Commentaries:
Is fruit produced instantaneously? The apostle could not use this kind of terminology if it did not truly apply. Even as fruit is not produced instantaneously on a tree, but goes through a process from the bud to the actual produce, even so with us. A process takes place by which we become what God is making us.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace and Law (Part 19)
The Gnostics claimed to know more than anybody else; Gnostic means "to know." Gnosticism was the process, or system, of knowing more than anybody else, particularly the "mysteries." However, the word that Paul uses here, translated "knowledge," is epignosis, which means "complete knowledge."
The apostle is saying, then, "Brethren, you already have complete knowledge. These people cannot add anything to you." He is letting them know that they had gone backwards, giving up the riches of the knowledge of God for nothing more than bread crumbs by comparison. By writing in Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy. . . ," he warns them not to allow themselves to be taken captive, like the spoils of war—spiritual war. He did not want them taken captive and enslaved to demon worship through a philosophy that might appear to be enhancing their relationship with God but was really a perversion of the truth.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace and Law (Part 21)
The key in these verses is to understand that Paul speaks of a specific knowledge—the knowledge of God's will, God's knowledge. It is not knowledge about God but God's knowledge that we receive through study, teaching, and practice.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace and Law (Part 20)
Our joy through trials is a result of suffering for Christ's sake. Of the persecution we must endure, Jesus says, "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!" (Luke 6:23). Through the Holy Spirit, God gives us His gift of joy as part of the process of spiritual completion.
Martin G. Collins
Joy
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Paul tells the saints in Colosse that he prays they will possess the trait that is the opposite of wrath or revenge. He speaks of having an even temper, an attitude that in spite of injury or insult does not retaliate. We can develop longsuffering only as a fruit of the Spirit, not as an independent character trait. It grows from the common root of love and bears fruit only along with other spiritual fruit.
Martin G. Collins
Longsuffering
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Hebrews 11:5
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