Something Greater

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:11-12) God provides an inheritance Paul prayed for the Colossians, thanking God that He had qualified them to share in something valuable, something worth passing on. The Greek word for “inheritance” comes from a word that means to break, especially of bread. When the Greeks broke a loaf of bread to share at the dinner table, they used a word that was directly related to the word for inheritance. Every time they broke bread they were acting out the concept of sharing valuable property given by the owner when he died. This is a picture of the sacrifice of Christ . Jesus used this same word when he spoke of his own death: Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat;

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." (Colossians 1:11-12) From the day that Paul and Timothy heard of the new believers in Colossae, they began to pray regularly for them. Paul wrote this letter to them to encourage them to join with him in prayer, to cooperate in God's work in their lives. In his prayer, Paul describes two of God's purposes for the Colossian believers: Reflecting God's worth Strengthened with all power Let's focus on the idea of strength , especially as described here in Paul's prayer. The Greek word translated here as strengthened came from a word meaning force, especially miraculous power , from a word meaning to be able or possible. Immediately we see that Paul was praying that God would

Paul writes about thrones created in heaven and earth , visible and invisible. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16) The Greek word for thrones is "thronos", meaning a stately (royal) seat, implying power or ruler . But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: (Matthew 5:34) He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. (Luke 1:52) I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. (Revelation 2:13) "Thrones" could refer to heavenly or earthly kingdoms and power . Paul sought to encourage the Colossian

The word "submission" is not well-liked in our American culture. It brings pictures of slavery, weakness, stifled expression, and tyranny. Yet the Bible shows that submission to authority should be the norm for all Christians . How can we reconcile our negative picture of "door-mat" submission to God's perfect harmony in relating to one another? It is important to place the discussion of submission within the larger framework of the unity of all Christians: I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:1-5) God has rescued us from c

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness... (Titus 1:1) Paul calls himself a servant of God . Servantâ€, translates a Greek word meaning slave, whether literally or figuratively, involuntary or voluntary. It carries the sense of subjection and service. This Greek word comes from a root word meaning to tie or bind. It is closely related to a word meaning to beg. Putting all the meanings together, Paul was describing an intimate, all-consuming relationship with God , one which bound him to obedience and faithful service. It was a relationship based upon need: Paul was compelled to serve God as a poor, starving man is compelled to beg. Is this an unique experience? Did Paul expect his readers to emulate this all-consuming slave-relationship with God? Did Paul endorse slavery as an acceptable social practice? Does the Bibl