Wednesday, 12 April 2017
…in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3
The order of the Greek is, “…in whom are all the treasures the wisdom and knowledge hidden.” The “in whom” is speaking of Christ, not the mystery, of the preceding verse. Christ is the nearer antecedent, and therefore “in whom” is identifying Him as the repository. In him are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
The reason for introducing the thought will be seen in the coming verse. Paul is now identifying the true Source of everything which deals with true wisdom and knowledge. “Wisdom” is referring to that which is general in nature, such as the need for salvation. It is from this general body that comes understanding. And so understanding is that which is specific and which deals with the intellect after it has applied wisdom. Hence understanding embodies doctrinal matters. As the need for salvation is general, the way to be saved is specific. In Christ are also found the specific answers to such general things. In Him are found all things necessary in order to be fully knowledgeable about that which we need in order to be complete in our walk with God.
If we think through what we are being told, then it becomes obvious that if there is a need to be saved, and that God wants us to be saved, then He would provide that knowledge to us through the repository of that knowledge. This is the purpose of the Bible, which is the word of God, coming from the Word (meaning Christ) of God. There is nothing lacking in what we need in order to be saved, and in order to continue our walk in that state of salvation, so that we can be pleasing to Him.
Life application: We do not need a secret wisdom which only a few enlightened people can impart to us. What we need is to get our noses into the Bible and to discover Christ Jesus. In Him we have all that is necessary to be reconciled to God, and to be pleasing to Him in that state of having been reconciled.
Heavenly Father, thank You that nothing has been left undone concerning our ability to know if we are fully pleasing to You or not. You have revealed in Your word everything we need in order to be saved, and also in order to walk in a right manner before You. And both are centered on the Person and work of Christ Jesus. Thank You that everything we need is found in Him! Praise You for our Lord Jesus. Amen.