“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”
For this reason, because we have heard of your faith and love, we have not ceased to pray and ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding — Paul's prayer is responsive: he prays because they believe and love. 'Fill you with the knowledge' (pleroō epignōsis thelema) uses fullness-language (pleroō is crucial in Colossians): they are to be filled with divine will-knowledge. 'All spiritual wisdom and understanding' (pasa sophia pneumatike kai synesis) emphasizes comprehensive spiritual wisdom. Understanding (synesis) is practical discernment.
Church Fathers on Colossians 1:9
“For this cause.” What cause? Because we heard of your faith and love, because we have good hopes, we are hopeful to ask for future blessings also. For as in the games we cheer on those most who are near upon gaining the victory, just so does Paul also most exhort those who have achieved the greater part. “Since the day we heard it,” says he, “we do not cease to pray for you.” Not for one day do we pray for you, nor yet for two, nor three. Herein he both shows his love, and…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!