03 The Very Image of God

In the earlier portions of the chapter, Paul commended the Colossians because they were bearing fruit, which in large reason why he then stated how he continually prayed for them:

1 Ceaseless Prayer

Colossians 1:9

This shouldn’t be misunderstood to believe that Paul prayed nonstop. Paul was actually saying that he continually remembered these believers in prayer.

Which certainly should be an example for every believer. True Christian love should demand concern for one another, which will lend to praying for one another.

The Greek word used for prayer in this instance, is the word proseuchoenoi which speaks of either beseeching someone, or to present someone, as one might present an invited speaker before an audience. In this case, it speaks of presenting the Colossians before the Lord.

The next thing Paul mentioned, was that he asked that they would be filled with the knowledge of the Lord’s will.

The Greek word used for “ask” is the word aitoumenoi which means petitioning or making a request.

His first request for them, was that the Lord would give them a full knowledge of His will.

But it was more than them simply having knowledge of God’s will, but that they would be “filled” with that knowledge.

He used a specific Greek word for “filled” the word plēroō, which suggests completeness, much as a cup or pitcher might be filled to overflowing.

This points to the fact, that this knowledge includes “wisdom and spiritual understanding.” Which cannot be manufactured, nor come from the flesh:

1 Corinthians 8:1

Ultimately, it’s this knowledge, which enables the believer to have the mind of Christ:

1 Corinthians 2:16

2 Walking Worthy of the Lord

Paul not only desired for the Colossian believers to know God’s will, but to walk according to His will:

Colossians 1:10-11

This shows how our spiritual knowledge must be lived out and put into action.

The Greek word we have translated as walk, is the word peripateo is speaks of continual motion, ordinarily “forward motion”. It is also when referring to one’s manner of living.

Continual forward motion in Christ, increases one’s spiritual knowledge and understanding. This is what the apostle Peter said:

2 Peter 3:18

Next, Paul prayed that the Colossians would be strengthened with all might, showing that they would have the strength of Christ to meet life’s challenges.

Paul certainly understood that every life brings difficulties and challenges, and therefore believers require patience and longsuffering to deal with those difficulties. Yet, despite that, the believer may have joy in all circumstances, since joy is not dependent upon circumstances, but rather comes from our relationship with Christ.

3 Thanks unto the Father

The next aspect Paul addressed is how the giving of thanks must be an essential part of the believer’s prayer life, as it shows we’ve been chosen by the Father:

Colossians 1:12-14

By stating that the believer has been “qualified” by the Father “to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light” Paul is showing that the Father is the member of the Trinity who set in motion the plan of salvation.

But the inherent idea, is that our inheritance (salvation) is not earned, but we qualify for it based upon our relation as the Father’s child (being in Christ).

Next, he spoke of how the believer has been delivered from the power of darkness. Prior to salvation, we are under Satan’s power, and in darkness:

Ephesians 5:8

However, the Lord not only delivered us from darkness, but conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son.

In verse 14, we’re shown that the believer is redeemed by the blood of Christ. Only His blood can completely cleanse away our sins, which means that we receive forgiveness for them.

4 The Image of God

Verse 15, presents to us, one of the most important tenants of the Christian faith:

Colossians 1:15

Paul describes Christ as the “image of the invisible God.”

The word “image” literally means “representation or manifestation”.

At the outset of His earthly ministry, Jesus spoke of how He only has declared (made manifest) the Father:

John 1:18

The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews, stated that Jesus is the exact representation of the Father’s being:

Hebrews 1:3a

Jesus had spoken of that Himself:

John 14:9

At the end of Colossians 1:15, Jesus is referred to as the “firstborn over all creation”.

When viewed in the English, and without a proper understanding of the original Greek language, on face value this verse has caused a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding.

The Greek word is prototokos which points to “priority in time, and supremacy in rank.”