Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
we also--on our part.
heard it-- (Colossians 1:4).
pray--Here he states what in particular he prays for; as in Colossians 1:3 he stated generally the fact of his praying for them.
to desire--"to make request."
might be filled--rather, "may be filled"; a verb, often found in this Epistle (Colossians 4:12, Colossians 4:17).
knowledge--Greek, "full and accurate knowledge." Akin to the Greek for "knew" (see on Colossians 1:6).
of his will--as to how ye ought to walk (Ephesians 5:17); as well as chiefly that "mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself; that in the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ" (Ephesians 1:9-10); God's "will," whereby He eternally purposed to reconcile to Himself, and save men by Christ, not by angels, as the false teachers in some degree taught (Colossians 2:18) [ESTIUS]. There seems to have been a want of knowledge among the Colossians; notwithstanding their general excellencies; hence he so often dwells on this subject (Colossians 1:28; Colossians 2:2-3; Colossians 3:10, Colossians 3:13; Colossians 4:5-6). On the contrary he less extols wisdom to the Corinthians, who were puffed up with the conceit of knowledge.
wisdom--often mentioned in this Epistle, as opposed to the (false) "philosophy" and "show of wisdom" (Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:23; compare Ephesians 1:8).
understanding--sagacity to discern what on each occasion is suited to the place and the time; its seat is "the understanding" or intellect; wisdom is more general and has its seat in the whole compass of the faculties of the soul [BENGEL]. "Wouldst thou know that the matters in the word of Christ are real things? Then never read them for mere knowledge sake" [Quoted by GAUSSEN.] Knowledge is desirable only when seasoned by "spiritual understanding."
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Ephesians 1:16
Colossians 1:10
Colossians 1:12
Colossians 1:28
Colossians 2:2
Colossians 3:10
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