Col. 1:9-12 - Knowledge of Christ, Power will bring growth

Vs. 9 - For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, -

- Paul prayed that the Colossians would not only know God's will, but would also have wisdom and understanding. In other words, they need to find out what the Lord has planned for them - knowledge. They need to know what to do about that information - wisdom and understanding. The process of growth in the Christian life is to be worthy of the Lord.
- Knowledge, wisdom and understanding are concepts which come up often in the wisdom literature of the Bible (Proverbs, Ecclestaties, etc.). Some basic ideas of these words point to "facts" - knowledge, and how to "use" those facts - wisdom and understanding. Sometimes wisdom and understanding appear to be synonymous, however I think that wisdom has to do with correctly using the facts or knowledge you get. Understanding is knowing when to apply the wisdom you have gained.

Walk worthy

- The next few verses (10-12) tells of Paul's prayers for them.

Vs. 10 - so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

- "Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord" - (see also: Eph. 2:10, 4:1, 1 Thess. 2:12). We must always conduct ourselves so as to be a good mirror of Christ. It is in us, through us the world views Christ. Either the world sees a distorted, warped ugly Christ (because of our gross conduct), or it sees Christ clearly and for what He is. Also, if the world gets the wrong conception of Christ, there is no way that it will turn to Him as the Savior of mankind, because the world will not see the Christ.

- "and To please Him in all respects" - a further definition of the worthy walk, as the next phrase further defines the way we can please Him in all respects. We are to "bear fruit in every good work." I do not think "bearing fruit" means to win souls to Christ alone (although it clearly can mean that) - that in itself is a good work. I believe the fruit is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23) in every thing we do. Also we are to grow in our personal knowledge of God. This is to be more than head knowledge, book learning, or studied knowledge, but to be an intuitive knowledge gained by personal involvement and relationship with Him (John 8:55).

Strengthened with all Power

Vs. 11 - strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously

- This is a continuation of the explanation of the worthy walk. This power is the living force behind the walk (Eph. 1:19,20). Without this power, there is no worthy walk. When we are filled with the knowledge of God's will, at the same time we can appropriate His power.

- "Steadfastness and patience" - the result of being filled with His power. Endurance in the faith and patience in all things and with all others is the key to a quiet spirit.

- Paul wants them to know he has more in mind for them as believers. He was an evangelist, but his motive was more than just 'getting them saved'. He wants them to grow in grace and faith in the Lord. Paul's desire for them is spelled out in these verses, and can be summarized as follows:

1. being filled with the knowledge of God's will
2. an understanding of Him and what he has in store for us
3. the blessing we receive by obedience
4. we can be, and are filled with joy

Paul knew that salvation in Christ meant eternal life, and so much more. He wanted them to experience the abundant life Jesus promised (see John 10:10).

Qualified

Vs. 12 - (Joyously) giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Note: I think "joyously" should be added to the beginning of verse 12. (However, since I didn't come up with the verse structure, joyously remains in verse 11) (See 1 Thess. 5:18).
- Again, more information, more instruction about the worthy walk. We can joyously give thanks to the Father for strengthening us, for providing steadfastness and patience.

- "the Father, who has qualified us..." In GNMM (Good News for Modern Man) it reads "the Father who has made you fit..." (John 3:3, Titus 3:5 - spiritual regeneration). As sinful man we cannot have a personal relationship with Christ, or God. But the Father has seen to it, that by becoming a new creature (2 Cor 5:17), by the death of the old man (Rom. 6:6) we are fit to be in eternity with Him.

- "to share in the inheritance of the saints in light..." The inheritance is life eternal. Each of us get full rights, and we will be there with other sons of God. We will be in light because "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:4). See also Acts 26:18; 1 Thess 5:5; John 8:12.

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