In Colossians, the Apostle Paul displayed his passion for the Colossian church to have a correct understanding of knowledge. Though he was concerned about the Gnostic heresy that focused only on “interior, intuitive” knowledge, he didn’t swing to the opposite extreme of insisting only on propositional truth. Paul continued to emphasize the importance of relational knowledge that is founded in the correct guide, Jesus Christ.
Let’s take a brief look at how these principles of knowledge are displayed in Colossians 2:1-10.
Knowledge happens in relationship with wise guides.
We learn to interpret reality through the guidance of caring experts who teach us how to see. Trusting relationships are key to knowledge.
· Christ’s loving presence was the antidote to deception (vs. 8-10)
· Paul’s vicarious presence with the church will keep them from being deceived. (vs. 4-5)
· Paul’s influence, along with church member’s close relationships with each other, helped them attain true knowledge (vs. 1-3).
Embodying truth builds our trust.
Living out the instructions of our guides builds our faith in their wisdom. Living in obedience helps us verify the truth of God’s word.
· Continuing to walk in the truth strengthens us against deception (vs. 6-8)
· We are built up as we walk in obedience to his truth (vs. 7)
· True power comes from living out his knowledge claims (vs. 6-8)
Knowledge is more than propositional fact.
Dry truth claims are not all that knowledge entails. It also includes personal, experiential knowledge of Christ.
· In these verses, knowledge is preceded by close relationships and encouragement (vs. 2)
· Colossians 2:2 uses two different words for knowledge: the word understanding means “facts joined together for holistic understanding, i.e. synthesized reasoning that joins implicit (indirect) truths for comprehension. The second word, knowledge, means “ ‘contact-knowledge’ that is appropriate… to first-hand, experiential knowing.”
· Colossians 2:3 mentions two more types of knowledge: wisdom, which signifies “wisdom (properly, ‘clarity’)” and knowledge: “knowledge gained in (by) a direct relationship.”
· In the Bible, Jesus rebukes people for a type of “reasoning” that includes endless discussion back-and-forth thought (see Mark 2:8). Sometimes, reasoning and logic can be a form of doubt.
· Knowledge includes a deep, thoughtful synthesis of knowledge, experience, and logic which is guided by the Lord Jesus himself.
We don’t need to supersede our bodies or our minds in order to encounter the hidden, deeply personal knowledge of the Gnostics. Instead, we experience God’s truth in embodied, lived obedience. We encounter it in relationship with him and others. As we use all aspects of our true selves—mind, will, and emotions—in our quest for God’s truth, we will encounter a deep, experiential love for Him. We will encounter true wisdom.
"Living in and for Christ does not require compartmentalization or mental surgery, scapegoating or manipulating of people, ideas, histories, or identities. Living and for Christ is comprehensive, coherent, hopeful, and seamless, and reaches into eternity. If what I am writing here is new, please take my hand and feel the hand of the Savior beckoning you to reconciliation and peace in eternity with him. This is real. This is true. Nothing is more important than this.” -- Rosaria Butterfield