Every Believer Is Uber-Rich (Colossians 2:1-5).Wednesday November 4, 2026
Intro:
Joh 16:1 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.” [ESV]
Main verb: “I want” - to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf – is Paul’s way of “to keep you from falling away.”
Col 2:1-3 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Vs. 2 “That” (hina) purpose: 4 things: hearts strengthened, knit together in love, [entering into: eis] all the wealth that comes from the full assurance through understanding, [entering into: eis] a true knowledge of God’s mystery, [that is] Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
All the riches of the fullness / assurance through understanding.
We need to first define terms.
Ploutos: plentiful supply of something, a wealth, abundance.
Wealth of: liberality (2Co 8:2); riches of God’s glory (Rom 9:23; Eph 1:18; Eph 3:16; Col 1:27); riches of God’s grace (Eph 1:7; Eph 2:7); riches of God’s goodness (Rom 2:7); riches of Christ (Eph 3:8; Rev 5:2); Moses [like Paul] considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt (Heb 11:26).
Here: abundance = fullness or full assurance from understanding Christ.
Plerophorias: fullness or full assurance.
Fullness or full assurance = they are both true.
To understand Christ fully because He is exclusive (all wisdom and understanding), and true understanding brings assurance (1Th 1:5; Heb 10:22).
Heb 10:19-22 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.
“understanding” (sunesis) - The faculty of comprehension, intelligence, acuteness, shrewdness. Literally: to put together. It is connecting and comprehending.
Application: Christ came into the world to show true riches as full assurance of truths from God, illuminated by Christ about life (salvation), truth, eternity.
He entered the world of men who grasped and lusted for other riches.
Epignosis of God’s mystery, Christ.
Epignosis: "exact or full knowledge, discernment, recognition," and is a strengthened form of gnosis (Col 2:3) expressing a fuller or a full "knowledge," a greater participation by the "knower" in the object "known," thus more powerfully influencing him.
Gnosis in Christ becomes epignosis in you when by faith, under the influence / filling of the Holy Spirit, you come to understand it and apply it to yourself.
Mystery: once unknown and now revealed to anyone not wearing a veil.
The false teachers appear to have offered a superior or secret gnosis (visions – gift of knowledge from gods or angels).
“All” the treasures of knowledge are in Christ – nothing is missing.
These riches are easy to overlook.
A world of competing claims (wealth and treasure).
Preunderstanding of the unbeliever (materialism).
Danger to current congregation: temptations to wealth and treasure not Christ.
A world of idols: Inner – power, comfort, control, recognition. Outer (feed the inner) – wealth, success, stimulants …
Ploutos: earthly goods - Bible reveals as dangerous and fleeting, not sinful to have, but is a pathway to sin.
1Ti 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
Mat 13:22 “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”
Colossian heresy: falsehood that seeks recognition painted in religious colors.
Treasure in Mat 13:44 - it is hidden and must be found.
The obstacle is faith in Christ, the veil that lies over the face of the unbeliever.
2Co 3:15-16 a veil lies over their heart; 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Conclusion: Are you rich?
Paul wants you to know his great struggle so that you will know how rich you are in Christ.
Eph 1:18-19 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. [with riches comes power]
You can train your eyes to see how wealthy you really are in Him. Word - study. Prayer. Obedience will bring understanding.
Epignosis: gather the knowledge of Christ which has been gifted to you and consider it, believe it, study it to your own understanding and it becomes a part of you - your heart (Mat 12:33-35).
Understanding is the name of the good soil - much fruit. Therefore, epignosis of the mystery makes the heart good.
What joy will be your life when you fully know that you are rich beyond imagination in the only commodity that abundance matters - wisdom and knowledge of Christ. |