Paul gave thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus for the faith of the Christians in Colossae and for the love they had for their brothers and sisters in Christ. How did the Colossian Christians come to have such faith and such love for the Lord’s people? Their faith and hope sprang from the hope that had been built up for them in heaven. This is the same hope that they had heard about in the gospel when Epaphras spoke the word of God to them. The gospel of hope flourished in not just the hearts of the Colossian Christians, but was preached throughout the world, thanks to God’s servants like Epaphras and Paul. Because of Bible teachers like them, preaching the gospel all around the world, the hope of God’s kingdom rings in hearts all over the world.

In addition to Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving, he also prayed that God may fill them with the knowledge of God through the Holy Spirit, who gives wisdom and understanding of heavenly things. In this way, they would come to know God’s will for them. By this, they could live lives worthy of the Lord, by bearing fruit in good works, growing in the knowledge of God, and being strengthened in his power.
Application: Father, thank you so much for Bible teachers like Epaphras who spread your gospel all over the world. Through this, we have hope in you.
One Word: The gospel gives hope