Spiritual Concern

The division of chapters at this point is somewhat misleading, because it tends to prevent our observing that the subject is continuous, dealing with St. Paul’s own ministry. The opening word “for” clearly shows the connection. He has already referred to his preaching and effort on behalf of the Christians in Colosse, and now he will show that he has anxiety as well. It is a wonderful unveiling of a minister’s heart, a revelation of his true attitude to Christian converts. Each point calls for special meditation as expressive of what the real Christian worker ought to be and do.

I. The Prayer

He wishes them to know of his intense effort on their behalf, and he uses, as elsewhere, the figure of the athlete (1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7). The conflict to which he refers shows his earnestness (1:29; 4:12), and at the same time his unselfish sympathy. All this is the more remarkable because the Apostle was not personally known to the Colossian Christians, and when anxiety is felt for those who are unknown, the reality of the feeling, as well as the consciousness of the peril, are the more readily understood.

II. The Purpose

This effort and conflict of prayer had a definite object. — 1. “That their hearts may be comforted.” The heart is, as always, the centre of the moral being, including intellect, feeling, and will, and the word rendered “comforted” has a threefold meaning, embracing strength,

Spiritual Concern, 2:1-5 courage and consolation. The Apostle wishes them to be strong, fearless, and full of good cheer against the errors that face them.

2. Then he desired that they should be “knit together in love.” The word translated “knit together” means “compacted,” or harmoniously fitted (Eph. 4:16), and this is to be in the bond of love, doubtless referring to God’s love to us in Christ.

3. All this was to lead to “all riches of the full assurance of understanding.” There was to be no vagueness or uncertainty in their lives, but the very opposite, a certitude that would enable them to meet every peril with courageous confidence. Assurance is the purpose of God in connection with Christianity (Luke 1:4), and when writing to the Thessalonians the Apostle spoke of his gospel as having come to them “in much assurance” (1 Thess. 1 :5). It is interesting to notice that the word found here occurs in three different connections; the “full assurance of faith” (Heb. 10:22), referring specially to the past; the “full assurance of hope” (Heb. 6:11), referring solely to the future; and this passage, “the full assurance of understanding,” with its definite bear¬ ing on the present. The Apostle was particularly desirous that these people should enter fully into the certitude that comes with true Christianity.

III. The Privilege

Everything was intended to lead up to a knowledge of “the mystery of God, even Christ.” As in a former passage (1:27), “mystery” means a secret once hidden but now revealed, and Christ was the specific “mystery” which they were to know. In Him were hidden “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” and thereby they were shown that there was no need to go outside Christ for all the knowledge, wisdom, and certitude which they rightly needed. The emphasis on the word “are” indicates that these things were realities, and that in possessing Christ they possessed all things.

IV. The Precaution

At this point the Apostle tells the Colossian Christians that he is saying this in order that they may not be led astray. He does not for a moment assume that they had wandered, but only warns them against the possibility. In every connection it can be said without hesitation that the only safeguard against error is a full knowledge of Christ.

V. The Peril

The particular danger that lay before them was that of false reasoning based on persuasive speech. It was on account of this peril that he had spoken so strongly about himself (v. 1), about them (v. 2), and about Christ (v. 3). People are easily influenced by forms of speech, and very often a charm of manner and an eloquent utterance will hide the falsity of the reasoning of the speaker.

VI. The Praise

And yet although the Apostle spoke in this way he was not unmindful of the reality and strength of the Colossian Christians. He was absent in the flesh, but he was present with them in the spirit, looking with joy upon them and feeling satisfied that all was well with them, even though they were surrounded by danger. This is a fine feature of the true Christian worker who sees the good points in those whom he wishes to help, and by recognising their strength he encourages them to greater efforts in the same direction.

Spiritual Concern, 2:1-5
VII. The Power

The specific point of his appreciation is what he calls their “order” and the “strength” of their faith towards Christ. By most writers this phrase is thought to be a military term, meaning “orderly array.”

As we look over these words which are such a wonderful outpouring of the Apostle’s soul, we notice three special points which are particularly applicable to the ministry, though they are, of course, true of all who are “watching for souls.”

1. Ministerial Concern. The Apostle here, as in many other places, is particularly desirous that believers should lead the fullest, strongest, and best life, and for this reason he prays for them, as he so often does elsewhere. There is no doubt that the life of God’s people, when fully lived, is one of the best testimonies to the reality of the Gospel.

2. Ministerial Caution. Notwithstanding the satisfaction that the Apostle felt in viewing the genuineness of these Christians, he could not help giving them a word of warning against specious and deadly foes. His whole soul pulsed with reality, and he shrank from anything like “persuasive speech,” and false arguments which might easily lead astray the unwary and unstable. The day of peril is not over, and there are many today who are easily captured by modern cults of various kinds. They are so persuasive as to endanger the spiritual life of people by their erroneous reasoning. And so the need of caution is as great as ever.

3. Ministerial Conviction. The one and sufficient safe¬ guard against every form of danger was the Person and Word of the Lord Jesus Christ as “God manifest in the flesh,” and as possessing in Himself everything that the soul could need for time and eternity. The Apostle was certain that if only there came to be a personal and ever-increasing experience of Christ there would be a sufficient protection against all foes. It is exactly the same today. Whatever errors may be prevalent, however many and specious may be the perils, the panoply of God is union and communion with Christ, in all the fulness of His Divine Person, redeeming work, risen life, and constant fellowship. Given this, all will be well.