​5/1/25 - “Paul’s Care And Prayer For Those He Had Not Met”

The Colossian brethren hold a unique place in Bible history, as well as Paul’s personal history. As far as I can tell, the Christians at Colossae and the Christians at Rome were the only ones to whom Paul wrote, whom he had not first met or had some involvement in their conversion (Col. 1:4, 7, 2:1; Rom. 1:13-15). He evidently had heard from Epaphras about the Colossians (Col. 1:7) and perhaps from Onesimus too (Col. 4:9).

When we read the first chapter of Colossians, we should be deeply moved by the selfless love and concern Paul had for people whom he had not met. He stated they were in his prayers (v. 3), and then went on to describe the specific way he was praying for them (v. 9-12). His prayers were not for his gain, but for their spiritual growth in the Lord. More will be said about his concern for them in chapter two, but for the moment, let's focus on what Paul said in chapter one.

Some might ask, “How could those people be Christians if Paul wasn’t there to teach them the truth?” We know the answer to this question! It was men like Epaphras who took up the work in teaching the Colossians the truth. Just as there were people who had gone ahead to Rome and taught the sinners (Acts 28:14; Rom. 1), there were people who had taught the Colossians. The word of God has the power to save (Rom. 1:16). It is not men or men’s personalities we need to rely on to win people to Christ. We need to trust in God’s word to save. It saved folks in Colossae, and it saves people today!

Paul’s care for these people is genuine, and when reading Colossians, we should focus on this. I say this because Paul left us an example to follow (I Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17). Let us not ignore it.

In a world of hatred, abuse, jealousy, and the like, is it not refreshing to read about the love Paul had for people like the Colossians? He was ready to “rejoice with them that do rejoice …” (Rom. 12:15). They (and all Christians) have much reason to rejoice when we think about the blessings that belong to us in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

There is a unique joy that comes from interceding for others, and this joy is a blessing in itself. What care and what prayer have you offered on behalf of fellow saints? Toward those you know and those you don’t know? If you have not been busy praying for others (I Thess. 5:17), then make this a daily habit, and rejoice in the blessings you see in others as a result of your prayers.

 

– Jarrod M. Jacobs