Reading for July 5th

Read Colossians 1.3-14 Prayers and God's redemption.
Two prayers (vv. 3-8, 9-12) reveal the basis of the community's growth in faith: God rescued the believers from the power of darkness and moved them into the kingdom of his beloved son (v. 13).
In verses 3-8 themes of growth and learning (1.28; 2.6; 3.10; 4.12) emphasize the fruitfulness of the gospel (v. 5) increasing the knowledge of God's will (vv. 9-10) and in building the body
of Christ (2.19).
Epaphras (v. 7) taught hope linked to Christ, unlike the "heresy" which downplays
Christ (see 2.18-19).
In verse 5 hope, no longer the firm expectation of God's promise but an object already available,
laid up or stored up, though it awaits revelation.
In verse 6 bearing fruit and growing describes the gospel of God's grace.
In verse 7 Epaphras, 4.12; Philem 23.
In verses 9-12 a shift from past reception of the gospel to a fuller comprehension of God's will.
In verse 9 knowledge...spiritual wisdom and understanding.
All three have practical implications.
Wisdom (a favorite term; see 2.3, 23; 4.5) and understanding or insight are linked in the
Hebrew Scriptures or their Greek translation (see Deut 1.13, 15; 1 Kings 16.18; Isa 3.3).
In verse 10 lead, or conduct; see 2.6; 3.7-17; 4.5.
In verse 12 inheritance, share or allotment.
In verses 13-14 this basic statement of belief recites what God has done.
Comments or Questions...