Colossians 4:12-13 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers… I. HIS OBJECT: that the Colossians might "stand perfect," etc. The will of God has reference — 1. To our perfection in the knowledge of revealed truth. The Bible is a revelation of God's will with respect to us, and is able to make us wise unto salvation. Why has God put it before us but that we should study it. Our Lord reproved His disciples because of their want of due attention to His teaching, and the Hebrews are rebuked for their want of proficiency, and are exhorted to go on to perfection. This perfect knowledge is necessary — (1) To religious usefulness. (2) To progressive and entire sanctification. "Sanctify them through Thy truth." 2. To our salvation from sin. This must be complete before we can enter heaven; but provision is made in the blood "which cleanseth from all sin," and in the grace of the Spirit who "sanctifies wholly." 3. To the graces of the Spirit. (1) Faith. This admits of degrees. There is the weak faith of "babes"; the strong faith of "young men"; the ripe faith of "fathers," when it is perfect. (2) Love. This admits of degrees. I may have a sincere love for God, and yet not love Him "with all my heart"; a sincere love of man, and yet not as myself. But the love set forth in Scripture is "perfect love."(3) Hope. All Christians have this, but not all in an equal degree. It is not every believer who can say with John, "Even so; come, Lord Jesus." That is, however, the "full assurance of hope" for which we should all strive. (4) The passive graces, such as patience, which is to "have her perfect work that ye may be perfect," etc. 4. To our actual conduct in the world. Christ's religion is a practical religion (Titus 2:11-12), and is to assume a perfect form (Hebrews 13:20-21). To bring up His people to this standard God has said, "My grace is sufficient for thee." 5. To our stability and perseverance. Epaphras is anxious not only that the Colossians should be perfect in their conformity to the Divine will, but that they should "stand" in that state to the end of life. It is the end which crowns the work. It is not he who runs well for a season, but he who continues to the end, to whom the promise of life is given. II. THE MEANS OF SECURING THIS OBJECT — Prayer. From this we learn — 1. That Christians can only be brought to this high standard by God's grace and blessing. Had they been able of themselves, prayer would have been presumptuous. We do not ask God to do for us what we can do for ourselves. But we never can be made Christians but by God — and God can make perfect Christians; and the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit must not be limited. 2. That prayer is available with God for obtaining needful grace. There are some who restrict the power of prayer to its subjective influence. If this were true, prayer for others would be of no avail. I might pray for one whom I love, and my prayer might exercise my benevolent feelings, but the person for whom I pray will receive no benefit. Away with so God-dishonouring a notion. Some of you, perhaps, have near relatives across the sea. Take encouragement. God's arm of power and mercy can reach them. Bring their cases before Him. (1) Notice the earnestness and importunity of his prayer. True prayer is a labour. We ought in prayer to labour for a just apprehension of the Divine character, of the mediation of Christ, of the import of the promises. (2) Notice the connection of prayer with this object — the fulfilment of God's will. The glory of God is dear to every pious heart. Our Lord, therefore, taught us to pray, "Thy will be done," etc. 3. That the honour of true religion is connected with the perfection of Christian character. The world judges of Christians by their conduct 4. That the welfare of Christians is connected with their perfection of character. Spiritual as well as bodily happiness depends on the state of the health. (T. Jackson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. |
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