The Pulpit Commentary on Colossians 4:2

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Continue steadfast in prayer, being watchful (or, wakeful) therein, with thanksgiving. "Steadfast continuance" in prayer is specially illustrated in our Lord's sayings on the subject in St. Luke (comp.

Acts 1:14, where the same peculiar verb is used). In Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Timothy 2:1-15 :l, again "thanksgiving" is associated with "prayer." Wakefulness in prayer is enjoined by Christ in Matthew 26:41 and Mark 14:38 : compare the synonymous ἀγρυπνέω, to be sleepless, used in Ephesians 6:1,Ephesians 6:2; Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36; Hebrews 13:17.

"To be awake" is to be alive in the fullest sense, to have all the powers of perception and action in readiness. The activity of the soul in prayer is to be both energetic and incessant. "With [literally in, ἐν, not μετὰ, as in Ephesians 6:18] thanksgiving gives the pervading element or influence, in or under which the prayers of the Colossians were to be offered (comp.

Colossians 1:12; Colossians 2:7; Colossians 3:15, Colossians 3:17).

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