Colossians 4:3

withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us. door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which. am also in bonds;

'WITHAL PRAYING FOR US ALSO' -'praying at the same time' (NASV)

Points to Note:

1. Paul believed in prayer! Paul even believed that the prayers offered by "ordinary" Christians (i.e. those who weren't apostles or prophets) were just as effective as his own.

2. Here we find another "mutual" obligation in this section. Paul, Timothy and Epaphras had been praying for the Colossians (Colossians 1:9). Now, Paul requests that they pray for him and his co-workers. At times people request that other members pray for them, like Paul here did. But we must remember,. have an obligation to pray for others too! When was the last time that. offered. prayer on behalf of someone besides myself?

3. Godly people in the past often requested that others pray for them (Daniel 2:18; Esther 4:6; Ephesians 6:18).

'THAT GOD MAY OPEN UNTO US. DOOR FOR THE WORD' -'a door for preaching' (Wey).

Points to Note:

1. Note what Paul didn't request,. speedy release from prison,. quick trial, some ease and personal comfort,. little rest and relaxation. Those things were important, but not as important as "the work", i.e. the spread of the gospel.

2. Paul believed that God could and did open up opportunities for preaching (Revelation 3:8;. Corinthians, Colossians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12). Through His Providence, God can put us into contact with the soul that is looking for the truth.

3. Members at times fret about trying to make contacts, i.e. how do you find people who are interested in truth? We think of all sorts of strategies to try to reach people, which is fine. But before we do all that, did we take the time to persistently and fervently pray for. door? And, more importantly. Are we well-versed enough, serious enough and zealous enough to walk through that door?

'TO SPEAK THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST' -i.e. the gospel message (Colossians 1:26-28).

'FOR WHICH. AM ALSO IN BONDS' -

Points to Note:

1. Paul wasn't about to let difficult circumstances keep him from talking to others about Christ. Even though he was in prison or under house arrest (Acts 28:30); he knew that God could open up opportunities in any situation. Therefore, let no one say, 'But this is. hard work, or. hard area, or people here aren't interested in the truth.'

2. Already such doors had opened up (1 Peter 1:12), not to mention Onesimus who had simply fallen into Paul's lap (Philemon 1:10). But Paul was never content with the number of people thus far saved, far more were still lost!

3.. like what Barclay said, 'When we pray for ourselves and for others, we should not ask release from any task, but rather strength to complete the task which has been given to us.' (p. 167)

4. Hendriksen notes, 'Now the apostle did not intend to say: Pray that by my release from imprisonment. may again be able to proclaim the message..No, he wanted that door right here and now!' (p. 180)

5. Imprisonment for the cause of Christ, for preaching to Jews and Gentiles without making an distinction, had not decreased Paul's love for the gospel message. Suffering hadn't taken the wind out of Paul's sails. This demonstrated to others, that Christianity wasn't. fair weather religion.