Colossians 2:2

2. that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, even Christ,

Translation and Paraphrase

2. (I agonize) that their hearts may be comforted (and exhorted), being knit together in love, and (knit together in such a way that they will come) unto all the riches of full assurance in (their) understanding. (Yea, further I agonize that they may be so knit together that they come) unto a precise knowledge of the mystery of God, (which is, stated very simply,) Christ (alone).

Notes

1.

What were the goals which Paul sought in his striving? He sought: (1) that the Colossians might be comforted; (2) that they might be knit together in love; (3) that they might be knit together unto all riches of understanding, that is, knit together so they could come unto the full riches of understanding.

2.

The verb comfort (parakaleo) has the double meaning of comfort and also to exhort, or urge. Our comfort in Christ should be an exhortation to us to serve Him better. Tychicus was sent to the Ephesians and the Colossians to comfort their hearts. Ephesians 6:22; Colossians 4:8.

3.

The Colossians were to be knit together in love. The word knit means to cause to coalesce, to join together, to put together, to unite. (Thayer). We think of broken bones being knit back together until the pieces are one again. In this manner Christians should be knit together in love. Colossians 2:19. Without love a church is not a true church.

4.

The goal for which Christians are knit together is that they may come unto all the riches of the full assurance of understanding.

Our pleasant association together as Christians is a marvelous teacher. Better than any words it reveals to us the riches of our faith and gives us assurance.

5.

The expression unto the riches of the full assurance of understanding is a bit complicated.

Paul frequently used the word riches to describe the blessings of Christians. Ephesians 1:18. The abundance of God's grace is also spoken of as the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7. Compare Ephesians 3:16.

The term full assurance (Gr. plerophoria) means fulness, abundance, most certain confidence. 1 Thessalonians 1:5: Our gospel came unto you in much assurance. (Compare Luke 1:1 in Gr.)

Understanding (Gr. sunesis) refers to the mind insofar as it understands things. The term indicates an understanding of the bearing of things on one another.

Using the definitions of the words as given above, it appears that Paul desired that the understanding of the Colossians should develop until it was aware of the great riches that lie in full assurance.
When we reach the point where we have utterly no doubts about the truths of the Bible, no doubts about our salvation, and no hesitation in trusting God fully at all times, we feel good! We have riches!

6.

Paul gives a summary or climax of his desires for the Colossians at the close of Colossians 2:2: That they may know the mystery of God, (which is) Christ. John 17:3.

7.

In Colossians 2:2 we again have a reference to God's mystery that is now revealed. That mystery, simply stated, is that Christ Jesus is now the unfailing hope of all nations for glory from God. See notes on Colossians 1:26.

8.

There is considerable variation in the ancient Greek manuscripts on the phrase the mystery of God, even Christ. Even the King James text follows a slightly different reading than the American Standard. The King James use of Father after God is obviously unnecessary. The reading of the American Standard version exactly translates the wording of the best current editions of the Greek N.T., those of Nestle-Aland (1956) and the United Bible Societies (1966).

Study and Review

30.

What did Paul desire about the hearts of those he had not seen personally? (Colossians 2:2)

31.

In what were these people to be knit together?

32.

Explain the term knit.

33.

Unto what were these brethren to be knit together?

34.

What does Colossians 2:2 indicate about the value of a full understanding?

35.

What did Paul want these brethren to know?

36.

What does Colossians 2:2 say the mystery of God is? (Please use American Standard version wording here.)