. First you must become a fruit in order that you may bring forth fruit. Wherever the gospel is accepted you see growth and fruit and not stagnation or decline. That is the big difference between Christendom and other religions, and especially the Jewish system. All religions demand fruit from a man without a change taking place in his inner life. Christendom on the other hand brings first an inner change through conversion and new life, and then fruit and growth are visible. The gospel that is preached is complete in itself. We cannot make it easier, or richer or simpler. It cannot be enriched or improved by any means. What can be bigger and better is the fruit bearing and the growth. The preaching of the gospel is God’s part and fruit bearing and growth are your part. One can hinder fruit bearing and growth by allowing all kinds of things in his life that the Lord does not want. This happens when you forget the “grace of God” that you have known “in truth”. Can you still remember how you went to the cross with your sins? There you acknowledged that you could be saved only by the grace of God. You acknowledged that God’s truth applies to you, too – as He says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” ( ). You also acknowledged His salvation in Christ which He offered to you in His mercy. You are converted, have eternal life, and are in a position to bear fruit and grow. Marvel continuously about the grace of God that you have sincerely understood. You had no right to it. It is a gift from heaven. Then you will see quickly when things come into your life that slow down or even prevent the process of fruit bearing and growth. . There were people among the Colossians who in order to gain influence, taught things that were contrary to the teachings of Epaphras. If their evil intentions would succeed, then that would be the end of fruit bearing and growth in the Colossians. Epaphras brought a pure gospel to them. He was the means of their conversion. Without any jealousy Paul mentions the service that Epaphras had done there. Paul underscores the correctness of what Epaphras taught. He speaks about the gospel as a doctrine. It is not a dogma but a doctrine which means life. Not only by a new birth, but in everything this life involves afterward. You can read a beautiful description of this doctrine in Titus 2 ( ). Besides the teaching of Epaphras, Paul also emphasizes his work together with him. He calls him “our beloved fellow bond-servant”. Paul places Epaphras on a par with himself and Timothy, and with the word ‘beloved’ he gives expression to his special relationship with Epaphras. When servants of God so speak of one another, and so relate to each other, then there is no room for any base motives in rivalry. Paul praises the faithfulness of Epaphras in his service to Christ. Faithfulness is the most important feature of any service that is done for the Lord ( ). The Lord does not reward a gift or success but faithfulness ( ). This should be a great encouragement for you and me to live entirely for Him and not be envious of what others do. . Epaphras’ faithful service to Christ is expressed in his concern for the Colossians. His service did not stop with his preaching of the gospel. He also did the follow up. When he saw the approaching danger that they would deviate from Christ, he rushed to Paul and Timothy. He not only spoke of the error which threatened to find entry, but he also reported about the deep and sincere Christian love of the Colossians, the source of which was the Spirit. This at the same time was proof that correction was not yet too late. The Spirit was still in action in their lives. . After this introduction full of gratitude Paul shares with them that from the moment he heard of their conversion he was constantly praying for them. Here you see the best way to keep your spiritual interests alive toward certain particular believers. Paul also shares with them the content of his prayers for them. From this you can learn what and how you can pray for others. Our prayers and our supplications have to do with our perspective on God’s interests in His children. If we are aware how deeply God is interested in all His own, would we not, then, pray more for their problems and would think less of our problems? We are often more like the Abraham who asked: “O Lord GOD, what will You give me?” ( ) than like the Abraham who worshiped Him and prayed for others ( ). Paul is more like the latter. The first thing he asks is that they “may be filled with the knowledge of His will”. The apostle is not satisfied with anything less. The will of God must fill their whole thoughts and their entire view. Then there is no place for the own will or for the approaching errors. However, doing the will of God is not a matter of blind obedience. That is why the apostle next prays for “all spiritual wisdom and understanding”. This will enable you to do the will of God in your life in the right way and with spiritual understanding. Now read Colossians 1:6-9 again. Reflection: What are the truths of faith that are connected with the gospel?

‏ Colossians 1:9-11

The Truth of the Gospel

Col 1:6. Let us see once again the hallmarks of the gospel. First, you see that it has to do with the hope, which is the future. The second characteristic is that this message of hope is not limited to the Jewish people. The gospel reached the Colossians who were in the world, and now it has reached even you. It came to them. It is as if a person entered from somewhere. This is indeed so, because the gospel represents Christ.

The third characteristic is that it brings forth fruit everywhere in the world wherever believers are. What the gospel caused in Colossae is to be seen in every believer throughout the world. The gospel has brought you into contact with God. Consequently it also produces fruit in you for God. The gospel is first the seed that, the moment you heard it and believed it, conceived in you the eternal life. So you became the fruit of the gospel for God. Thereafter the gospel has become a seed that produces fruit in your life. This fruit also is for God.

First you must become a fruit in order that you may bring forth fruit. Wherever the gospel is accepted you see growth and fruit and not stagnation or decline. That is the big difference between Christendom and other religions, and especially the Jewish system. All religions demand fruit from a man without a change taking place in his inner life. Christendom on the other hand brings first an inner change through conversion and new life, and then fruit and growth are visible.

The gospel that is preached is complete in itself. We cannot make it easier, or richer or simpler. It cannot be enriched or improved by any means. What can be bigger and better is the fruit bearing and the growth. The preaching of the gospel is God’s part and fruit bearing and growth are your part. One can hinder fruit bearing and growth by allowing all kinds of things in his life that the Lord does not want.

This happens when you forget the “grace of God” that you have known “in truth”. Can you still remember how you went to the cross with your sins? There you acknowledged that you could be saved only by the grace of God. You acknowledged that God’s truth applies to you, too – as He says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). You also acknowledged His salvation in Christ which He offered to you in His mercy. You are converted, have eternal life, and are in a position to bear fruit and grow.

Marvel continuously about the grace of God that you have sincerely understood. You had no right to it. It is a gift from heaven. Then you will see quickly when things come into your life that slow down or even prevent the process of fruit bearing and growth.

Col 1:7. There were people among the Colossians who in order to gain influence, taught things that were contrary to the teachings of Epaphras. If their evil intentions would succeed, then that would be the end of fruit bearing and growth in the Colossians. Epaphras brought a pure gospel to them. He was the means of their conversion.

Without any jealousy Paul mentions the service that Epaphras had done there. Paul underscores the correctness of what Epaphras taught. He speaks about the gospel as a doctrine. It is not a dogma but a doctrine which means life. Not only by a new birth, but in everything this life involves afterward. You can read a beautiful description of this doctrine in Titus 2 (Tit 2:10-15).

Besides the teaching of Epaphras, Paul also emphasizes his work together with him. He calls him “our beloved fellow bond-servant”. Paul places Epaphras on a par with himself and Timothy, and with the word ‘beloved’ he gives expression to his special relationship with Epaphras. When servants of God so speak of one another, and so relate to each other, then there is no room for any base motives in rivalry.

Paul praises the faithfulness of Epaphras in his service to Christ. Faithfulness is the most important feature of any service that is done for the Lord (1Cor 4:2). The Lord does not reward a gift or success but faithfulness (Mt 25:20-23). This should be a great encouragement for you and me to live entirely for Him and not be envious of what others do.

Col 1:8. Epaphras’ faithful service to Christ is expressed in his concern for the Colossians. His service did not stop with his preaching of the gospel. He also did the follow up. When he saw the approaching danger that they would deviate from Christ, he rushed to Paul and Timothy. He not only spoke of the error which threatened to find entry, but he also reported about the deep and sincere Christian love of the Colossians, the source of which was the Spirit. This at the same time was proof that correction was not yet too late. The Spirit was still in action in their lives.

Col 1:9. After this introduction full of gratitude Paul shares with them that from the moment he heard of their conversion he was constantly praying for them. Here you see the best way to keep your spiritual interests alive toward certain particular believers. Paul also shares with them the content of his prayers for them. From this you can learn what and how you can pray for others.

Our prayers and our supplications have to do with our perspective on God’s interests in His children. If we are aware how deeply God is interested in all His own, would we not, then, pray more for their problems and would think less of our problems? We are often more like the Abraham who asked: “O Lord GOD, what will You give me?” (Gen 15:2) than like the Abraham who worshiped Him and prayed for others (Gen 18:23-33). Paul is more like the latter.

The first thing he asks is that they “may be filled with the knowledge of His will”. The apostle is not satisfied with anything less. The will of God must fill their whole thoughts and their entire view. Then there is no place for the own will or for the approaching errors.

However, doing the will of God is not a matter of blind obedience. That is why the apostle next prays for “all spiritual wisdom and understanding”. This will enable you to do the will of God in your life in the right way and with spiritual understanding.

Now read Colossians 1:6-9 again.

Reflection: What are the truths of faith that are connected with the gospel?

Walk Worthy of the Lord

Col 1:10. With this verse we come to the heart of the letter. The point is to walk worthy of the Lord. This is not said to a select group of super Christians, but to all Christians. It is not a concept that leads to the formation of trained preachers who are able to convey their knowledge to large groups of people. No, it is an order to which every believer should give the highest priority. Here you are called to a walk that is in accordance with the worthiness of the Lord. Therefore you must indeed know the worthiness of the Lord, which is brought before you extensively from Col 1:16 onward.

That He is called ‘Lord’ brings you to a relationship with the position the Lord Jesus now occupies, a position He received from God (Acts 2:36). Besides the knowledge of His worthiness, it is also important that you recognize His rights as Lord in every area of your life. Knowing His worthiness and the acknowledgment of His lordship will result in your whole walk being a pleasure for God. God will recognize the image of His Son in such a walk. He rejoices in it.

Now you should see the other unique effects of such a walk. First it is about every good work. You can take it as a species of rich fruit; every good work is a certain fruit. The fruit, the good work, is the result of your connection to the Lord Jesus Christ as the true vine (Jn 15:1).

Sometimes one is happy when he does a good work once. But God is not pleased with that. He has provided you with all the necessary means so that you can do nothing else than good works. You can use these means if you take the preceding and the following verses and let them work in your life. When God endows you with such rich resources, you should not be satisfied with doing something good now and then.

As mentioned in Col 1:6, fruit bearing is followed by growth. By fruit bearing, people think more about the enjoyment of the one for whom the fruit is determined. That is why it is given the first place. By growth is meant the life that develops itself, the process of increase and maturity. This is about the believer.

It is not about growth in the knowledge of God but growth through the knowledge of God. If we use in our lives what we know of Him we will grow. The argument that knowledge is not important but that it is all about practical Christian life doesn’t make sense. Without knowledge it is impossible to grow in faith and put Christian life into practice. Incidentally it is a mistake to assume that you can do something practical without you knowing how it works. This applies to social life as well as to spiritual life.

Col 1:11. In society you also see that people who speak knowledgeably radiate power. Your strength to walk worthy of the Lord is in the knowledge of God; the more you know of God the less prone you are to resistance and to all kinds of errors. You are "strengthened with all power”; there is the power to overcome every form of resistance.

This is not a power from an earthly, human source. This would give no guarantee of victory. No, your power comes from the heavenly glory, the glory of God, the glory of the Lord Jesus. That is the source with which you are brought into contact and nothing can work against it.

This power is not only resistant to fierce attacks but also to long lasting attacks. As long as you are on the earth there will be resistance. The greatness of this power is that you can bear all. And while you persevere you remain patient and you are even happy. You do not experience this with people who do not know Christ. Perhaps they have an enormous capacity to stick it out and can put away a lot of attacks. Their patience however will come to an end sometime, not to mention the absence of joy.

The Christian who is focused on Christ is able to endure suffering with patience and even with joy instead of yearning to be delivered from suffering (1Pet 1:6-9). That is the wonder of real power and not the accomplishments of heroic deeds in the forms of signs and miracles as healings, exorcisms and raising the dead. You will be strengthened with all power – the standard for this is Christ in glory – to be patient and forbearing in a world where you are going through pain and suffering in your life with God. There is no clearer proof of the power than this life-style.

Col 1:12. A walk in this life-style gives joy. This joy is directed to the Father and expresses itself in thanksgiving to Him. Thus you are lifted above your circumstances. Your thoughts are focused on what the Father has done for you and what He has given you. Then you see that you cannot but thank Him.

He has already enabled you together with all the saints who belong to the church, to enjoy the inheritance in the light of God’s presence. That really is something great, isn’t it? It does not say here that He will enable you sometime; neither does it say that you are indeed able but that you must continue to grow further. That is all not the case at all. Your capability is an established fact. You have received this by your new nature. You are born of God and you have received God’s nature, and therefore you can be in the light of God.

However the inheritance lies in the future. Peter also speaks about it (1Pet 1:4). The inheritance is what the Lord Jesus will possess when He reigns over all things. Then you will also reign with Him. You inherit from God as His child (Rom 8:17) and that means that your inheritance is from your Father. The Father Who gave you the rights over His inheritance has prepared you to receive it and to enjoy it.

Col 1:13. However, something must have happened in you, by which you became enabled to share in His inheritance. To begin with, you did not belong to the light at all, but on the contrary to darkness, lacking even the smallest ray of light. You were in its power, the darkness holding you prisoner. Satan, the prince of darkness, was your master. Those who sit in darkness lack even the smallest ray of light. There was absolutely no orientation as to where you were or where you were going.

How terrible the darkness was, was found when the Lord Jesus came as the light. But the darkness did remain (Jn 1:5) because people loved darkness rather than light (Jn 3:19). The power of darkness held people captives – this was shown at its height when people caught the Lord Jesus and killed Him (Lk 22:53). The grace of God however is greater. The Lord Jesus conquered the power of darkness. He rose from the dead. As a result the One Who said “light shall shine out of darkness” has shone in your heart and saved you from this power (2Cor 4:6).

But that was not the end. After He saved you, you have not landed in a kind of no-man’s-land; neither has the Father transferred you back to a restored paradise. It is much more glorious. He transferred you to the kingdom of His beloved Son. In this kingdom the Son is the Center. The atmosphere of this kingdom is the love of the Father to His Son.

When you think of a kingdom, you think of domination and subjection. It is so here also, but everything is embedded in the love of the Father to the Son. So it is not just an atmosphere, but it is all about Divine Persons. You have already been brought into contact with the Father and the Son, and their love already surrounds you. I do not know if you can come up with anything greater.

Now read Colossians 1:10-13 again.

Reflection: Examine the blessings Paul lists here. Thank the Father for every blessing.