Colossians 1:9
What does Colossians 1:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Colossians 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Colossians 1:9 means
“For this cause,” Paul has not ceased to pray that they be “filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” He seeks more than information; he asks for Spirit-wrought discernment that grasps God’s purposes in Christ and applies them to life. To be filled with God’s will is to be guided by His revealed truth, centered in the gospel. Wisdom and understanding guard believers from deception and equip them to live worthily. Paul’s persistence in prayer shows dependence on God for growth. The emphasis on spiritual knowledge anticipates challenges from speculative philosophies; true insight comes from God’s Spirit, not from human tradition detached from Christ.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
KJV
King James Version · 1611For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this reason, we, from the day when we had word of it, keep on in prayer for you, that you may be full of the knowledge of his purpose, with all wisdom and experience of the Spirit,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Because of this, we also, from the day in which we heard, do not cease praying for you, and asking that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore we also, from the day that we heard it, cease not to pray for you and to beg that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For this reason we also, from the day we heard [of your faith and love], do not cease praying and asking for you, to the end that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
Context
Having thanked God for the Colossians’ faith and love (verses 3–8), Paul turns to continual prayer for their growth (verses 9–12). Verse 9 introduces the core request—knowledge of God’s will with spiritual wisdom—which verses 10–12 unpack in terms of conduct, fruitfulness, strength, endurance, joy, and gratitude. This prayer sets the platform for the grand Christ-hymn (verses 15–20), because knowing God’s will centers on knowing Christ’s supremacy and saving work.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philemon 1:4
I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,
- 1 Peter 2:15
For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
- Hebrews 10:36
For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.
- James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.
- Acts 12:5
Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.
- Psalms 143:10
Teach me to do thy will; For thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; Lead me in the land of uprightness.
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