The passage
      v9. Paul asks that God might "fill" the Colossians with knowledge. The false teachers in Colosse claim they are able to supply fullness in the Christian life. They can provide the extra - full sanctification. Yet, the Colossians have already heard "the word of truth, the gospel". Paul now asks that God fill them with this truth. What is "the knowledge of his will"? The "perception of God's will consists in wisdom and understanding of every sort, on the spiritual level", so says Moule.
      v10. Paul's prayer for wisdom and knowledge has an intended purpose. It is so the Colossian Christians may live a life that is worthy of their Lord. The phrase "live a life" is actually "walk" in the Greek. The Christian life is often described as a walk. The end result of this life-style is the pleasure of God. God is pleased when his people live in a manner which is honouring to him. Yet, we must always remember, even when our life is less than honouring to him, God still loves us in Christ, yes, is even pleased with us.
      The "worthy" Christian "walk" is now illustrated in four phrases. The first two are in v10: "bearing fruit" - an abundance of good works; "growing in the knowledge of God" - a growing understanding of God (acquiring the mind of Christ).
      v11. In this verse we find the third description of the "walk". "Strengthened with all power" indicates the enabling source of a "walk" which is "worthy". The power Paul is speaking of here is the power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ who enables us to walk in a way which is pleasing to God. This empowering will give us perseverance and patience as we struggle against the trials, temptations and opposition of the powers of darkness.
      v12. The fourth description of the walk is contained in the words "Giving thanks". This involves a joyful thanksgiving to the Father for the redemption we have in Christ.
      Paul explains the ground of this joyful thanksgiving in terms of the gift of an eternal inheritance. The "inheritance" is the promise of a kingdom. The Colossians are already "qualified" to share in this gift. The tense here is important because it undermines the false teachers who fail to understand that eternal perfection is already ours in Christ.
      v13. Paul goes on to explain the eternal inheritance in terms of a deliverance from the tyranny of darkness and a transfer into the kingdom of God's Son. Deliverance from the alien power images the escape of Israel from Egypt. For us it is an escape from sin and death - a deliverance "from the wrath to come", 1Thess.1:10.
      v14. Finally, Paul defines how it is that through God's Son, we have deliverance from bondage and entrance into the kingdom. Jesus has gained for us "redemption" and "forgiveness of sins". For Paul, both mean the same thing. Redemption is liberation from the bondage sin by means of the payment of a price.

The fruit of wisdom
      Sanctification is a state of holiness, which, in the renewing power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ, we seek to realize in our daily life; albeit, always imperfectly. The Word of God, and our reliance upon that Word, is the instrument by which the Spirit shapes a life lived worthily of the Lord.
      In our passage for study Paul illustrates this holy life:
        1. Bearing fruit in every good work, v10. An abundance of goodness. It's true isn't it, the good we so rarely do is but by the grace of God? How can I be the person I want to be, the person God wants me to be? Reliance on the indwelling Spirit is the means of renewal, of a growth in Christ-likeness. The more we look to Jesus in his Word the more we become like him.
        2. Growing in the knowledge of God, v10. Wisdom begets wisdom. A life lived worthily of the Lord is a life lived under the Word of God.
        3. Being strengthened with all power to endure unto the end, v11. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One." How shall I endure through the rough and tumble of life? In the power of the Spirit I will stand.
        4. Giving thanks to the Father for the salvation we have in Christ, v12. We have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and now reside, and will eternally reside, in the kingdom of light. Such an eternal truth fosters a thankful people.