Paul reminds me of a doting grandfather or big brother. He seems to be struggling in prayer for the newfound churches. Remember, Paul has not met the members of the church in Colossae. He knows them through the reports of Epaphras who had possibly come to faith through Paul. He was his protégé. Epaphras in turn proclaimed the gospel to the pagans of Colossae. Paul seems to have a love for this church as one of his offspring churches. The Greek word used for “struggling” in verse 1 is one of continual pressing forward, constant straining, much like an Olympic athlete’s training.