Colossian 1:9-12 (NIVUK)
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
My examiners complained about some of my sentences being too long in my thesis, and asked that I changed this in my amended version. Reading Paul’s writings, I feel I am in good company, his sentences also had the habit of getting out of control – this passage is almost entirely one sentence! At heart, it’s quite simple though, another cascade. Paul’s prayer is that having got to know Jesus and his will, the Colossians will be helped by the Spirit to live out that will. This may be difficult and takes a lifetime, hence the reference to patience, but includes celebration because knowing Jesus means God has included them in his Kingdom. Of course, this doesn’t just relate to the Colossians, it applies to us as well.
Spirit, work in us your fruitfulness, obedience, patience and thankfulness.
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