Colossians 1 · Verse 9

Colossians 1:9

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;

Colossians 1:9, King James Version

Colossians 1:9 in other translations

BSB	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,
WEB	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,
ASV	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,
YLT	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,
DARBY	For this reason we also, from the day we heard of your faith and love, do not cease praying and asking for you, to the end that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
BBE	For this reason, we, from the day when we had word of it, keep on in prayer for you, that you may be full of the knowledge of his purpose, with all wisdom and experience of the Spirit,
Webster	For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

What does Colossians 1:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

9. we also--on our part. heard it--(Col 1:4). pray--Here he states what in particular he prays for; as in Col 1:3 he stated generally the fact of his praying for them. to desire--"to make request." might be filled--rather, "may be filled"; a verb, often found in this Epistle (Col 4:12, 17). knowledge--Greek, "full and accurate knowledge." Akin to the Greek for "knew" (see on Col 1:6). of his will--as to how ye ought to walk (Ep 5:17); as well as chiefly that "mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself; that in the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ" (Ep 1:9, 10); God's "will," whereby He eternally purposed to reconcile to Himself, and save men by Christ, not by angels, as the false teachers in some degree taught (Col 2:18) [Estius]. There seems to have been a want of knowledge among the Colossians; notwithstanding their general excellencies; hence he so often dwells on this subject (Col 1:28; Col 2:2, 3; 3:10, 13; 4:5, 6). On the contrary he less extols wisdom to the Corinthians, who were puffed up with the conceit of knowledge. wisdom--often mentioned in this Epistle, as opposed to the (false) "philosophy" and "show of wisdom" (Col 2:8, 23; compare Ep 1:8). understanding--sagacity to discern what on each occasion is suited to the place and the time; its seat is "the understanding" or intellect; wisdom is more general and has its seat in the whole compass of the faculties of the soul [Bengel]. "Wouldst thou know that the matters in the word of Christ are real things? Then never read them for mere knowledge sake" [Quoted by Gaussen.] Knowledge is desirable only when seasoned by "spiritual understanding."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 9. Do not cease to pray for you. Col 1:3. The progress which they had already made, and the love which they had shown, constituted an encouragement for prayer, and a reason why higher blessings still should be sought. We always feel stimulated and encouraged to pray for those who are doing well.

That ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will. They had shown, by their faith and love, that they were disposed to do his will, and the apostle now prays that they might be fully acquainted with what he would have them do. He offered a similar prayer in behalf of the Ephesians. See the parallel place in Eph 1:17-19, and the Notes on those verses.

In all wisdom. That you may be truly wise in all things, Eph 1:17.

And spiritual understanding. In understanding those things that pertain to the "Spirit;" that is, those things taught by the Holy Spirit, and those which he produces in the work of salvation. 1Cor 2:12, 1Cor 2:13. Comp. 1Jn 2:20, 5:20.

(b) "in all wisdom" Rom 12:2, Eph 5:10,11 (c) "spiritual" Ps 119.99 (d) "understanding" 1Jn 5:20

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 9 For this cause - See on Eph 1:15-16 (note), where the same sentiment occurs. That ye might be filled - Nothing could satisfy the apostle, either for himself or his hearers, but the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of peace. The Colossians had knowledge, but they must have more; it is their privilege to be filled with it. As the bright shining of the sun in the firmament of heaven fills the whole world with light and heat, so the light of the Sun of righteousness is to illuminate their whole souls, and fill them with Divine splendor, so that they might know the will of God, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; in a word, that they might have such a knowledge of Divine things as the Spirit of truth can teach to the soul of man.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 1:9-14

The apostle was constant in prayer, that the believers might be filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all wisdom. Good words will not do without good works. He who undertakes to give strength to his people, is a God of power, and of glorious power. The blessed Spirit is the author of this. In praying for spiritual strength, we are not straitened, or confined in the promises, and should not be so in our hopes and desires. The grace of God in the hearts of believers is the power of God; and there is glory in this power. The special use of this strength was for sufferings. There is work to be done, even when we are suffering. Amidst all their trials they gave thanks to the Father of our Lord Jesus, whose special grace fitted them to partake of the inheritance provided for the saints. To bring about this change, those were made willing subjects of Christ, who were slaves of Satan. All who are designed for heaven hereafter, are prepared for heaven now. Those who have the inheritance of sons, have the education of sons, and the disposition of sons. By faith in Christ they enjoyed this redemption, as the purchase of his atoning blood, whereby forgiveness of sins, and all other spiritual blessings were bestowed. Surely then we shall deem it a favour to be delivered from Satan's kingdom and brought into that of Christ, knowing that all trials will soon end, and that every believer will be found among those who come out of great tribulation.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Colossians 1:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΔιὰDiaBecause ofG1223

τοῦτοtoutothisG3778

καὶkaialsoG2532

ἡμεῖς,hēmeiswe ourselvesG3165

ἀφ᾽aph᾽fromG575

ἧςhēstheG3739

ἡμέραςhēmerasdayG2250

ἠκούσαμεν,ēkousamenwe heard,G191

οὐounotG3756

παυόμεθαpauomethaceaseG3973

ὑπὲρhuperforG5228

ὑμῶνhumōnyouG4771

προσευχόμενοιproseuchomenoiprayingG4336

καὶkaiandG2532

αἰτούμενοιaitoumenoiaskingG154

ἵναinathatG2443

πληρωθῆτεplērōthēteyou may be filled withG4137

τὴνtēntheG3588

ἐπίγνωσινepignōsinknowledgeG1922

τοῦtouof theG3588

θελήματοςthelēmatoswillG2307

αὐτοῦautouof HimG846

ἐνeninG1722

πάσῃpasēallG3956

σοφίᾳsophiawisdomG4678

καὶkaiandG2532

συνέσειsuneseiin understandingG4907

πνευματικῇpneumatikēaspiritualG4152

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 1:9

James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Philippians 1:9-11
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Ephesians 1:15-20
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, …
Colossians 4:5
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
1 Peter 2:15
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
Hebrews 13:21
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 1:11
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
Psalms 143:10
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
1 Samuel 12:23
Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

since.
3,4,6; Ro 1:8-10; Eph 1:15,16
do.
1Sa 12:23; Ac 12:5; Php 1:4; 1Th 1:3; 5:17; 2Th 1:11; 2Ti 1:3,4
Phm 1:4
that ye.
1Co 1:5; Eph 1:15-20; 3:14-19; Php 1:9-11
of his.
4:12; Ps 143:10; Joh 7:17; Ro 12:2; Eph 5:10,17; 6:6; Heb 10:36
Heb 13:21; 1Pe 2:15; 4:2; 1Jo 2:17
wisdom.
3:16; 4:5; Ps 119:99; Eph 1:8; Jas 1:5; 3:17
spiritual.
1Jo 5:20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Colossians 1:8
Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
Colossians 1:9
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;
Colossians 1:10
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Read all of Colossians 1

Colossians 1:9 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Por lo cual también nosotros, desde el día que lo oímos, no cesamos de orar por vosotros, y de pedir que seáis llenos del conocimiento de su voluntad, en toda sabiduría y espiritual inteligencia;
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	C’est pourquoi nous aussi, depuis le jour où nous en avons entendu parler, nous ne cessons pas de prier et de demander pour vous que vous soyez remplis de la connaissance de sa volonté, en toute sagesse et intelligence spirituelle,
German Elberfelder 1871	Deshalb hören auch wir nicht auf, von dem Tage an, da wir es gehört haben, für euch zu beten und zu bitten, auf daß ihr erfüllt sein möget mit der Erkenntnis seines Willens in aller Weisheit und geistlichem Verständnis,
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Ideo et nos ex qua die audivimus, non cessamus pro vobis orantes, et postulantes ut impleamini agnitione voluntatis ejus, in omni sapientia et intellectu spiritali: