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the apostle's warning and teaching.
The structure of Colossians places two
members in correspondence thus:
E
1:23 to 2:1 Preaching to present perfect.
E
4:12,13
Prayer to stand perfect.
In order that this new section shall be seen from the Word itself, and
not merely from our disposition of the matter, we will quote the two passages
from the A.V.:
`Warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may
present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour,
striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily. For I
would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at
Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh' (Col.
1:28 to 2:1).
`Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always
labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and
complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a
great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in
Hierapolis' (Col. 4:12,13).
The items that link these two passages together are the double
reference to Laodicea, the use of agonistic terms, agon `conflict' (Col.
2:1), agonizomai `striving' (Col. 1:29) and `labouring fervently' (Col.
4:12). These are subordinate, however, to the central theme:
`That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus' (1:28).
`That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God' (4:12).
The correspondence will be the more readily perceived if set out as
follows:
Paul (Col. 1:28 to 2:1)
A
method -- Warning and teaching.
B
accompaniment -- Striving (agonizomai).
C
object -- Present perfect.
D
announcement -- For I would that you should
know.
E
accompaniment -- What great conflict I
have for you.
F
objects -- For Laodicea and for as many
as have not seen my face in the flesh.
Epaphras (Col. 4:12,13)
A
method -- Prayers.
B
accompaniment -- Labouring fervently (agonizomai).
C
object -- Stand perfect.
D
announcement -- For I bear him record.
E
accompaniment -- That he hath great zeal
for you.
F
objects -- For Laodicea and for
Hierapolis.