in whomThis phrase refers to Christ, emphasizing His centrality in the Christian faith. The context of Colossians highlights the supremacy of Christ over all creation and spiritual powers. The phrase underscores the belief that all divine wisdom and knowledge are found in Him, countering the Gnostic idea that such treasures were accessible through secret knowledge or intermediaries.
are hidden
The term "hidden" suggests that these treasures are not immediately apparent to the world but are revealed through a relationship with Christ. This aligns with the biblical theme of mystery, where God's truths are concealed from the wise of the world but revealed to those who seek Him (Matthew 11:25). It also reflects the idea that spiritual understanding requires divine revelation.
all the treasures
The use of "all" indicates the completeness and sufficiency of what is found in Christ. This counters any teaching that suggests additional sources of spiritual insight are necessary. The imagery of "treasures" conveys immense value and richness, suggesting that what is found in Christ is of the highest worth.
of wisdom and knowledge
Wisdom and knowledge are often paired in Scripture, with wisdom being the practical application of knowledge. In the Old Testament, wisdom is personified and highly valued (Proverbs 8). In the New Testament, Christ is seen as the embodiment of divine wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24). This phrase asserts that true understanding of God and His purposes is found in Christ, contrasting with human philosophies and traditions that were prevalent in the Colossian context.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Colossians, Paul is writing to the church in Colossae to address false teachings and to affirm the supremacy of Christ.
2.
ColossaeAn ancient city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where the church to whom Paul is writing is located. It was a small city but significant enough to receive this epistle.
3.
ChristThe central figure in this verse, in whom all wisdom and knowledge are hidden. Paul emphasizes Christ's divine nature and sufficiency.
Teaching Points
Christ as the Source of True WisdomIn a world filled with competing philosophies and ideas, believers are reminded that true wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ alone. This calls for a focus on deepening our relationship with Him.
The Hidden Treasures of WisdomThe term "hidden" suggests that wisdom and knowledge in Christ are not immediately apparent to the world. Believers are encouraged to seek and uncover these treasures through prayer, study, and meditation on God's Word.
Guarding Against False TeachingsPaul’s emphasis on Christ as the repository of wisdom and knowledge serves as a warning against false teachings that may appear wise but are devoid of truth. Christians are called to discernment and to measure all teachings against the truth of Christ.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in revealing the wisdom and knowledge found in Christ. Believers should rely on the Spirit for understanding and guidance in their spiritual journey.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Colossians 2:3?
2.How does Colossians 2:3 emphasize Christ as the source of true wisdom?
3.What practical steps can we take to seek wisdom "hidden in Christ"?
4.How does Proverbs 2:6 relate to Colossians 2:3's message on wisdom?
5.Why is understanding Christ's wisdom crucial for discerning false teachings today?
6.How can we apply the wisdom "hidden in Christ" in daily decision-making?
7.What does Colossians 2:3 mean by "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" in Christ?
8.How does Colossians 2:3 challenge the pursuit of secular wisdom and knowledge?
9.Why is Christ described as the source of all wisdom in Colossians 2:3?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Colossians 2?
11.What does the Bible say about knowledge?
12.What does scientism mean?
13.What does "More Precious Than Rubies" mean?
14.What does the Bible say about Christian homeschooling?What Does Colossians 2:3 Mean
In whom- “Whom” points unmistakably to Jesus Christ, the One Paul has just called “the mystery…Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
- Scripture insists that every divine fullness abides in Christ: “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him” (Colossians 1:19).
- John echoes the same truth: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us…full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
- Because Christ Himself lives in believers (Galatians 2:20;2 Corinthians 4:6), access to God’s riches is personal and immediate, not distant or abstract.
Are hidden- “Hidden” does not mean concealed forever; it means stored up, secured, and safeguarded until sought in Christ.
•Proverbs 2:4-5 pictures wisdom as treasure to be searched out, but verse 6 anchors it in the Lord who “gives wisdom.”
• Jesus thanked the Father for hiding these things from the proud yet revealing them to the humble (Matthew 11:25-27).
• Paul speaks of “the mystery that was hidden for ages” now revealed in the gospel (Ephesians 3:9).
- The treasure is not in plain view of the self-reliant; it is unveiled to those who draw near to Christ in faith (Hebrews 11:6).
All the treasures- Nothing is missing. “All” means the whole storehouse—no supplemental source is needed.
•Romans 11:33 exclaims, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” Christ is that depth incarnate.
•Ephesians 1:7-8 says we have “the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
•2 Peter 1:3 confirms we have been given “everything we need for life and godliness.”
- We dishonor Christ when we search elsewhere for ultimate answers; every spiritual resource resides already in Him (Colossians 2:9-10).
Of wisdom and knowledge- Knowledge is the true understanding of facts; wisdom is the God-given skill to apply them rightly. Both are bundled together in Christ.
•Proverbs 1:7 starts with “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,” and Christ perfectly embodies that reverence.
•1 Corinthians 1:24 calls Christ “the power of God and the wisdom of God,” while verse 30 says He “became for us wisdom from God.”
•James 1:5 invites believers to ask God for wisdom, andJames 3:17 describes it as “pure, peace-loving, gentle,” qualities seen in Jesus.
- Because these treasures are in Him, drawing near to Christ through His Word unlocks both accurate understanding and Spirit-led living.
summaryColossians 2:3 proclaims that Jesus Christ is the exclusive vault in which every treasure of God’s wisdom and knowledge is stored. These riches are securely kept in Him yet freely available to all who trust Him. Nothing essential lies outside His person; all that believers need for understanding, decision-making, and godly living is found by abiding in Christ and His Word.
(3)
In whom are hid all the treasures.--The order of the original is curious: "in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, as hidden treasures." The word "hidden" (
apocryphi) is an almost technical word for secret teaching given only to the initiated; used originally as a term of honour (as the participle of the kindred verb is used in
1Corinthians 2:7-8, "the wisdom of God in mystery, even the hidden wisdom . . . which none of the princes of this world knew"), afterwards, from the character of these "apocryphal" books, coming to signify spurious and heretical. St. Paul evidently takes up here a word, used by the pretenders to a special and abstruse knowledge, and applies it to the "heavenly things" which He alone knows "who is in heaven" (
John 3:12-13). From our full comprehension they are hidden; if ever we know them, it will not be till "we know even as we are known." But the previous words show that we can have full practical apprehension of them by our knowledge of Christ, who knows them--a knowledge begun in faith, and perfected chiefly in love.
Wisdom and knowledge.--Comp.Romans 11:33 and1Corinthians 12:8 ("the word of wisdom" . . . "the word of knowledge"). On the true sense of "wisdom" and its relation to other less perfect gifts, as "prudence," "intelligence," "knowledge," see Note onEphesians 1:8. "Knowledge" is clearly the development of wisdom in spiritual perception, as "intelligence" in testing and harmonising such perception, and "prudence" in making them, so tested, the guide of life. The word "knowledge" (gnosis) was the word which, certainly afterwards, probably even then, was the watchword of "Gnosticism"--the unbridled and fantastic spirit of metaphysical and religious speculation then beginning to infest all Christian thought. It can hardly be accidental that St. Paul here, as elsewhere, subordinates it to the higher gift of wisdom. . . .
Verse 3. -
In whom (or,
which)
are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden(ly) (
Ephesians 1:8, 9;
Ephesians 3:8;
Romans 11:33;
1 Corinthians 1:5, 6, 30;
1 Corinthians 2:7;
2 Corinthians 4:3). Bengel, Meyer, Alford, and others make the relative pronoun neuter, referring to "mystery;" but "Christ," the nearer antecedent, is preferable (vers. 9, 10;
Colossians 1:16, 17, 19).
Inhim the apostle finds what false teachers sought elsewhere, a satisfaction for the intellect as well as for the heart -
treasures of wisdom and knowledge to enrich the understanding, and unsearchable mysteries to exercise the speculative reason. "Hidden" is, therefore, a secondary predicate: in whom are these treasures, - as hidden treasures" (Ellicott, Lightfoot). (For a similar emphasis of position, compare "made complete," ver. 10, and "seated,"
Colossians 3:1.) Meyer and Alford, with the Vulgate, make "hidden" an attributive: "in whom are hidden treasures." Chrysostom and leading versions make it primary predicate: "in whom are hidden," etc., against the order of the words. This word also belongs to the dialect of the mystic theosophists (see note,
Colossians 1:27: comp.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16;
Isaiah 45:3;
Proverbs 2:1-11). (On "wisdom," see note,
Colossians 1:9.)
Knowledge (
γνῶσις, not
ἐπίγνωσις, ver. 2;
Colossians 1:9;
Colossians 3:10; for this phrase is more comprehensive) is the more objective and purely intellectual side of wisdom (comp.
Romans 11:33).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.whomᾧ(hō)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.areεἰσιν(eisin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.hiddenἀπόκρυφοι(apokryphoi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 614:Hidden away, secret, stored up. From apokrupto; secret; by implication, treasured.allπάντες(pantes)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.theοἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.treasuresθησαυροὶ(thēsauroi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2344:A store-house for precious things; hence: a treasure, a store. From tithemi; a deposit, i.e. Wealth.of wisdomσοφίας(sophias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4678:Wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence. From sophos; wisdom.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.knowledge.γνώσεως(gnōseōs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1108:Knowledge, doctrine, wisdom. From ginosko; knowing, i.e. knowledge.
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NT Letters: Colossians 2:3 In whom are all the treasures (Coloss. Col Co) 
