John Calvin 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)

For this cause we also. As he has previously shown his affection for them in his thanksgivings, so he now shows it still further in the earnestness of his prayers on their behalf. And indeed, the more the grace of God is conspicuous in anyone, we ought in that proportion especially to love and esteem them, and to be concerned for their welfare.

But what does he pray for on their behalf? He prays that they may know God more fully. By this, he indirectly intimates that something is still lacking in them, so that he may prepare the way for imparting instruction to them and secure their attention to a fuller statement of doctrine.

For those who think that they have already attained everything that is worthy of being known, despise and disdain everything further that is presented to them. Hence he removes from the Colossians an impression of this nature, lest it become a hindrance in the way of their cheerfully making progress and allowing what had been begun in them to receive an additional polish.

But what knowledge does he desire on their behalf? The knowledge of the divine will, by which expression he sets aside all inventions of men and all speculations that are at variance with the word of God. For his will is not to be sought anywhere else than in his word.

He adds, in all wisdom; by which he intimates that the will of God, which he had mentioned, was the only rule of right knowledge. For if anyone desires simply to know those things which it has pleased God to reveal, that is the man who accurately knows what it is to be truly wise. If we desire anything beyond that, this will be nothing else than to be foolish, by not keeping within due bounds.

By the word συνέσεως, which we render prudentiam (prudence), I understand this to mean the discrimination that proceeds from intelligence. Both are called spiritual by Paul, because they are not attained in any other way than by the guidance of the Spirit.

For the animal man does not perceive the things that are of God (1 Corinthians 2:14).

As long as men are regulated by their own carnal perceptions, they also have their own wisdom, but it is of such a nature that it is mere vanity, however much they may delight themselves in it. We see what sort of theology there is under the Papacy, what is contained in the books of philosophers, and what wisdom profane men hold in estimation. Let us, however, bear in mind that the wisdom which alone is commended by Paul is comprehended in the will of God.