Colossians 1:9
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;
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's prayer that the Colossians might be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding is the epistle's opening theological petition, setting the agenda of the letter as cognitive and moral formation. The phrase 'epignosis' (full knowledge, as opposed to simple gnosis) suggests not mere intellectual information but participatory, relational knowing — a distinction important in the context of the incipient Colossian proto-gnosticism. The telos of this wisdom (1:10) is walking worthy of the Lord to all pleasing — showing that knowledge in Pauline ethics is always directed toward transformed life. Ephesians 1:17-18 contains a nearly parallel prayer, suggesting this was a characteristic Pauline intercession for his churches.
Other Translations
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Because of this, we also, from the day in which we heard, do not cease praying for you, and asking that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
For this reason, we, from the day when we had word of it, keep on in prayer for you, that you may be full of the knowledge of his purpose, with all wisdom and experience of the Spirit,
Cross References
Pray without ceasing.
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, …
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but …
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish …
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know …
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his …
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.