Context No. 3040 of 4322 · Colossians

Colossians 2:1-5: in context

1For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. 4Now I say this that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. 5For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Paul tells the Colossians how hard he struggles for them and for others he has never even met, longing that their hearts be encouraged, knit together in love, and brought to the full riches of assured understanding, so that they may know God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom, he says, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The heart of it is that line: in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Against teachers offering some higher, secret wisdom beyond Christ, Paul insists that everything worth knowing is found in Christ himself; there is no deeper treasure to hunt for elsewhere. To know Christ is to have access to all the wisdom of God. And this is Paul's safeguard against being deluded by smooth, persuasive arguments: hold fast to Christ, in whom the treasures already lie, and no plausible-sounding alternative can rob you of them.

Am I seeking wisdom and fulfillment in some "higher" thing beyond Christ, when all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him?

Sources

Colossians 2:3: "In whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden."
Colossians 2:4: "Now I say this that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech."
1 Corinthians 1:30: "Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification."