Colossians 1:9-10
"...we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you..."
Paul as a mature christian speaking of what he does on behalf of the Colossians who were, relatively speaking, new christians. Note that he doesn't just pray for his less mature brethren though that is, obviously, a powerful thing to do. Paul also lets the Colossians know that he's praying for them.
"...and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding..."
Presumably, this is even before he prays for their physical safety and well-being. Would being "filled" with the knowledge of God's will mean being emptied of one's own?
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God"
Had Paul stopped with "Walk worthy", he might have created an order of monks. Instead, he continues on to mention "every good work." I think there is an interaction with the rest of the world hinted at there; something that is made more explicit in other sections. Also, a clue with the word "increasing." Knowledge of God is not gained in one fell swoop no matter how great an experience one has. It increases and grows, probably in reponse to the "walk" and the "good works". Like a muscle. If knowledge of God was something that could come to a human being all at once, perfect and complete, I'm sure Paul would have prayed for that instead.
Paul as a mature christian speaking of what he does on behalf of the Colossians who were, relatively speaking, new christians. Note that he doesn't just pray for his less mature brethren though that is, obviously, a powerful thing to do. Paul also lets the Colossians know that he's praying for them.
"...and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding..."
Presumably, this is even before he prays for their physical safety and well-being. Would being "filled" with the knowledge of God's will mean being emptied of one's own?
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God"
Had Paul stopped with "Walk worthy", he might have created an order of monks. Instead, he continues on to mention "every good work." I think there is an interaction with the rest of the world hinted at there; something that is made more explicit in other sections. Also, a clue with the word "increasing." Knowledge of God is not gained in one fell swoop no matter how great an experience one has. It increases and grows, probably in reponse to the "walk" and the "good works". Like a muscle. If knowledge of God was something that could come to a human being all at once, perfect and complete, I'm sure Paul would have prayed for that instead.
posted by Steven at 6:41 PM
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