Colossians 1:9–14 (ESV)

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

From this prayer, we learn that prayer makes two great requests:

1. It asks for the discernment of God’s will,

2. and then for the power to perform that will.

Today, we continue to examine the first request…

1.  TO BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WILL  (V.9)

Yesterday, we discussed the word “knowledge.” “Knowledge” means to have a full, thorough, deep and accurate understanding.

To be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, that is, to have a thorough, deep, and accurate understanding of God’s will is the foundation of all Christian character. So, how do we know if someone is filled with knowledge?

In Paul’s prayer, he implies two expression of knowledge.

1) Knowledge is expressed through spiritual wisdom.

“..asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual WISDOM..” (v. 9)

The Greek word for wisdom is “sophia.” Wisdom is a “head” thing. It is the full grasp of the great truths of the Christian life. It implies a vital knowledge of divine truth. It is the practical know-how that comes only from God.

2) Knowledge is expressed through spiritual understanding.

“..asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and UNDERSTANDING..” (v. 9)

The Greek word for understanding is “sunesis.” Understanding has to do with critical knowledge. It is the ability to apply a proper response to any given situation which may arise in life.

While “wisdom” is Insight into the true nature of things, “understanding” is the ability to discern the type of action that needs to be taken in order to achieve the desired results.

While “sophia” is theoretical, “sunesis” is practical.

So, when Paul prays that his friends may have wisdom and understanding, he is praying that they may understand the great truths of the Christian life and that they may be able to apply these truths to the tasks of decisions, which meet them in everyday living.

There is one other word we must unfold in this verse.

Paul asks the Father that the Colossians may be “filled” with the knowledge. The idea is that we would abound in the knowledge of His will. That we would have an abundance of the knowledge of God’s will.

In other words, –  the knowledge of the divine will is to pervade all our being:

– our thoughts,

– our affections,

– our purposes,

– and our plans.

People can quite easily be a master of theology and a failure in living. They may be able to write and talk about the great eternal truths, and yet be quite helpless to apply these truths to the things which meet them every day.

The Christian must know what the Christian truths mean, but he must also translate those meanings into every day living.