The Finished Cross

The Finished Cross Study

Colossians 1:9

That ye may be filled with (or, made complete in) the knowledge of his will (ch. 2:10; 4:12; Eph. 3:18, 19; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 13:21). On “knowledge” (ἐπίγνωσις), see note to ver. 6, and Lightfoot’s note here. “With the knowledge” represents the Greek accusative of specification (as in Phil. 1:11, where see Ellicott); and the verb πληρωθῆτε (comp. note on pleroma, ver. 19), as in ch. 2:10 and 1:25, denotes “fulfilled” or “made complete,” rather than, “made full“—“made complete as to the full knowledge,” etc. “His will” (“God’s will,” ver. 1; ch. 4:12) need not be limited to the original purpose of salvation (Eph. 1:9), or to his moral requirements respecting Christian believers (ver. 10; so Meyer), but includes “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) made known to us in Christ (vers. 26, 27). In all spiritual wisdom and understanding (ch. 2:2; Eph. 5:17; Phil. 1:9; 1 Cor. 14:20). 

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Colossians (p. 4). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Wisdom, in its highest sense, is the sum of personal excellence as belonging to the mind; it implies a vital knowledge of Divine truth, forming the sentiments and determining the will as it possesses the reason. Hence the word occurs in a great variety of connections: “Wisdom and knowledge” (ch. 2:3), “and prudence” (Eph. 1:8), etc. For this Church the apostle asks specially the gift of understanding or comprehension (comp. ch. 2:2; only in Eph. 3:4 and 2 Tim. 2:7 besides, in St. Paul; 1 Cor. 1:19 from LXX), the power of putting things together (σύν-εσις), of discerning the relations of different truths, the logical bearing and consequences of one’s principles. For the errors invading Colossæ were of a Gnostic type, mystic at once and rationalistic; against which a clear and well-informed understanding was the best protection (comp. notes on “truth,” in vers. 5, 6; also ch. 2:4, 8, 18, 23; Eph. 4:13, 14). This “wisdom and understanding” are “spiritual,” as inspired by the Divine Spirit (comp. the use of “spirit,” “spiritual,” in 1 Cor. 12:1–11; Gal. 6:1 and 5:16, 25; Eph. 1:17; 3:16–19), and opposed to all “wisdom of the flesh,” the unrenewed nature of man (ch. 2:18; 1 Cor. 2:4–6, 13–15; Jas. 3:15).

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Colossians (pp. 4–5). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Colossians 1:26-28

Ver. 26.—The mystery which hath been hidden away from the ages and from the generations (Eph. 2:2, 3; 3:5, 9; Rom. 16:25, 26; 11:25, 26, 33). The word “mystery” plays a large part in Colossians and Ephesians.

 28.77 μυστήριον, ου n: the content of that which has not been known before but which has been revealed to an in-group or restricted constituency—‘secret, mystery.’ ὑμῖν δέδοται γνῶναι τὰ μυστήρια τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν ‘the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you’ Mt 13:11. There is a serious problem involved in translating μυστήριον by a word which is equivalent to the English expression ‘mystery,’ for this term in English refers to a secret which people have tried to uncover but which they have failed to understand. In many instances μυστήριον is translated by a phrase meaning ‘that which was not known before,’ with the implication of its being revealed at least to some persons. 

Louw-Nida

 μυστήριον mystērionmystery

Letter, Community Colossians

Body 1:9–4:6

Expositional Argument 1:9–2:5

Figure of Speech

Description: Alliteration

Name: Homoeopropheron

Figure of Speech

Description: Duplication

Name: Epizeuxis

Figure of Speech

Description: Two for One

Name: Hendiadys

Figure of Speech

Description: Non-sequence

Name: Anacoluthon

Figure of Speech

Name: Correspondence

Intertext

Target: NHC I 3, 18:11–19

Corpus: Nag Hammadi Codices

Relationship: Allusion

Longacre Genre

Primary: Expository: What things are or were like

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Colossians (pp. 16–17). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Ages are successive epochs of time, with their states and conditions (comp. Gal. 1:4); generations are successive races of men, with their traditions and hereditary tendencies. But now it was made manifest to his saints (ch. 2:2; 4:3; Eph. 1:9; 3:5; 6:19; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:20). The word “reveal” (Eph. 3:5; 1 Cor. 2:10) indicates a process, “make manifest” points to the result of this Divine act (Rom. 16:25, 26: comp. Rom. 1:17 with 3:21; see Trenci’s ‘Synonyms’).

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Colossians (p. 17). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

 28.77 μυστήριον, ου n: the content of that which has not been known before but which has been revealed to an in-group or restricted constituency—‘secret, mystery.’ ὑμῖν δέδοται γνῶναι τὰ μυστήρια τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν ‘the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you’ Mt 13:11. There is a serious problem involved in translating μυστήριον by a word which is equivalent to the English expression ‘mystery,’ for this term in English refers to a secret which people have tried to uncover but which they have failed to understand. In many instances μυστήριον is translated by a phrase meaning ‘that which was not known before,’ with the implication of its being revealed at least to some persons. 

Louw-Nida

 μυστήριον mystērionmystery

Letter, Community Colossians

Body 1:9–4:6

Expositional Argument 1:9–2:5

Figure of Speech

Description: Alliteration

Name: Homoeopropheron

Figure of Speech

Description: Duplication

Name: Epizeuxis

Figure of Speech

Description: Two for One

Name: Hendiadys

Figure of Speech

Description: Non-sequence

Name: Anacoluthon

Figure of Speech

Name: Correspondence

Intertext

Target: NHC I 3, 18:11–19

Corpus: Nag Hammadi Codices

Relationship: Allusion

Longacre Genre

Primary: Expository: What things are or were like

Colossians 2:2

 “The riches of the full assurance,” etc., and “the knowledge of the mystery” are the counterpart of “the riches of the glory of the mystery,” of ch. 1:27; the fulness of conviction and completeness of knowledge attainable by the Christian correspond to the full and satisfying character of the revelation he receives in Christ (comp. Eph. 1:17–19). (On “understanding,” see note, ch. 1:9.) “Full assurance,” or “conviction” (πληροφορία), is a word belonging to St. Luke and St. Paul (with the Epistle to the Hebrews) in the New Testament (not found in classical Greek), and denotes radically “a bringing to full measure or maturity.” Combined with “understanding,” it denotes the ripe, intelligent persuasion of one who enters into the whole wealth of the “truth as it is in Jesus” (comp. ch. 4:12, R.V.; also Rom. 4:21 and 14:5, for corresponding verb). In this inward “assurance,” as in a fortress, the Colossians were to entrench themselves against the attacks of error ch. 1:9; 3:15, and notes: ch. 1:9; 3:15). Εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν is either in explanatory apposition to the previous clause, or rather denotes the further purpose for which this wealth of conviction is to be sought: “knowledge of the Divine mystery, knowledge of Christ”—this is the supreme end, ever leading on and upward, for the pursuit of which all strengthening of heart and understanding are given (ch. 3:10; Eph. 3:16–19; Phil. 3:10).

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Colossians (p. 83). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.