Bible Study August 13, 2025
Colossians 1:23 (CSB)
“Whose battle Is It Anyway”
“I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.”
How much in this life do you struggle with? I read the above verse today and while we passed over it before it hit me again. Paul said, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” (Eph. 6:12).
How do we see these together? In the Colossians reference Paul is talking about the balance of Christian living. Paul put all his efforts into serving God and honoring God. The ESV uses the word “toil” the CSB uses the word “labor.” They both refer to working until we are exhausted.
The Greek word for “struggling” is where we get our word “agonize.” Agonize refers to the effort it takes in an athletic event in which we are required to compete in. He notes that his struggling or work has eternal results and that it is God working through him.
In the Ephesians reference Paul is saying we “wrestle” a term signifying hand to hand combat. Coping with Satan who is deceptive requires truth and righteousness. Satan operates in the spiritual realm by making the physical things look enticing. When we live in the spiritual realm under the guidance of the Holy Spirit then we find the battle is not ours but God has already won not only the battle but the war.
When Paul refers to these two phrases: “against flesh and blood” and “spiritual forces in the heavens” may possibly refer to the most depraved of sins such as extreme sexual perversion, occult worship and practice, and the worship of Satan himself.
When we fight we fight a battle that has been won we are awaiting the crowning moment when Jesus returns and seals the victory. Life will have its battles but let the Victor fight them for you and live in the spiritual realm.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 