Praying for Spiritual Growth – Colossians 1:9-14 Bible Study
Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14 (ESV)
"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Laying the Foundation: A Prayer That Changes Everything
Paul continues his letter to the Colossians with a powerful prayer. But this isn’t just any prayer. It’s a prayer for their spiritual growth.
Notice what Paul doesn’t pray for:
He doesn’t ask for their circumstances to change.
He doesn’t pray for material blessings.
He doesn’t even pray for their safety.
Instead, he prays for something far greater. He prays that they would grow in their knowledge of God, their endurance, and their understanding of what it means to be in Christ.
This prayer reveals what truly matters in the Christian life. If we want to grow, this passage shows us exactly how.
1. A Prayer for Knowledge & Wisdom (v.9)
"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding."
"Filled" (πληρωθῆτε, plērōthēte) – This word means to be completely full, lacking nothing. Paul doesn’t want them to have just a little bit of knowledge. He wants them to be overflowing with understanding of God’s will.
"Knowledge" (ἐπίγνωσις, epignōsis) – This isn’t just head knowledge. It means deep, intimate, experiential knowledge. Paul is asking God to give them a full, personal understanding of His will, not just facts.
"Spiritual wisdom and understanding" – These two words go together:
Wisdom (σοφία, sophia) – The ability to apply knowledge in a godly way.
Understanding (σύνεσις, sunesis) – The ability to discern truth from error.
Verse Explanation:
Paul is praying that they won’t just know about God but that they would have wisdom to apply His truth and discernment to recognize what is true and what is false.
Reflection:
Do you seek to know God deeply, or are you satisfied with surface-level faith?
Are you growing in wisdom, or do you rely on your own understanding?
2. A Life That Pleases God (v.10-11)
"So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy."
"Walk" (περιπατῆσαι, peripatēsai) – In Scripture, walking often symbolizes our daily conduct. Paul is saying that true knowledge of God should change the way we live.
"Worthy of the Lord" – This doesn’t mean we can earn salvation, but that our lives should reflect the character of Jesus.
"Bearing fruit" (καρποφοροῦντες, karpophorountes) – Just like a healthy tree produces fruit, a healthy Christian life should produce visible results.
"Strengthened" (δυναμούμενοι, dynamoumenoi) – This is the same root word for “power” (dynamis), where we get the English word dynamite! Paul is saying that our ability to endure comes from God’s explosive, supernatural power.
Verse Explanation:
Paul connects knowing God to living for God.
If you know Him, your life should reflect Him.
If you love Him, your actions should show it.
If you’re rooted in Him, you should bear fruit.
He also reminds them that spiritual strength comes from God alone. We cannot endure trials or remain patient in hardships on our own strength—it comes from His power.
Heart Check:
Are you walking in a way that honors God?
Are you bearing real fruit, or is your faith just words?
When trials come, do you rely on your strength or God’s power?
3. The Greatest Reason for Gratitude (v.12-14)
"Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
"Qualified" (ἱκανόω, hikanōō) – This means to make fit, to make sufficient. We were unqualified for God’s kingdom, but He qualified us through Jesus.
"Delivered" (ῥύομαι, rhyomai) – This means to rescue, to snatch away from danger. God didn’t just improve our situation. He rescued us from spiritual death.
"Transferred" (μεθίστημι, methistēmi) – In ancient times, when one kingdom conquered another, they would relocate people to a new land. Paul is saying that when we were saved, God took us out of Satan’s kingdom and placed us into the kingdom of Christ.
"Redemption" (ἀπολύτρωσις, apolytrōsis) – This means "to buy back, to release from bondage." In biblical times, this word was used for slaves who were set free by paying a ransom. Jesus paid our ransom with His blood.
"Forgiveness" (ἄφεσις, aphesis) – This word means "to cancel a debt, to send away." Our sins were not just forgiven. They were completely removed from us.
Verse Explanation:
Paul reminds us of the gospel reality:
God qualified us when we could never qualify ourselves.
God rescued us from the grip of darkness.
God relocated us into His kingdom.
God redeemed us—He paid the price for our freedom.
God forgave us completely, fully, and forever.
Reflection:
Are you still living like you’re in the domain of darkness, or are you walking in the light?
Do you realize the depth of your redemption in Christ?
Final Thoughts: Growing in Christ
Paul’s prayer is a roadmap for spiritual growth.
Seek to know God deeply, not just in theory but in experience.
Live a life that honors God, bearing fruit and relying on His power.
Never forget what Christ has done for you: He rescued, transferred, redeemed, and forgave you.
Are you growing in these areas?
Stick with me as we continue to grow our faith through the book of Colossians!
