Uniting Heaven and Earth
Christ in Philippians and Colossians
Complete in Christ
Lesson 10 - Sunday
The Wisdom and Knowledge of God
Read: Colossians 2:1–7
When Paul writes to the believers in Colossae, he is not writing casually. He says, “I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you” (Col. 2:1). Though he had never seen many of them face to face, he labored for them in prayer and concern. Why? Because their stability in Christ mattered.
Paul’s Purpose: Encouragement and Strength
In Colossians 2:2, Paul longs “that their hearts might be comforted [encouraged], being knit together in love.” His purpose is twofold:
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Encouragement – that their hearts would not grow faint.
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Strength and unity – that they would be knit together in love and grounded in truth.
The word translated “comforted” carries the idea of being strengthened and fortified. Paul knew false teachings were circulating. He understood that confused Christians become unstable Christians. So he points them to Christ: “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).
Paul’s aim is clear: anchor believers so deeply in Christ that deception cannot uproot them (Col. 2:4).
This theme echoes elsewhere:
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“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro” (Eph. 4:14).
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“Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith” (Col. 2:7).
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“Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord” (2 Pet. 3:18).
Spiritual maturity does not happen accidentally. It requires grounding.
Wisdom and Knowledge Are Found in Christ
Paul does not send them to philosophy, tradition, or human reasoning. He sends them to Christ. Everything we need for salvation, growth, and discernment is found in Him.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10).
“Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24).
If we seek wisdom apart from Christ, we drift. If we seek Him, we find stability.
Order Matters in the Church
Paul also speaks of “beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ” (Col. 2:5). That word “order” carries the idea of disciplined arrangement—like a well-formed army standing firm.
Christian faith is not chaos. The New Testament church was organized. Leaders were appointed. Structure was established.
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Deacons were chosen to serve and maintain unity (Acts 6:1–6).
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Elders were appointed in every church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).
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Qualifications were given for bishops and deacons (1 Tim. 3:1–13).
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“Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40).
Order protects doctrine. Order guards unity. Order allows ministry to flourish.
A church without leadership becomes vulnerable to confusion. A church without structure drifts into disorder. God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).
Why Our Spiritual Life Needs Order
What is true corporately is also true personally.
If your spiritual life is random, your growth will be random.
If your devotional life is inconsistent, your stability will be inconsistent.
Daniel had a set time of prayer (Dan. 6:10).
Jesus often withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16).
The early believers “continued steadfastly” (Acts 2:42).
Order in your spiritual life might look like:
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A daily time in Scripture.
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Consistent prayer.
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Regular fellowship with believers.
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Accountability and submission to godly leadership (Heb. 13:17).
Without order, emotions drive you. With order, truth anchors you.
Paul says, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him” (Col. 2:6–7). Notice the progression: received, rooted, built up, established, abounding. Growth is structured. It builds layer upon layer.
A tree without roots falls in the storm. A believer without structure collapses under pressure.
The Call to Stability
Paul’s heart burns with concern. He wants believers encouraged. He wants them united. He wants them grounded in Christ’s wisdom. He wants their faith orderly and firm.
That should be our desire too.
Not excitement without depth.
Not passion without foundation.
But encouragement joined with strength.
Love joined with truth.
Faith joined with order.
If Christ truly holds all wisdom and knowledge, then we must cling to Him daily and structure our lives around Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You that all wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ. Strengthen our hearts and knit us together in love. Establish our churches in truth and order, raising up faithful elders and deacons who will guard Your flock. Bring discipline and consistency into our own spiritual lives. Root us deeply in Christ so we will not be shaken by false teaching or spiritual drift. Build us up, establish our faith, and cause us to abound with thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
