After dealing with the idea
of unity among the Colossian church members, Paul the apostle
directed them toward prayer. They were to “continue in prayer”
and do so with “thanksgiving” as they had their
conversations with the Lord. In chapter four and verse three of his
letter, Paul makes a special request of the church members concerning
himself and those with him where we read:
Withal praying also for
us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance,
to speak the mystery of
Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
The
verse begins, “Withal praying also for us, that God would
open unto us a door of utterance,” Paul
began with the word “Withal”
which means “at the same time, at once or together”, and added
“pray also for us”
which refers to not only Paul but also the team of people who are
with him. He doesn't identify who these people are at this point of
his letter, but we recall from chapter one that Timothy was with him.
His specific request was “that God would open unto us a
door of utterance” which means
“an opportunity to share a word uttered by a living voice
which embodies a conception or idea”.
The
verse goes on to say, “to speak the mystery of Christ,”
Paul wanted “to
speak” or “utter, talk or
tell” about “the mystery of Christ”
which means “the hidden purpose, counsel or secret thing,
not obvious to the understanding of Christ Jesus, the Messiah and the
Son of God”. Because there were so many people without
understanding who might hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul desired
to share with them the “hidden purpose” which God had in mind
with Jesus' first coming.
Finally the verse says, “for
which I am also in bonds:” As
a special emphasis to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul added
“for which I am also”
which means “because of sharing the mystery of Christ Paul was in
the following condition” “in bonds” or
“bindings, ties, fastenings, or chains”. As a matter of
containment it is said that Paul had two Roman guards attached to him
at all times while he was in prison, and Paul noted the reason he was
bound was because he shared “the mystery of Christ”.
Even in
prison Paul desired to have a way to share with people about his
Savior Jesus. As we vicariously put ourselves in the place of Paul,
what would our prayer request be if we were in a Roman prison and
chained to two Roman guards? Would it be for our release from prison,
or to have the opportunity to share “the mystery of Christ”
even more? Paul the apostle is a tenacious example for us as he
exemplifies the person who is willing and courageous enough to share
the gospel of Jesus Christ no matter what the conditions are. As we
live in this world, may the Holy Spirit put within us the same desire
to share Jesus Christ with whomever the Lord allows us the “door
of utterance”.
Next
time Paul asks the Colossians for a more specific prayer for himself,
so read ahead, and
we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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