Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION

For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, and their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

Colossians 2:1-3

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

For I want you to know …

1. Paul wants his readers to perfectly know that he has a great conflict (struggle)
   1. For them – the Colossian Christians
   2. For those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen his face in the flesh
2. Paul’s great conflict concerns how he fervently labored for Colossians and Laodiceans
3. Paul works so hard in the course of the Gospel
   1. That the hearts of his readers may be encouraged
   2. That they may find their love getting knit together
   3. That they may attain
      1. To all the riches of the full assurance of understanding of Christ preached
      2. To the knowledge of the mystery of God revealed

In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

1. Why is only Christ preached (1:28) at all?
2. Because Christ alone is
   1. The embodiment of the mystery of God
   2. The revelation of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
3. This truth cannot be overemphasized in the context of Gnosticism

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. Let us work harder to help our members grow mature in Christ
2. Let us do all we can to acquire a better and fuller understanding of who Christ is

Prayerfully

Tomas Zatel