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parents--"for this is well pleasing unto the Lord." It is further expressed when servants
obey their masters not as "men-pleasers", but in singleness of heart.
Thanksgiving to the Father in Col. 1: is restricted to the glorious fact of meetness for
the inheritance; in Col. 3: 17 it expands to the sanctifying of every word and work.
The distinctive purposes of the two sections of Colossians are clearly seen in the two
references to the "inheritance". In Col. 1: we find our standing. There we rejoice that
we are "made meet" for the inheritance. Col. 3: 16 - iv 1 gives our subsequent state, our
manifesting now the blessed position which is already ours in Christ. There we read, not
of meetness for the inheritance, but of "the reward of the inheritance"; not because we
are "in Christ", but because we "serve the Lord Jesus Christ".
We trust it is amply demonstrated that the two members Col. 1: 9-12 and
Col. 3: 16 - 4: 1 are in perfect balance. Not until the prayer of Col. 1: receives an
answer according to Col. 3: can we rest satisfied that we have entered into its fullness.
To some the high thought in Col. 1: concerning the inheritance and the saints in the light
may seem too lofty for domestic affairs, but it is not. It is utter folly for anyone who
disdains the scriptural call to walk worthy as a wife or a husband, to contemplate the
higher steps of spiritual attainment. Before a man lays claim to the spiritual wisdom and
understanding and worthy walk of Col. 1:, let his relationship as husband and father,
master or servant, be brought "into the light"; otherwise his profession of holiness and
spiritual attainment may be characterized in the language of I Cor. 13: 1-3.
The prayer of Col. 1: 9-12.
We now come to the prayer of Col. 1: 9-12. It is concerned with the "knowledge of
God", and is divided into two parts. The first part deals with prayer "with the object that
(hina) ye might be filled as to the knowledge of His will"; the second part using en and
eis ("in" and "unto"--"means" and "end") deals with fruit and increase as to the
knowledge of God.
The prayer (Col. 1: 9-12).
A | 9. Object (hina). | That ye may be filled as to the knowledge of His will.
B | 9-11. Means (en) and end (eis).
a1 | 9. Means (en). In all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
b1 | 10. End (eis). Unto all pleasing. Walk.
a2 | 10. Means (en). In every good work being fruitful.
b1 | 10. End (eis). Unto the knowledge of God increasing.
a3 | 11. Means (en). In all might being strengthened.
b3 | 11. End (eis). Unto all patience and longsuffering.
A | 12. With (meta). | With joy giving thanks for meetness for inheritance.
The object.--"That ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will." There are five
occurrences of the verb "to fill" in Colossians, and if the one translation, "to complete",
be used, some idea of the intention of the apostle may be gathered. We do not, however,
suggest this word as the best translation of pleroo.