We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, …
Summary: Loneliness is a horrible affliction. Paul reminds us to be thankful that we are not alone in the world as Christians.
This passage reminds me of a scene from the movie “Fiddler on the Roof.” In the scene, Tevya prays for the Czar, the ruler of Russia in those days, this way:
“May God bless and keep the Czar… far away from us!”
The line is delivered perfectly with a dramatic pause before “far away from us!” Tevya and his friends were obeying God and praying for the government, but also praying for their protection from the government.
Paul’s prayer is different.
He prays for a church he has never been to, the church at Colossae. He doesn’t tell us what he includes in his prayer except that he always thanks God for the people there.
I think Paul is pointing us to something important here.
What if we who believed in Jesus were all alone in the world? How would that feel? Do we take our fellow believers for granted?
In the days before Pentecost, the world was either hostile to people who believed in Jesus or simply indifferent. The few who believed were like a tiny island in a giant ocean.
After Pentecost, the truth of the Gospel began to spread. Scripture says, “… about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41) The Bible also says that these people were “God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.” (Acts 2:5) When they returned home, the news of Jesus Christ traveled with them.
The message they took with them was simple. As Peter pointed out to them in his speech, “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:36) As Jews, they understood both concepts well. The Lord was the God of all things, and the Messiah was to be the heir to King David (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
When Paul began his ministry, he was once again alone. Because his ministry was to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8) he was hated by many Jews. As Gentile churches formed, Paul’s world became less lonely.
Paul knows what it is to stand alone for the Gospel and to be among friends. He prefers being among friends. Even though he has never met the members of the church in Colossae, he knows they are there, and he takes comfort in that fact. When he prays for them he also thanks God for them.
Application: Be mindful of the blessings of fellow Christians.
Food for Thought: Why does Paul thank God instead of Jesus?
Paul expresses gratitude to God as the Almighty Creator of all things, and for the grace he gives us. It is by God’s grace that we have been redeemed through Christ’s sacrifice.
Romans 11: 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Jesus gave glory to God.
John 17:6-8 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
Thank you Chris,
Yes, Jesus points the Way! 🙂
Why does Paul thank God instead of Jesus?
All the written words in our bible have been given and preserved by God. All life, righteousness, purity, anything and everything having eternal value has come from God, and point to God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
James 1:17 states, every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.
Matthew 5:16 to let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Genesis 1:26-28, John 10:28-29, Acts 17:24, Colossians 3:17
Thank you, Ron!
Everything points to God. That is important for us to remember.
Well said!
Interesting thoughts and comments by all. Thank you.
It could be that since the context was prayer, that Paul was influenced by the Hebrew culture surrounding how they prayed at that time, or even more likley, that he was influenced by Jesus’ teachings. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father…”
Since this was in the context of prayer, it makes sense that they would thank the Father of the Lord Jesus as they prayed for the Colossians. It makes sense that they were directing their prayers to the Father in Jesus’ name.
Thanks Rich!
I really like that you point us to the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus’ focus was on his Father in heaven and he clearly wants us to be focused on the Father as well.
Why does Paul thank God instead of Jesus?
My thoughts were similar to pastor Rich. Thanking the father always.
Now when Paul was talking to Jesus was he really talking or actually praying?
Thank you, Tim!
What a lovely question! On the road to Damascus he did ask a question (“Who are you Lord?”). To ask is a form of prayer. So yes, I expect that all of his encounters with Jesus followed the same pattern.