Colossians 1:9-23 - Prayer For Maturity Based On Christ's Preeminence
9 Since the day we heard about you, we have not ceased to pray and make request for you. We pray for you to be filled with the [intimate accurate] knowledge (discernment) (recognition) of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Philippians 1:9) (John 17:3) 10 Walk worthily of God, fully pleasing him. Bear fruit in every good work, and increase in the knowledge (Greek: epignosis: full discernment, recognition) of God. 11 God will strengthen you with all power, according to the might of his glory, to all patience and longsuffering with joy. 12 Give thanks to the Father, who made us partakers of the inheritance of the holy ones in the light. 13 He rescued us from the power of darkness, and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love (the Son he dearly loves). 14 We have in him our redemption and the forgiveness of our sins.
15 He is the image (likeness) (representation) of the invisible God. He is the firstborn (Greek: prototokos: childbirth, offspring) of all creation. 16 All things in the heavens and upon the earth where created through him. The things visible and invisible were created through him. Whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. 17 He is before all things, and through him all things originate. 18 He is the head of the body, the congregation. He is the beginning (commencement), the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence (first place). 19 It was the good pleasure of the Father that in him all the fullness should dwell. 20 And all things are reconciled through him. He made peace through the blood of his atonement (of the stake). He reconciles all things, whether things upon the earth, or things in heaven.
21 You were in the past alienated and enemies because your minds were on your evil works. 22 But he (Christ) reconciled you in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and without accusation before Him (God). 23 Provided that you continue in the faith, grounded (on the foundation) and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the good news you heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven. For this I, Paul, was made a minister.