Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church reveals the foundation of Christian maturity: we must first know God’s truth before we can properly apply it. Without knowledge of His absolutes, we have no standard by which to judge our actions or make decisions that honor Him.
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding
Paul prays that the believers would be “filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” These three terms—knowledge, wisdom, and understanding—represent distinct but interconnected aspects of spiritual growth.
Knowledge is having the facts. We read God’s Word and gain factual understanding of who He is and what He commands.
Wisdom is the ability to draw applications from those facts. It’s taking the absolutes of Scripture and creating principles that guide our decisions.
Understanding is applying those principles to our specific circumstances. It’s asking: “What does this mean for me today in my situation?”
The Example of the Disciples
Jesus demonstrated this principle when He walked on water after feeding the 5,000. The disciples were “completely amazed”—but they had already forgotten the miracle they had witnessed that same day. Their hearts were hardened because their minds were forgetful.
The principle is clear: hard hearts come from forgetful minds. When we forget what God has done, our hearts harden toward Him.
Five Benefits of Applied Knowledge
Paul outlines what happens when we properly know God’s truth, draw principles from it, and apply it to our lives:
1. Walk Worthy — When we know God’s standards and apply them, we live in daily devotion to Him, fulfilling the role He specifically placed us in His body.
2. Bear Fruit — Like a tree planted by streams of water, we produce fruit in season—not for ourselves, but to feed others. True wisdom produces peace, gentleness, mercy, and good fruits for others.
3. Grow — The more we know and apply God’s truth, the more we want to know. Growth and maturity are critical themes in the New Testament—our goal is to become like Christ.
4. Be Strengthened — We are continuously strengthened with power according to His glorious might, not our own ability. This strengthening comes through the Holy Spirit as we are in His Word.
5. Endure with Joy — When we know God’s character and promises, we can endure suffering with patience and even joy, just as Paul did in prison.
“Everything in the behavior of a Christian must be based on revealed truth.”
Know Your Role
Paul’s prayer was that believers would know God, draw principles from His Word, and apply them to their lives—doing their job because they know their role within the body of Christ.
When we are filled with the knowledge of God and properly apply it, we will walk worthy of the Lord, bear fruit for others, grow in maturity, be strengthened by His power, and endure with joy—no matter what circumstances we face.