How the Incomprehensible Becomes Understanding. (Colossians 1:9)

Class Outline:

Thursday July 23, 2026

 

COL 1:9-10

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects

 

Wisdom of God: 

 

Incomprehensible to mankind because the wisdom of God cannot be deduced by man. They can only be had by faith. 

 

Some of God’s wisdom is simple enough to be observed: 

 

PRO 25:9

Like clouds and wind without rain

Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely. 

 

PRO 25:27

It is not good to eat much honey,

Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. 

 

The greatest wisdom: the way of salvation - the cross. 

 

But this wisdom most of all, the natural minded man cannot fathom. 

 

The cross is the ultimate test of a person being gifted by wisdom.

 

1CO 2:6-8

Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

 

1CO 2:14

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

 

And so, the cross being the ultimate wisdom of God, we should not be surprised that it is the key to all the wisdom of God. 

 

1CO 2:9-10

but just as it is written,

"Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, 

And which have not entered the heart of man,

All that God has prepared for those who love Him." 

10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

 

This is Paul’s plan. Reminding the Colossians of true wisdom (the Cross) that was unfathomable to the natural mind and to the false teachers. 

 

1CO 1:18

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

 

1CO 1:23-24 

but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 

 

[transition] If Christ is the wisdom of God, how does that truth relate to all other wisdom from God? 

 

The Wisdom of the Cross is the key to all wisdom. 

 

We need wisdom about wisdom - God has given us truth for every situation, all of which have some relation to Christ and His Cross.

 

In searching for wisdom, very often people will think of problems that need solutions.

 

The solutions are foundational truths and when anyone puts their faith in them, they have the wisdom of God.

 

Understanding:

 

Definition: Sunesis: the faculty of comprehension, intelligence, acuteness, shrewdness. 

 

Understanding: ability to apply the first principles of Scripture to all of life’s situations.

 

Paul calls this virtue pure wealth. 

 

COL 2:2

all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding

 

You know just what to do in every situation. 

 

People are different, situations are different. This is the obedience to wisdom in applying it rightly to any situation. 

 

Understanding does not always come easy. 

 

PRO 21:25

The desire of the sluggard puts him to death,

For his hands refuse to work; 

 

The ease seeking person says, “Oh they would not have responded anyway,” when they put no time and effort into discovering what wisdom is needed for their neighbor: 

 

PRO 26:16

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes

Than seven men who can give a discreet answer. 

 

Throw yourself into the life of Christ and love the challenges.

 

PRO 26:4-5

Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

Or you will also be like him. 

5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves,

That he not be wise in his own eyes. 

 

Is this a contradiction? 

 

The wisdom of God says that there are at least two ways to answer a fool, implying that He wants us to use His wisdom in the realm of understanding - how do I apply wisdom to particular situations that only I face? 

 

For everyone and everything I must apply wisdom properly to the situation or person (rich, poor, authority, subordinate, male, female, believer, unbeliever). 

 

COL 4:5

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

 

The wisdom of God and the understanding of God are both by the Holy Spirit. You have divine help.

 

Conclusion: 

 

Wisdom and understanding go together almost 50 times in the Bible, beginning with Bezalel the head craftsman of the Tabernacle (EXO 31:3).

 

Wisdom is ours by faith in God’s revealed word.

 

We can have wisdom and have no practical experience with our wisdom.

 

We must actively pursue the application of wisdom to every situation. It takes investment of time and energy in others: 

 

HEB 10:24

 let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds

 

1CO 13:4-5

 Love … does not seek its own

 

It demands prayer: 

 

MAT 7:7

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

 

Jesus Christ did not skip these steps.

 

LUK 2:47, 52

And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding [sunesis] and His answers

… And Jesus kept increasing [pleroo, passive] in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

 

Because He did so as a young man, He was filled with the knowledge of God’s will for His life and He walked in a manner worthy of His calling, pleasing the Father.