Thursday, April 12, 2012

A REASON PAUL PRAYS

A Look at Colossians 1:9

The Colossians were abounding in faith and love, this led Paul to report his prayers on their behalf. The phrase, “for this reason,” links verses 9-14 with what preceded in verses 3-6.  It links Paul’s thanksgiving with the intercession and shows the reason or cause for Paul’s prayers. Prayer stems from a thankful heart, for a thankful heart is a praying heart.

Moo notes a number of parallels between the thanksgiving section and the prayer:[1]



“Since the day you heard”      v6                “since the day we heard”                v9

“thanks”                                 v3                “giving…thanks”                            v12

“always”                                  v3                “have not ceased”                          v9

“praying…for you”                   v3               “pray for you”                                  v9

“understood”                           v6                 “knowledge”                             v9, 10

“bearing fruit and increasing” v6              “bearing fruit…increasing”           v10



There is no question that Paul is echoing his thankfulness in his prayers. Thankfulness is the wind upon which prayer glides.



[1]  Moo, COLOSSIANS, 92.

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