THE K I N G ’ S B U S I NE S S in battle or athletic games. Our word “ agonize” is derived from it. Paul’s striving was “ according to the working (rather “ in-working” ; the Greek word is the word from which we derive our word energy), of God.” This energy of God worked in him “ mightily” (more literally “ in power” ). On the last verse someone has this instruc tive comment, “ ‘Christ in him’ was for St. Paul not only ‘the hope of glory,’ but also the mainspring of action; the secret of a ‘power’ which was anything but violence, or disorder, but which brought with it a wonderful victory and an inexhaustible energy of life and love.” FRIDAY, Nov. 22nd. Col. 2:1, 2. Paul has spoken in the last verse of the preceding chapter of his “ striving” according to the working of God. He now speaks of the great “ strife’’ he had for them in Colossae and LaQdicea, and for as many others as had not actu ally seen his face in the flesh (v. 1, R. V .). This striving or wrestling for them was the wrestling prayer (cf. v. 2, Ch. 4:12, R. V .). Paul’s prayers for the churches were no cold, heart less, indifferent, formal petitions: they were mighty wrestlings with obstacles to be overcome (cf. Rom. 15:30). Paul longed to have the believers in Laodicea and Colossae know of these “ great” wrestlings in prayer that he had in their behalf. Neither the Authorized nor the Revised Version gives us the accurate rendering of v. 1. Literally translated it would be “ For I will (or, wish) you to know how great striving (or, conflict, or wrestling) I have in behalf of you and of those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh.” That for which Paul prayed in their behalf in these mighty wrestlings in prayer was, “ that their hearts might be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all the riches of the full assurance of (the) understanding, that they may know (literally, unto full knowledge of) the mystery of God, even Christ, etc.” The word “ comforted” is hardly an ade quate translation of the Greek word. It means exhorted, encouraged, heart ened. As the essential condition of their hearts being thus encouraged they must themselves be “ knit together in love.” ' Where Christians are separated from one another by self-seeking and where they do not draw in together and do not minister to one another in love,
1012 to be ours in the ages to cpme. Com pare with this Paul’s wonderful words in Eph. 3:17-19, where Christ dwell ing in our hearts by faith is insepar ably connected with our being ‘ filled unto all the fullness of God.” Have you Christ in you now? If you have then you have a sure hope of glory. Of this coming glory involved in the present indwelling Christ, we are told more in Ps. 73:24; Acts. 7:55; Rom. 5:2; ,8: 18, 21; 2 Cor. 4:17; Phil. 3:21; Eph. 5:27; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Thess. 2:14; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Pet. 5:1, 4, 10; 1 John 3:1, 2; Jude 24; Rev. 21:11, 23.) THURSDAY, Nov. 21st. Col. 1:28, 29. This Christ who in us is the hope of glory, was the subject of Paul’s preach ing, “Whom we proclaim,” he says (cf. Acts 17:3; 1 Cor. 2 :2). There is an emphasis upon the “ we” : others might preach someone else or something else but as for Paul and his companions they preached Jesus. Their proclama tion of Jesus was faithful and accom panied by admonition and teaching. Their admonition and teaching was not general but specific and individual and omitted no one. How few ministers can say honestly, I have admonished “ every man.” Just notice the “ every man” thrice repeated, “ admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ.” We greatly need today faithful pastors like Paul whose eyes shall be upon “ every man.” Their teaching was “ in all wisdom,” that is in wisdom of every sort. Moule has this suggestive comment, “ The point is that every disciple may and should learn every secret of grace.” The purpose of this admonition and teaching was the bringing to perfec tion of every disciple, “ that we may present every man perfect in Christ.” This presentation will be at the return of our Lord (1 Thess. 5:23, R. V.; Heb. 13:7). From another and more import ant point of view it is Christ who shall present us perfect (cf. Eph. 5:27; Jude 24). This perfection will be “ in Christ,” i. e., in vital union with Him. To this end of presenting every man perfect in Christ Paul “ labored.” The word translated “ labor” is a very strong one, meaning to toil with weari ness. But Paul not only toiled with weariness but also was “ striving.” The word translated “ striving” is another very' strong word, meaning to contend
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