Colossians 1:9-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross. (vv. 15-20) Sorry for copying such a long quotation, but the entire six-verse content is powerful and complete. Credit to my Study Bible for pointing out the “all things” items that I have highlighted in bold above. ALL THINGS!! All of these things, in Christ, all things!! It’s strange to me that Paul did not use Jesus’ name or his Christ title in these verses, referring only by “He” and “Him” pronouns to the “beloved Son” mentioned in verse 14.
…we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding… (v. 9) Credit again to my Study Bible for pointing out these three connected words. Knowledge of our Lord’s will for our lives comes first, but knowledge of His will without action on our part sounds like rebellion to me. So knowledge comes first, then (for me) understanding, then wisdom. I see “understanding” as something that is internal to myself, something that is now within my comprehension. But I see “wisdom” as an ability for me to somehow see inside God’s mind, into His heart – to know His ways for my life. I see “wisdom” as something that puts me at peace in a way that “understanding” does not. Maybe I’m way off. It’s something I’ve never thought of before.
Slava Bohu!
I am wondering, Fred. All three of these terms seem to focus on cognition, the mind. I believe that the heart and hands (action) also come to play in the latter two. Knowledge is cognition, understanding has the heart into it, and wisdom is how we live based on it, drawing nearer to God.