Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 1:9

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding," — Colossians 1:9 (ASV)

The words “for this reason,” referring back to vv.3–8, show that this petitionary prayer is Paul’s response to the news that had come to him of the Colossians’ experience in Christ. He was grateful for what had already happened to them and prays now for the further enrichment of their lives.

His prayer contains two requests. The first, and the one on which the rest of the prayer is based, is that God might fill the readers “with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” The word “knowledge” (GK 2106) is used in the NT only of moral and religious knowledge. It denotes thorough knowledge, i.e., a deep and accurate comprehension. Such knowledge of God’s will is the foundation of all Christian character and conduct. Already here Paul may be touching on the fact that some in Colosse were failing to attain true knowledge by engaging in wild speculations of a philosophical wisdom.

The “will” of God in its broadest and most inclusive sense is the whole purpose of God as revealed in Christ. In this passage the term perhaps has special reference to God’s intention for the conduct of the Christian life.

To be “filled” (GK 4444) with the knowledge of the divine will suggests that such knowledge is to pervade all of one’s being—thoughts, affections, purposes, and plans. There is an unusual emphasis on “fullness” in this letter. The recurrence of this idea suggests that the Colossian errorists claimed to offer a “fullness” of blessing and truth not found in the preaching of Epaphras. Paul answers by stressing the true fullness available only in Christ (cf. especially 2:9). We acquire knowledge of the will of God by “wisdom” and “understanding.” These two words should be looked on as expressing a single thought, something like practical wisdom or clear discernment. The use of the two words gives completeness to the statement and thus deepens its impression on the reader.