 |  |
Colossians 4: 2-11.
The mystery manifested by Paul.
A | a | 2. Pray.
\
b | 3. The Word (Logos).
} Paul.
c | 4. As I ought to speak.
/
a | 5. Walk.
\
b | 6. The Word (Logos).
} Colossians.
c | 6. How ye ought to answer.
/
A | d1 | 7. All my state.
\
e1 | 7. Tychicus shall declare.
\ "Of you."
f | 7. Faithful and beloved.
\
e1 | 9. Onesimus shall make known. /
f | 9. Faithful and beloved.
/ "Comfort you."
d1 | 9. All things done here.
/
d2 | 10. Aristarchus.
\
e2 | 10. Fellow-prisoner.
\ "Of circumcision."
d2 | 10. Marcus.
\
e2 | 10. Cousin to Barnabas.
/
d3 | 11. Jesus.
/ "Comfort me."
e3 | 11. Called Justus.
/
In the first chapter of this epistle, the apostle prays for the Colossians that they may be
filled with all wisdom, and that they may walk worthy of the Lord (Col. 1: 9, 10). Here he
requests a place in their prayers.
In correspondence with "prayer, and watching in the same with thanksgiving", is
placed the passage: "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time."
There is a closer relationship between prayer and walk than we sometimes credit:--
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psa. 66: 18).
"Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your
lusts" (James 4: 3).
Paul desired the prayers of the saints on his behalf, but it would not have been fitting
that those whose walk was not in harmony with their calling should enter into this most
sacred fellowship. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much"
(James 5: 16). And so for effectual prayer on his behalf, the apostle not only exhorts the
saints to pray, but to walk, not only to give thanks, but to redeem the time, not only to
watch in their praying, but to watch the effect of their walk upon those without.
For what did the apostle ask their prayers? He was a prisoner. Did he ask for
deliverance? Roman prisons were not visited by inspectors, were not regulated by
Parliament, and possessed no welfare committees. Material for urgent prayer was on
every hand, yet not a word about his tribulation or weariness does the apostle intrude into
his request. His one great objective is still "The Word". The A.V. translation reads:
"That God would open unto us a door of utterance." The R.V. renders the same passage:
"That God may open unto us a door for the Word." An open door is a figure used several