1. Hearing of the Colossians faith.
2. The Gospel coming to the Colossians
3. The Gospel bears fruit and increases (in them)
2. The Gospel coming to the Colossians
1. Hearing of the Colossians faith.
The Prayer is for their bearing fruit and increasing...
note the parallel to the prayer of thanksgiving...
they were the fruit of the Gospel, now they are bearing fruit.
Note the role of Knowledge
Knowledge / Understanding has been key throughout the text
v6 - understanding started their salvation
v6 - the trigger of Paul's request for the Colossians is for knowledge
knowledge is the trigger for the application :
that they may walk in a manner pleasing of the lord
note that knowledge brings about walking...which
brings about increased knowledge.
knowledge is not dry information - it is that which
brings about 'pleasing the lord' (first step towards action)
Note the God-Centricity of the passage
Knowledge is of God
Action (walking) is to please God
Means is...the power of God (and the knowledge given by God)
Result is our giving thanks to God and our sharing in the inheritance of God
Paul's prayer is not selfish, nor for earthly gain.