The Apostle Paul continues from the last chapter with further practical exhortations to help believers to live up to that position in which their death and resurrection with Christ had put them. He adds a touching request for their prayers, showing that he needed them as much as they needed his for them, as he assured them in chapter 1.
He finishes the Epistle with various special messages to specific individuals. Many of these notes we might well covet for the record of our own lives and service for the Lord. However, the mention of some of the names here, such as Demas, who later forsook Paul for love of this present world, is a solemn reminder that we must walk in daily communion with the Lord if we are to live for His glory down here till He comes.
1. Prayer is essential to growth in our Christian lives. Here we are encouraged not only to pray but also to look for the answers and to be thankful for them even before we get them (vs. 2). The Lord Jesus told a story about a widow and a judge for what purpose? Luke 18:___
2. Two things ought to be evident every time we open our mouths to speak: grace and salt (vs. 6). Grace is the love and kindness of God, showing that the spirit of our words is from Him. Salt cleanses and preserves, and having our speech “seasoned with salt” means that we must always speak the truth of God, even when we meet with the opposition of an evil world. The Lord Jesus perfectly combined these two things in His speech, and so the people were ready to throw Him over a hill for the truth that He had spoken, though they had just wondered at what kind of words from His mouth? Luke 4:___
3. It is encouraging to hear Paul tell the Colossians to receive Mark (vs. 10), the one who had left Paul earlier on one of his trips. Later, what further commendation is the Apostle able to give about Mark? 2 Timothy 4:___
4. Epaphras had a special desire for the Colossian saints that he earnestly and repeatedly expressed to the Lord in prayer: that they would “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (vs. 12). The Apostle Paul shared this same desire for them and prayed that they “might be filled with the knowledge of His will.” What does he say will be the result when we walk in a way that is worthy of the Lord? Colossians 1:___
5. Archippus needed to be stirred up to fulfill the ministry (or service) the Lord had given him to do (vs. 17). Timothy also needed encouragement from the Apostle Paul to exercise his gift from God. What spirit has God given us, so that we might be faithful in using the gift we have from Him? 2 Timothy 1:___