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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Colossians 2:2 - 2:2
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
May be comforted (paraklēthōsin). First aorist passive subjunctive of parakaleō (for which see note on 2Co 1:3-7) in final clause with hina.
Being knit together (sunbibasthentes). First aorist passive participle of sunbibazō, old verb, causal of bainō, to make go together, to coalesce in argument (Act 16:10), in spiritual growth (Col 2:19), in love as here. Love is the sundesmos (Col 3:14) that binds all together.
Unto all riches (eis pan ploutos). Probably some distinction intended between en (in love as the sphere) and eis (unto as the goal).
Of the full assurance of understanding (tēs plērophorias tēs suneseōs). On plērophoria, see note on 1Th 1:5. From plērophoreō (see note on Luk 1:1) and only in N.T. (1Th 1:5; Col 2:2; Heb 6:11; Heb 10:22), Clement of Rome (Cor. 42) and one papyrus example. Paul desires the full use of the intellect in grasping the great mystery of Christ and it calls for the full and balanced exercise of all one’s mental powers.
That they may know (eis epignōsin). “Unto full knowledge.” This use of epignōsis (full, additional knowledge) is Paul’s reply to the Gnostics with the limited and perverted gnōsis (knowledge).
The mystery of God, even Christ (tou mustēriou tou theou, Christou). The MSS. differ widely here, but this is Westcott and Hort’s reading. Genitive (objective) with epignōsin and Christou in apposition. Christ is “the mystery of God,” but no longer hidden, but manifested (Col 1:26) and meant for us to know to the fulness of our capacity.