CHRIST, THE SOURCE OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE
Colossians 2:1-7

INTRODUCTION
A. In Colossians 2:1-7, the apostle Paul is going to inform the Colossians that he wanted them to be encouraged and bound together by love, fully possessing God’s knowledge
B. All the spiritual information they needed could be found in Christ
C. Therefore, they were to follow Him and not draw away from their faithfulness to Him
DISCUSSION
A. PAUL’S DESIRE: THEIR FULL UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S MYSTERY (2:1-2)
1. “For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you,” (v. 1a)
a. Paul has just said in 1:28 that he wanted to present them perfect in Christ, and this could be possible if the lived by the traits mentioned in 2:2
b. Because of Paul’s goal in this regard, Paul says “I strive for you”
1) I struggle for you – ESV (KJV – conflict)
2) “Strive” comes from agon and means dedication expressed in consistent effort
3) This illustrates how diligently Paul sought their welfare
2. As a matter of fact, Paul had this desire even for those who “have not seen my face in the flesh” (v. 1b) – that is, even those who had not seen him personally
3. Paul was dedicated in his effort in seeing that:
a. Their “hearts were comforted” [encouraged – ESV, NKJ] (v. 2a)
1) Paul’s intense effort was directed toward uplifting others spiritually
2) He was concerned about their inner-self
3) Proverbs 4:23
b. They were “knit together in love” (v. 2b)
1) The idea of “knit together” in the Greek is that of “bringing together”
2) True unity among Christians depends on love and enduring trust
3) The unity of all the faithful should be the goal of every Christian
a) Not unity with the world
b) Not unity in diversity
c) 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
c. They achieve “all riches of the full assurance of understanding,” (v. 2c)
1) True “riches” (wealth) is not found in money or in things of physical worth, but rather is found in “understanding”
2) Ignorance can breed insecurity, while understanding can give “assurance”
a) God’s revealed word is that which gives us the proper “understanding”
b) Of course, this understanding can only come as we study God’s word
(1) 1 Timothy 4:13
(2) 2 Timothy 2:15
3) The result of this “understanding” is the knowledge of “the mystery of God”
a) We need true knowledge of the “mystery of God”
b) This “mystery” is a divine secret that could only be known by divine revelation, not through human reasoning – this mystery was revealed by the inspired writers of the New Testament
c) Ephesians 3:3-5
4. So Paul’s earnest desire for them was that they know the mystery – this should be our desire
B. HIS REVELATION: ALL WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE IN CHRIST (2:3-4)
1. “in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden” (v. 3)
a. Notice the phrase “in whom” – in Christ – is “all” of the “wisdom and knowledge” found
b. Thus, the Colossians were not to look for “wisdom and knowledge” elsewhere – they must adhere strictly to the teachings of Christ and the New Testament
c. Notice the word “all” – there would be no later day revelation – the New Testament is the fully revealed will of God
2. “This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.” (v. 4)
a. “This I say” – Paul is giving warning not to be seduced by false teachers
b. Christians are always in danger of being influenced by false teachers with their impressive speech and magnetic personalities
c. The Bible warns often about false teachers and perils of getting entrapped by them
1) 1 John 4:1
2) Galatians 1:6-10
C. HIS DELIGHT: THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST (2:5)
1. “For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit,” (v. 5a)
a. No matter where Paul was his thoughts and prayers were with them
b. And evidently was receiving reports and following their progress, for he was…
2. “joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.” (v. 5b)
a. Paul was rejoicing to see their:
1) “order” – taxis is a military term meaning “orderly ranks”
a) They were a disciplined people
b) Their lives were well-ordered after the instructions of God
c) 1 Corinthians 9:27
2) “stedfastness” of “faith in Christ”
a) “Stedfastness” comes from stereoma and mean firmness, also used in a military sense
b) They were stable and solid in their faith
b. Paul was happy to see that their lives were ordered, controlled, and strong – but he still felt the need to give them warning…
D. HIS ADMONITION: TO WALK IN CHRIST AS THEY HAD RECEIVED HIM (2:6)
1. “As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him” (v. 6)
a. “Therefore” connects this thought to the statement that “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are in Christ (v. 3)
b. Knowing that these treasures were available to them in Christ, the Colossians were to cling to Him alone and restrict their lives to the parameters of His commands
2. To “receive Christ” is more than simply acknowledging Him, but accepting the fact that:
a. He is God’s appointed Ruler (Mt. 28:18)
b. He is the means of forgiveness of sins (Rom. 10:9)
c. He must be obeyed (Lk. 6:46)
3. The Colossians are encourage to continue to “walk in him”
a. “Walking” in a spiritual sense means to progress in a certain realm
b. Some walk in darkness (Jn. 8:12), which, of course, is the wrong direction
c. The Colossians were to “walk” in Christ
1) They were to walk in Christ with the same trust and confidence they had when they received Him
2) 1 John 1:6-7
E. HIS ENCOURAGEMENT: TO BE BUILT UP IN CHRIST (2:7)
1. “rooted and builded up in him,” (v. 7a)
a. Being “rooted” is to be firmly fixed
1) “Rooted,” in the Greek, is a perfect passive participle – and expresses an action completed in the past but having a continuing result
2) If we are firmly rooted in Christ we will not easily be uprooted – keep growing in Christ!
b. “Builded” carries the idea of developing certain qualities
1) A present participle expressing continued action
2) They (and we) are to continue to be built up in Christ
3) Notice the important phrase: “in him”
2. “and established in your faith, even as ye were taught,” (v. 7b)
a. “Establish” primarily means to “prove beyond a doubt” – and thus to have firm conviction
b. Notice “in your faith” – it personal – but it is still based on the entire body of Christian teaching…Romans 10:17
3. “abounding in thanksgiving.” (v. 7c)
a. This is also a present participle expressing continuous action
b. “Abounding” – excelling, we should keep on excelling in “thanksgiving”
c. Gratitude breeds contentment, which provides a stabilizing influence
CONCLUSION
A. Christ, is the source of wisdom and knowledge
B. We must be growing in faith
C. We must look only to Jesus

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
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