Chapter Four
Colossians 1:9-14 Spiritual Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding
1:9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Paul had noted that the members of the church at Colossae have all heard the gospel and that they were growing in the Word of God and now he continues, “For this reason…” (the beginning of verse 9 found in Bibles such a the NKJV, NASB95, NIV, etc.), he prays for them. Then he goes on and tells them what he has been praying for. In the prayer that follows is both a practical prayer outline that each of us can use in our prayer life, but it also can serve as a framework for Christian living.
It is important to note that Paul begins by establishing the reason for his prayers, namely that they heard the gospel and have been growing in Him. All Christians, especially if involved in the expansion of God’s kingdom, are targets of our enemy. So how can we help each other out? We pray for each other! The Bible contains many stories (including one later in this epistle) about people of God praying for other people of God, just as we are called to do, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” (Ephesians 6:18, ESV, see also 1 Timothy 2:1), Paul then proceeds to answer what many Christians ask, how should we pray?
He begins with the need to be, “filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (Colossians 1:9b, ESV) Paul means that we are to be completely filled, the Greek word implies that there is no room for anything else (such as worldly thinking or the denial of God’s absolutes, see Proverbs 19:2). The word Paul uses that is translated here as ‘knowledge’ is the Greek word ‘epignosis’, that refers to the “correct knowledge” and that we are thoroughly acquainted with that knowledge. The word ‘wisdom’ here conveys the same meaning in both the Greek and English, referring to the proper application of knowledge. We are to know God, know His Word and know how to apply this knowledge in our lives. Paul notes by using the Greek word ‘synesis’ (translated here as ‘understanding’) that we are also to fully comprehend. Paul makes it clear that we are responsible to diligently study the Word of God. Bible study needs to be a priority in our Christian life. You might be tempted to ask the question, why? Paul follows with an answer.
1:10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
“So that you may live in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects” (Colossians 1:10a, LEB) How do we live a life worthy of God? How can we please Him? Paul indirectly is calling our attention to answer honestly, a simple (but awkward) question, if you do not fully know the Word of God, how can you know what pleases Him? Can you learn from a teacher or pastor, a Bible commentary or some other book? To some degree, yes, however we need to understand that God is only concerned about us knowing His book. In the book of Ephesians Paul, in writing about the purpose of the church, said this, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16, ESV) Do you see how important maturing in the Word of God is? Knowledge in Him is vital, problems can occur when we either forget or ignore the Word of God (for some examples, read Isaiah 5:13; Hosea 4:6).
Next we are to bear fruit (see verse 6) in every good work we do. The fruit in our lives are those external things we do, the visual evidences of God in our hearts and lives. This reminds me of the song lyrics, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” While bearing fruit we are also to increase in the knowledge of God, this process never changes! Getting to know God through His Word allows us to know and grow in Him. Can we grow and please Him using only our own ability? No, and He doesn’t want us to try to do it alone. As we know more about Him, we learn we need His strength and might, especially when attacked by our enemy, even Christians can “crash and burn!” Paul knew this as he now points out the source of a Christian’s power.
1:11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
Paul uses several words that are often synonyms for each other, he says we are to be strengthened (Greek word ‘dynamoō’, meaning to make strong) with all power (Greek word ‘dynamis’, meaning ‘might’ or in our case, supernatural might). Strength and might available to us according to His glorious might (Greek ‘kratos’, referring to strength and force), so how much strength does God have? With God there is no limit, so if we hear what Paul is saying, the strength available to us is without limit. This is important since the next two words Paul uses to describe what we can use that strength for is endurance and patience! These two words in the Greek are often used interchangeably, however the meaning essentially is the same, that we are to endure what we experience in life and hold steadfast through Him. Why would Paul emphasize endurance and patience so much? To grow in Christ takes time, we need to constantly apply ourselves here on earth as we have an eternity to rest when we are face to face with Jesus! And that is where the key to all this comes in, Paul says we will endure in Him with joy as we are motivated by the greatest of all motivators, His love.
1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
We are to always give thanks to God the Father as He is the One that has ‘qualified’ (Greek word ‘hikanoō’, meaning “to make sufficient”) us to share in the inheritance of our salvation and much more. Through our adoption as children of God we will receive an incredible inheritance (read Romans 8:12-25). God has rescued us from the domain (or dominion) of darkness (see Ephesians 6:12; Luke 22:53) and brought us into the kingdom of His Son. Our “eternal address” was changed from hell to heaven. Paul then clarifies that it is through the work Jesus did for us that allows us to have redemption (Greek word ‘apolytrōsis’ meaning “liberation procured by payment of ransom”) and further defines this action as the, “forgiveness of sins.”
Along with an incredible outline for a model prayer we can pray for our fellow Christians, Paul just gave us a framework to use that will help us to grow as a Christian. Did you see it? Let’s review…
On the foundation of the gospel we are to stand, accepting Jesus as our Savior, this is where we all start. Paul then said we are to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (knowledge of the entire Bible, this is in addition to the gospel). So that we can live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him, walking as He has instructed (see also Ephesians 2:10). In order that we can bear fruit in everything we do and continue to increase our knowledge of Him. This is all possible, not by our might or power but through the power available to us, God’s power (see Zechariah 4:6). We are to offer thanks to Him, after all He did it all!
Do you see the framework now? 1) Stand on the foundation of the gospel; 2) Be filled with knowledge of God; 3) Go, do as He calls us to do; 4) Bear fruit; 5) Keep studying His Word; 6) Receive His power and 7) Give thanks!