Encountering God's will
- Miguel Gonzalez
- Dec 18, 2024
- 7 min read
The letters to the Ephesians and Colossians are often considered twin letters. Written around the same time and attributed to Paul, they address many of the same themes. It is no surprise that Paul’s introductory prayers in each letter (Eph 1:17-19, Col 1:9-12) would correlate with each other. Both prayers are motivated by thanksgiving (Eph 1:15; Col 1:3, 9) and share a three-part structure, though not in the same order:
Increased revelation by the Spirit
• "may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Ephesians 1:17)
• "that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1:9)
Increased wisdom and understanding (enlightenment)
• Knowledge of Him – Father of Glory
"may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him having the eyes of your hearts enlightened" (Ephesians 1:17-18a)
• Knowledge of His will
"may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1:9)
Actions
• To know
"that you may KNOW what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18-19)
• To walk
"that you may WALK worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him" (Colossians 1:10)
The goal of the prayer in Ephesians 1 is “growth in faith, producing greater confidence in God as the ultimate outcome of knowing Him.” In contrast, the goal of Colossians 1 is to gain knowledge of God’s desires in order to live in alignment with them. While Ephesians emphasizes the knowledge of God that establishes our faith on the Cornerstone, Colossians focuses on the practical application of that faith, enabling us to live in a way that is fully pleasing to God.
Prayer:
"For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." (Colossians 1:9–12)
Knowledge of His Will
"For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." (Colossians 1:9)
In Colossians, he has one petition: “be filled with the knowledge of His will.” This petition is fulfilled in all spiritual wisdom and understanding as in Ephesians 1 (Spirit of wisdom and revelation). Here, rather than viewing spiritual wisdom and understanding as mere extensions of knowledge, Paul presents them as gifts from the Holy Spirit. In other words, when immersed in the Spirit-given wisdom and understanding, believers are equipped to fully grasp the knowledge of God’s will.
To many, adopting a Sermon on the Mount lifestyle—living as Jesus did—seems extreme or foolish. But for those poor in spirit, with God-given hunger, it is wisdom. Spiritual wisdom and understanding can only flow from a deep, abiding relationship with God. Through the Holy Spirit, these gifts are granted to the body of Christ, enabling them to discern God’s will, which is intimately tied to His character and from which His desires for humanity flow.
As the New International Commentary on the New Testament explains, “Paul’s letters see the will of God as the divine narrative of redemption from creation to the kingdom—indeed, to know the will of God is to know God.” To know God is to encounter Him personally: His emotions, character, preferences, and the nature that reveals His desires.
"You are my friends if you do what I command you… I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:14–15)
More than highlighting the similarities and differences, these prayers are connected through the phrases “the knowledge of His will” and “the hope of His Calling.” They should be understood as complementary to one another.
In both Greek thought and Hebrew understanding, the word “will” in this passage conveys the idea of purpose. God’s will, as revealed in Scripture, includes what has already been disclosed, but there is also a dynamic aspect—a deeper understanding that God unveils as we grow closer to Him. Scot McKnight explains: “Paul and Timothy want the Colossians to comprehend the will of God, a term Paul uses in the Prison Letters for calling (Col 1:1; Eph 1:1).” This calling encompasses the vision of a people united in Christ, functioning as a kingdom of priests—Jews and Gentiles brought together in one body.
In Ephesians 1, Paul asks for the knowledge of God so that the church would know the hope from which they’ve been called. In Colossians 1, Paul elaborates on how this calling, purpose, and God’s will are lived day-to-day.
"I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1–3)
Walking Worthy of the Lord
"that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him" (Colossians 1:10a)
Paul teaches that there is a way to please God fully—by living in obedience to His will, which he describes as being “worthy of Him.” When our lives are fully aligned with the knowledge of God’s will, we are empowered to walk in a manner that reflects our worthiness of the Lord. This means living each day as a testimony that honors and exalts the Name above every other name.
What’s remarkable about this prayer is its self-explanatory nature. It reveals that such a life is only possible through the Holy Spirit, who works within us to unveil the secrets of the Father and bring His Word to our remembrance. This process deepens our understanding of who God is and reveals His wisdom through His will. With this foundation, we are strengthened to live in a way that is worthy of Him, fully pleasing and honoring God.
Living in God’s will and purpose is characterized by bearing fruit in every good work, continually growing in the knowledge of God, and being strengthened to persevere with patience. It also involves cultivating joy through a heart of gratitude, acknowledging God’s undeserved mercy and His grace that calls us into alignment with our ultimate purpose.
Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work
"Bearing fruit in every good work" (Colossians 1:10b)
The only way to bear lasting fruit is by abiding in Christ, keeping his commandments, and being connected to the source of life, which provides everything we need for our tiny fruits to mature and grow into enduring, meaningful results.
"Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:4–5)
"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:16–17)
Increasing in the Knowledge of God
"and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10c)
Increasing in the knowledge is committing to “eat the scroll”—to immerse ourselves fully in God’s Word. Through songs, meditation, prayer, and teachings, we grow in understanding the words of the One who has called us into His marvelous light.
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Col 3:16)
"Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, Lord God of armies." (Jeremiah 15:16)
Being Strengthened to Persevere and be Patient
"Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience" (Colossians 1:11)
Remaining steadfast, faithfully holding to our post and assignment, is a gift from the Lord. Perseverance and patience are cultivated through prayer and given by the Spirit for the glory of His Name.
"And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3–5)
Giving Thanks Joyously
"Joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light" (Colossians 1:11c-12)
Those whom God calls should remain humble and grateful for God’s mercy and grace, remembering that He can use even a donkey to accomplish His purposes (Numbers 22:21-39). By grace, we have been brought into the inheritance of Christ to be one with the body, Jew and Gentile. The heart posture of joyous gratitude towards the Lord and the community of believers anchors us to be able to walk worthy of the Lord with His church faithfully.
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:17)
PRAY:
Pray that believers would come to know God’s will, enabling them to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. May their lives be a testimony, bearing evidence of good fruits, a deep knowledge of His Word, steadfast perseverance, patient endurance, and a heart full of gratitude.
References:
Scot McKnight, The Letter to the Colossians, ed. Ned B. Stonehouse et al., The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018)