A Little Extra
that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9 NASB
Knowledge – One of the Greek words for knowledge is gnosis. There was an ancient sect called the Gnostics. They believed in secret knowledge. Both of these words, gnosis and Gnostic have made their way into English. They now mean mystical religious beliefs. In fact, there are still secret knowledge religions around today – religions that are based entirely on the concept that knowledge is power. But the Bible does not teach that knowledge is power. The Bible teaches that wisdom is power and knowledge is the means to gain wisdom. Wisdom does not come from Man’s reason but from God’s revelation. That doesn’t mean that we abandon reason and opt for “the Spirit told me.” God uses the rational capacity given to men to bring about understanding and action. But reason is not the final arbiter of truth. It does a man no good at all to be filled with knowledge if it does not lead him to wisdom, spiritual understanding and action. All the degrees on the wall can’t make a man into the character of Christ – and those degrees can’t rid a man of his guilt either. I know.
The word in this verse has a little Greek prefix added to it. Here it is epignosis. This tiny word epi adds intensity. It makes the idea stronger. Paul is not saying that he prays for the believer to be filled with knowledge. He is saying that he prays for the believer to be stuffed full. He prays that this knowledge will overflow. He prays that the dam of your mind will break under all that you learn of God. He wants you to be completely saturated so that every fiber of your being is drenched with God’s wisdom and understanding. That’s how you will know what God has in mind for you.
How will you experience this extra knowledge? Well, if you’re part of the first century rabbinic worldview, you discover all the extra that God has in mind by doing what He says. That’s right, understanding follows obedience. To know the will of the Father is to first do what He asks right now. Greek education offers information so that you can pass the exam at the end of the course. God asks for obedience so that you can stay in the class today. Greek thinking focuses on the goal, the end of the information. Hebrew focuses on the path, the next step in the right direction.
So what kind of knowledge are you seeking? God’s will is right in front of your face, in that next tiny, tiny thing that you need to do. It’s much easier to always look over the horizon at the final objective. “Over the horizon” vision means we don’t have to pay attention to those tiny obstacles at our feet. But then we usually trip, don’t we?
Topical Index: knowledge, epignosis, Colossians 1:9, reason
Years ago an inmate announced that the parole board had voted favorable to grant him parole and that God had told him he would be out in two weeks. Much excitement moved through the room. When I took the floor, I looked at the inmate who had made the announcement and told him it would be months before he would be out on parole. He asked how I could know that. I responded, “The Lord told me.” Actually it was my knowledge of the inmate but I played with him. I am not proud of that act on my part, regardless of how accurate I was in my pronoucement. It was 15 months before he was released on parole. I would have better served the occasion by simply stating that what was needed was wisdom and obedience to the Lord before making any announcements. Oh well, learning is a life long process and I claim to be still in the process of learning. Thanks, Skip, for reminding me.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”
Thank-you for this encouragement today. I have been especially discouraged lately by seeing my own sins passed on to my children. As soon as I begin to get angry, I feel punched in the stomach by the vivid and undeniable truth that their character issues – are but an echo of my own.
Mercy on me a sinner!
I’m in that big boat with you Gabe. As we prepare for the spring feasts I’m so sad to see my adult children passing on our old traditions to our grandchildren. Keep pulling in the right direction. It takes time to turn a wagon train around.