Colossians 1:9-14
Rescued and Brought Over
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9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
11being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully
12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
13He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,
14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Berean Standard Bible
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Since hearing of their faith and love, Paul has kept praying for the Colossians. He asks God to fill them with knowledge of His will through spiritual wisdom and understanding. They need to know Him in order to live in a way that pleases Him.
Paul describes the fruit of that knowledge: good works, growth in knowing God, strength for endurance and patience, and joyful thanks to the Father. God's glorious power supports faithful living, including the patient work of continuing when obedience is hard.
The Father has already qualified them to share the inheritance of His people in the light. Their place in that inheritance is His gift. Gratitude grows from recognizing what He has done rather than trying to make themselves worthy of a place He has withheld.
Paul then names the rescue behind their new life. God has delivered them from the dominion of darkness and brought them into the kingdom of His beloved Son. In the Son they have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. They belong under a new Lord because God has acted to save them.
This rescue gives direction to Paul's prayer. He asks that those who have been forgiven and brought into Christ's kingdom will grow in understanding and live faithfully as His people.
Questions
1 Why does Paul pray for knowledge of God's will?
AnswerHe wants the believers to live worthily of the Lord and please Him, bearing fruit in good works and growing in knowing God.
2 What does God's glorious power strengthen them to do?
AnswerIt gives endurance and patience. They can continue faithfully and give joyful thanks to the Father through His strength.
3 What has the Father done about their inheritance?
AnswerHe has qualified them to share the inheritance of the saints in the light. Their place rests in His gracious action.
4 From what has God rescued them, and where has He brought them?
AnswerHe has rescued them from darkness's dominion and brought them into His beloved Son's kingdom, where they have redemption and forgiveness.
What This Means for Us
When patience is wearing thin, ask God for the strength Paul describes. The conversation, caregiving task or repeated duty before you may require endurance more than a quick burst of effort.
You can seek help or a better situation while also asking to live faithfully now. Remember the rescue that already belongs to believers in Christ: forgiveness and a place in His kingdom give reasons for thanks even before the present difficulty changes.
Prayer
Father, thank You for rescuing us and bringing us into Your Son's kingdom. Fill us with knowledge of Your will, strengthen our patience and make our lives fruitful in good works. Amen.