TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
KJV (with Strong's)
For G1223 this cause G5124 we G2249 also G2532, since G575 the G3739 day G2250 we heard G191 it, do G3973 not G3756 cease G3973 to pray G4336 for G5228 you G5216, and G2532 to desire G154 that G2443 ye might be filled G4137 with the knowledge G1922 of his G846 will G2307 in G1722 all G3956 wisdom G4678 and G2532 spiritual G4152 understanding G4907;
Complete Jewish Bible
Therefore, from the day we heard of it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all the wisdom and understanding which the Spirit gives;
Berean Standard Bible
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
American Standard Version
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
World English Bible Messianic
For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Geneva Bible (1599)
For this cause wee also, since the day wee heard of it, cease not to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be fulfilled with knowledge of his will in all wisdome, and spirituall vnderstanding,
Young's Literal Translation
Because of this, we also, from the day in which we heard, do not cease praying for you, and asking that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
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In the KJVVerse 29,475 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Colossians 1 verses 9–11
9 ¶ For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
The apostle proceeds in these verses to pray for them. He heard that they were good, and he prayed that they might be better. He was constant in this prayer: We do not cease to pray for you. It may be he could hear of them but seldom, but he constantly prayed for them. - And desire that you may be filled with the knowledge, etc. Observe what it is that he begs of God for them,
I. That they might be knowing intelligent Christians: filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Observe, 1. The knowledge of our duty is the best knowledge. A mere empty notion of the greatest truths is insignificant. Our knowledge of the will of God must be always practical: we must know it, in order to do it. 2. Our knowledge is then a blessing indeed when it is in wisdom, when we know how to apply our general knowledge to our particular occasions, and to suit it to all emergencies. 3. Christians should endeavour to be filled with knowledge; not only to know the will of God, but to know more of it, and to increase in the knowledge of God (as it is Col 1:10), and to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Pe2 3:18.
II. That their conversation might be good. Good knowledge without a good life will not profit. Our understanding is then a spiritual understanding when we exemplify it in our way of living: That you may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing (Col 1:10), that is, as becomes the relation we stand in to him and the profession we make of him. The agreeableness of our conversation to our religion is pleasing to God as well as to good men. We walk unto all well-pleasing when we walk in all things according to the will of God. Being fruitful in every good work. This is what we should aim at. Good words will not do without good works. We must abound in good works, and in every good work: not in some only, which are more easy, and suitable, and safe, but in all, and every instance of them. There must be a regular uniform regard to all the will of God. And the more fruitful we are in good works the more we shall increase in the knowledge of God. He who doeth his will shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, Joh 7:17.
III. That they might be strengthened: Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power (Col 1:11), fortified against the temptations of Satan and furnished for all their duty. It is a great comfort to us that he who undertakes to give strength to his people is a God of power and of glorious power. Where there is spiritual life there is still need of spiritual strength, strength for all the actions of the spiritual life. To be strengthened is to be furnished by the grace of God for every good work, and fortified by that grace against every evil one: it is to be enabled to do our duty, and still to hold fast our integrity. The blessed Spirit is the author of this strength; for we are strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inward man, Eph 3:16. The word of God is the means of it, by which he conveys it; and it must be fetched in by prayer. It was in answer to earnest prayer that the apostle obtained sufficient grace. In praying for spiritual strength we are not straitened in the promises, and therefore should not be straitened in our own hopes and desires. Observe, 1. He prayed that they might be strengthened with might: this seems a tautology; but he means, that they might be mightily strengthened, or strengthened with might derived from another. 2. It is with all might. It seems unreasonable that a creature should be strengthened with all might, for that is to make him almighty; but he means, with all that might which we have occasion for, to enable us to discharge our duty or preserve our innocence, that grace which is sufficient for us in all the trials of life and able to help us in time of need. 3. It is according to his glorious power. He means, according to the grace of God: but the grace of God in the hearts of believers is the power of God; and there is a glory in this power; it is an excellent and sufficient power. And the communications of strength are not according to our weakness, to whom the strength is communicated, but according to his power, from whom it is received. When God gives he gives like himself, and when he strengthens he strengthens like himself. 4. The special use of this strength was for suffering work: That you may be strengthened unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. He prays not only that they may be supported under their troubles, but strengthened for them: the reason is there is work to be done even when we are suffering. And those who are strengthened according to his glorious power are strengthened, (1.) To all patience. When patience hath its perfect work (Jam 1:4) then we are strengthened to all patience - when we not only bear our troubles patiently, but receive them as gifts from God, and are thankful for them. To you it is given to suffer, Phi 1:29. When we bear our troubles well, though ever so many, and the circumstances of them ever so aggravating, then we bear them with all patience. And the same reason for bearing one trouble will hold for bearing another, if it be a good reason. All patience includes all the kinds of it; not only bearing patience, but waiting patience. (2.) This is even unto long-suffering, that is, drawn out to a great length: not only to bear trouble awhile, but to bear it as long as God pleases to continue it. (3.) It is with joyfulness, to rejoice in tribulation, to take joyfully the spoiling of our goods, and rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for his name, to have joy as well as patience in the troubles of life. This we could never do by any strength of our own, but as we are strengthened by the grace of God.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 9–11. Public domain.
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Clement of AlexandriaAD 215
The Stromata Book 5
For there is an instruction of the perfect, of which, writing to the Colossians, he says, "We cease not to pray for you, and beseech that ye may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye may walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing; being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might according to the glory of His power."
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On the Holy Spirit, Book 1
What, then, is more divine than the working of the Holy Spirit, since God Himself testifies that the Holy Spirit presides over His blessings, saying: "I will put My Spirit upon thy seed and My blessings upon thy children." For no blessing can be full except through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Wherefore, too, the Apostle found nothing better to wish us than this, as He himself said: "We cease not to pray and make request for you that ye may be filled with the knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding walking worthily of God." He taught, then, that this was the will of God, that rather by walking in good works and words and affections, we should be filled with the will of God, Who puts His Holy Spirit in our hearts.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Colossians 2
And Paul shows here, that since that time he has been praying, and has not yet prevailed, and yet has not desisted; for the words, "from the day we heard it," show this. But it implies condemnation to them, if, from that time, even assisted by prayers, they had not amended themselves. "And making request," he says, with much earnestness, for this the expression "ye knew" shows. But it is necessary still to know somewhat besides.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Colossians 2
"For this cause." What cause? Because we heard of your faith and love, because we have good hopes, we are hopeful to ask for future blessings also. For as in the games we cheer on those most who are near upon gaining the victory, just so doth Paul also most exhort those who have achieved the greater part.
"Since the day we heard it," saith he, "we do not cease to pray for you." Not for one day do we pray for you, nor yet for two, nor three. Herein he both shows his love, and gives them a gentle hint that they had not yet arrived at the end. For the words, "that ye may be filled," are of this significancy. And observe, I pray, the prudence of this blessed one. He nowhere says that they are destitute of everything, but that they are deficient; everywhere the words, "that ye may be filled," show this.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Colossians 2
And, "that ye may be filled," he saith; not, "that ye may receive," for they had received; but "that ye may be filled" with what as yet was lacking. Thus both the rebuke was given without offense, and the praise did not suffer them to sink down, and become supine, as if it had been complete. But what is, "that ye may be filled with the knowledge of His will"? That through the Son we should be brought unto Him, and no more through Angels. Now that ye must be brought unto Him, ye have learnt, but it remains for you to learn this, and why He sent the Son. "In all spiritual wisdom," he saith, "and understanding." For since the philosophers deceived them; I wish you, he saith, to be in spiritual wisdom, not after the wisdom of men. But if in order to know the will of God, there needs spiritual wisdom; to know His Essence what it is, there is need of continual prayers.
Severian of GabalaAD 425
It is God’s will, that we acknowledge him and know that it is not possible to be saved by angels but only through Jesus Christ. How then can we know this? Through spiritual, not worldly, wisdom. .
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Colossians 1:9 encapsulates the profound intercessory prayer of the Apostle Paul for the believers in Colossae, revealing his earnest desire for their spiritual maturation. He prays that they would be continually filled with a deep, experiential knowledge of God's sovereign will, not merely through intellectual assent, but through the integration of divine wisdom and spiritual understanding, empowering them to live lives that honor and please the Lord in every aspect. This verse serves as a foundational model for believers seeking to grow in intimacy with God and discernment of His purposes.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey the depth and urgency of his prayer. The phrase "do not cease to pray" is an example of hyperbole (or perhaps litotes, if interpreted as "we certainly pray continually"), emphasizing the unwavering and persistent nature of his intercession. The use of the verb "filled" (plēróō) is a powerful metaphor, likening the reception of God's knowledge to a vessel being completely saturated or overflowing, suggesting a comprehensive and abundant spiritual endowment. Furthermore, the pairing of "wisdom" and "spiritual understanding" creates a hendiadys (or a complementary pairing), where two distinct terms are used to express a single, complex idea: a divinely empowered capacity for discerning and applying God's truth. This combination underscores that true spiritual insight is both theoretical comprehension and practical application, all under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Colossians 1:9 is a cornerstone verse that highlights the essential connection between divine revelation, spiritual maturity, and purposeful living. It underscores that genuine Christian growth is not merely about adherence to rules or participation in rituals, but about a profound, Spirit-empowered understanding of God's active will. This knowledge is not for intellectual boasting but for practical application, enabling believers to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit and growing in their relationship with Him (Colossians 1:10). The emphasis on "spiritual understanding" also implicitly points to the Holy Spirit's indispensable role in illuminating divine truth, confirming that true wisdom comes from above, not from human philosophy or mystical experiences. This prayer sets a high standard for Christian aspiration, moving beyond superficial faith to a deep, transformative engagement with God's purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Colossians 1:9 offers a profound blueprint for both our personal spiritual growth and our intercessory prayers for others. It challenges us to move beyond superficial desires and to earnestly seek a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of God's will for our lives. This isn't about finding a specific job or spouse, but about discerning God's moral will, His redemptive purposes, and how our lives can align with His kingdom agenda. To be "filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" means cultivating a mind and heart that are receptive to divine truth, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture and guide our steps. It calls us to live intentionally, applying biblical principles to every decision and interaction, so that our lives genuinely reflect the character and purposes of God. This prayer encourages a lifelong pursuit of intimacy with God, recognizing that true wisdom is found in knowing and obeying Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean to be "filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding"?
Answer: To be "filled" (G4137 plēróō) implies a complete saturation, not just a partial or intellectual grasp. The "knowledge" (G1922 epígnōsis) is a deep, experiential, and transformative understanding, going beyond mere facts to a personal recognition of God's purposes. "His will" (G2307 thélēma) refers to God's active desire, sovereign plan, and moral precepts. This knowledge is to be received "in all wisdom" (G4678 sophía), which is the practical skill of living according to divine truth, and "spiritual understanding" (G4907 sýnesis), which is the Spirit-given ability to discern and comprehend spiritual realities. In essence, it means having a comprehensive, divinely-imparted insight into God's purposes that enables one to live skillfully and righteously, applying truth to every aspect of life. This is not humanly generated insight but a gift from God, empowering believers to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, as described in Colossians 1:10.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Colossians 1:9, while a prayer for the Colossian believers, finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Jesus Christ. The "knowledge of his will" that Paul prays for is perfectly embodied and revealed in Christ, who is the very "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). It is through Christ that God's will for creation and redemption is fully made known and accomplished. He is the one "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). Therefore, to be "filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" is fundamentally to grow in a deeper, more intimate knowledge of Christ Himself. The spiritual understanding Paul desires for the Colossians is precisely what enables them to comprehend the profound mystery of God, which is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). As believers are united with Christ, they receive the Holy Spirit, who guides them into all truth (John 16:13) and illuminates the Scriptures, thereby empowering them to discern and live out God's will. Thus, this prayer is ultimately a Christocentric plea for believers to increasingly conform to the mind and purposes of their Lord, who is the source and sum of all divine wisdom and understanding (1 Corinthians 1:30).