Col 1:3-14 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Col 1:3-14: 1:3-14 This opening section begins with a thanksgiving, typical of New Testament letters. Paul thanks God for the Colossians’ progress in the faith and prays that they might understand it even better. With this prayer, Paul hints at his concern about the influence of false teachers.

Summary for Col 1:3-14: 1:3-14 ^a This opening section begins with a thanksgiving, typical of New Testament letters. Paul thanks God for the Colossians’ progress in the faith and prays that they might understand it even better. With this prayer, Paul hints at his concern about the influence of false teachers.
1:4 ^b God’s people (literally holy ones, or saints): In the New Testament, all Christians are saints, people who have been specially set apart by God as his own holy people (3:12 ^c).
1:5 ^d The Colossian Christians’ confident hope gives them a secure foundation for their faith and love (1:4 ^e).

• What God has reserved for believers has not yet been fully revealed, but it already exists in heaven.
1:6 ^f bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives: The Good News is effective to change lives and bring about spiritual growth (cp. 1:10 ^g).
1:7 ^h Epaphras (see also 4:12-13 ⁱ; Phlm 1:23 ^j) was probably converted when Paul ministered in Ephesus (see Acts 19:10 ^k) and then returned to Colosse to bring the Good News to his own town.
Summary for Col 1:9-10: 1:9-10 ^l Paul prays that God would grant his readers deeper understanding of the Good News and its full expression in their lives. Spiritual growth yields a clearer and deeper comprehension of Christian truth and conduct that pleases the Lord, through which a believer will have the endurance and patience to stand firm against evil (1:11 ^m).
Summary for Col 1:12-13: 1:12-13 ⁿ always thanking the Father: Humble gratitude to God for salvation is a powerful antidote to the lure of false teaching (see also 2:7 ^o; 3:17 ^p; 4:2 ^q).

• The inheritance is what God has promised his people (e.g., see Deut 3:28 ^r; Ps 33:12 ^s; Ezek 44:28 ^t). In the New Testament, the inheritance consists of salvation and final deliverance (see also Eph 1:11 ^u; Titus 3:7 ^v; Heb 9:15 ^w).