Colossians 4:3c – The Mystery of Of

Old fashioned typesetters at work with the words "mystery" and "Christ" floating in the air.

… so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ …

Summary: Sometimes there are mysteries within mysteries. In this passage, we are presented with a mystery that involves language. Why did the translators add to God’s Word? 

You might have noticed that we sort of skipped over part of this verse in our last meditation. The reason is that I thought it might be good to spend some time focusing on the “mystery of Christ.” 

The Greek word for “mystery” is “mystḗrion,” which is very similar to our English word while at the same time sounds even more mysterious! 

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Colossians 4:3b – Unchained

… that God may open a door for our message… for which I am in chains.

Summary: Paul’s prayer request is both an example for us and something to ponder. 

One of the things I marvel at is that unlike Peter, James, John, and others, Jesus didn’t bother to leave any written instructions for us. 

Instead, the life of Jesus is recorded by four men. Only Matthew and John knew Jesus personally. Mark’s Gospel is based on second-hand information as is Luke’s. What sets Luke’s Gospel apart is that Luke was a highly educated man trained in critical thinking. 

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Colossians 4:3a – Thinking of You

Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker," with a "thought balloon" next to it with a smiley face.

And pray for us, too …

Summary: Understanding prayer is difficult because it is at the same time both incredibly simple and ultimately profound. 

If prayer is a state of keeping our mental focus on God, then everything else we think about comes before God, too. 

It is not as if God is not aware of what we think if we put ourselves first. The difference is that God knows we are not thinking about him as we should. 

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Colossians 4:2b – A Praying Attitude

Paint of the Last Supper by Carl Bloch (Public Domain)

[Devote yourselves to prayer,] being watchful and thankful.

Summary: With two simple words Paul ties the topic of prayer to two of the most powerful scenes in the life of Jesus. 

When we devote ourselves to prayer, as Paul says, to “pray without ceasing,”* he tells us to be “watchful and thankful.” 

The Greek word for “watchful” is “grēgoreúō,” meaning the same as the English word. Paul wants us to keep awake and be vigilant. 

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Colossians 4:2a – Thinking About God

Picture of a man thinking about God.

Devote yourselves to prayer …

Summary: When Paul tells us to do something, it always helps to understand the words he uses. “Prayer” is a common word, but its definition is not so common. 

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul writes, “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought…” (Romans 8:26, KJV)

Think about that for a moment. Is he right? Do we know how to pray or not? Let’s look at what the Bible teaches about prayer. 

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Colossians 4:1 – Dangerous Ground

Picture of a man sinking into a fiery lake surrounded by demons.

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Summary: Paul, after pointing out our responsibilities, points to an interesting fact about the people we report to. We all have a “Master in heaven.” 

Until now, Paul has been talking to the people who serve others. In this passage, he “flips the script” and goes after the bosses in charge of the workers. 

Bosses are people, too, but sometimes they forget that. 

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Colossians 3:25 – A Warning

Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Summary: Wrestling with Paul’s letters is not an easy task. Paul’s thinking can be complicated, and the context of his thoughts obscure. Today’s passage gives us plenty to ponder. 

In the beginning of Paul’s letter, he “sets the table” with this statement: 

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” (Colossians 1:21-23)

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Colossians 3:24a – Self-Interest

… since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. 

Summary: In this passage, Paul introduces the concept of our “inheritance in the Lord.” How we understand our spiritual life has a lot of influence on how we understand this passage. 

Ah! Now we get down to brass tacks! If we do all this stuff for Jesus, what do we get out of it? 

This is where theology gets hard. 

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