… in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Summary: When we look at the full context of Paul’s message, it becomes clear that the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are found only in Christ. Paul emphasizes that true wisdom isn’t hidden in secret teachings or outside sources, but in Christ alone.
What are the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge?”
As I read this verse, I find myself thinking about the whole of Paul’s thinking. He says:
“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3)
Is encouragement worth anything?
It is if you are discouraged. Especially if you are discouraged to the point of giving up. To be encouraged to receive the gift of hope. Hope keeps us going when the world around us seems to want to push us down.
How about being united? Is that worth anything?
If the opposite of being united with others is being alone, yes. Loneliness can be devastating. It is one of the devil’s most powerful tools for discouraging us and driving us to despair. Being united with others is the antidote to loneliness.
Then there is Paul’s reference to “complete understanding.”
The Greek word “synesis” used by Paul can be described as two rivers flowing into one. One river is called “Knowledge,” and the other is called “Understanding.” When knowledge and understanding come together, the power of the river is unstoppable.
This is where we get to the “mysteries of God.”
God knows everything! (Hebrews 4:13) There is nothing hidden from him. That means from God’s perspective, there are no mysteries. God doesn’t have to wonder about anything because he knows!
When Paul says the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are “hidden” in Christ, part of his meaning is that God knows all things. The other part has to do with our willingness to receive these “treasures” from God.
Our connection with God is Jesus (John 14:6). Jesus provides us with another connection, the Holy Spirit (John 15:26). People who reject Jesus are not able to receive God’s Spirit. (This is why he speaks in parables — Matthew 13:10-17.)
To be given the Word of God, the Bible, and the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, is an incredible gift. Through them, we have access to all the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” that we can handle.
Application: Got questions? Ask Jesus!
Food for Thought: How does God’s wisdom and knowledge change people?
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I am going to let Solomon answer this for me.
Proverbs 2: 1 – 22: My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
12Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,
13who have left the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,
14who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15whose paths are crooked
and who are devious in their ways.
16Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
17who has left the partner of her youth
and ignored the covenant she made before God. a
18Surely her house leads down to death
and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19None who go to her return
or attain the paths of life.
20Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21For the upright will live in the land,
and the blameless will remain in it;
22but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.
Nice answer!
Thanks, Rich! 🙂
Rich really nailed it. POW!
How does God’s wisdom and knowledge change people?
God’s wisdom and knowledge changes people’s path in life. Changes their course, direction, purpose, and the experience of our journey.
Proverbs 3:6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take
That’s not metaphorical, that’s straight facts. Seek His will, and He will give you the wisdom and understanding through the valley and over the mountains.
Psalm 23:3 He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake
The paths of righteousness are a direct path to Him.
Proverbs 4:18-19 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day
His wisdom and understanding change our perspective of ourselves, those around us, and lead us to a life more abundant in Him.
Proverbs 12:28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death
How does God’s wisdom and knowledge change people?
We are spiritual beings confined within physical bodies which this world teaches are important, In fact we are taught our will shall rule our lives, and as carnal beings we are to make decisions which fulfill the desires of our confining flesh.
We must come to understand, Christianity is not a retirement program, it is in reality a way of life. We are created and called to be a people in the process of being transformed into Spirit filled, empowered beings in service to our God, as we live according to His will over our own.
James 3:15-18
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Colossians 2:2,
That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
Romans 8:5-13
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Our creator knows our limitations, and has provided a way for all to see beyond this physical world, receive life as spiritual beings sensitive to His voice.
Good response! “We must come to understand, Christianity is not a retirement program, it is in reality a way of life.” I like that.
Thanks Ron! (and Chris!)
I like that, too!! Well said! 🙂