Praises to God
From the beginning of this letter, Paul offers praise to God. Not just God, the Father(1:3-6), but also God, the Son(1:7-12), and God, the Holy Spirit(1:13-14).
God the father is praised to “the glory of his grace”(v.6) which has been present since creation. God knows what he is doing and more than that, he enjoys it. When he called men to be reconciled to Him through Jesus, it wasn’t from a sense of duty or from exasperation pushing Him into saving mankind. No, it is God’s “pleasure and will” to save us through His son. Throughout this passage, it is clear that God knows what He is doing, and He enjoys doing it. What he is doing/has done/will do is to reconcile mankind to himself through his grace.
God the Son is praised because we are redeemed through his blood. Through his blood we are able to know God and his grace. Through his blood, we are also forgiven of our sins. We are not just forgiven, but forgiven according to His grace. In other words, This grace is ‘lavished’ on us ‘with all wisdom and understanding’.
God the Spirit is praised as a seal. In the more modern experience, a seal marks ownership and authenticity. A letter sealed in wax indentifies the author by the impression of his/her ring on the seal. It has been argued that the Holy Spirit, in effect, shows the christian as belonging to the father because of the signet seal on our lives.
However, the seal in this case is linked to inheritence. The Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. Basically, the Spirit promises that the rest of our inheritance is coming to us. First, God chose, then at salvation, He made men and women His children. Finally, in the resurrection, the earthly body will be reedemed. The inheritance is the full redemption of mankind, body and soul. This redemptive work began at the creation and will end with the final resurrection.
Praise of the Ephesians
Paul spent almost three years in Ephesus – it seems strange that he would have heard about their faith. It’s possible he’s referring to those who came to Christ since he left. It’s more likely that this refers to other recipients of this circular letter. This is similar to praying for a friend of a friend – you may not know who you are praying for, but based on the word of someone you actually know, you offer prayers to God. Epaphras visited Paul in prison and told him of everything happening in Asia. Since Paul wrote Colossians at the same time and included that letter with this one, it is likely he heard about the Colossians faith through Epaphras.
More importantly, Paul prays that they(readers of this circular letter) may grow to know God better through wisdom and revelation. Wisdom usually comes over time, revelation came at the urging of God through individual Christians in the church. Paul makes it a point to pray from both, not just the euphoria of new insight, but also from the patience and perseverance that comes through wisdom.
Feel the Power
Paul prays that they may be enlightened in the hope of their inheritance and in the great power for believers. Inheritance was touched on earlier, but Paul goes to great lengths to talk of this great power. This power raised Jesus’ body from the dead – it gives life. This power raised Jesus to the right hand of God – it has authority. How much authority? It raised Jesus above all titles of the present, and future. Remember that the Ephesians burned thousands of magical scrolls – they believed in all kinds of celestial beings, not just angels and demons. Paul is making the point that Jesus is above all of them, no matter what they imagine the other celestial beings to be.
More in Chapter Two