Wisdom Wednesday: Wisdom Viewed as a Treasure
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“… Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col 2:2b–3 NASB)
The context of today’s verse is Paul’s touching expression of love for the believers at Laodicea whom he had not personally met. In the first two verses of chapter 2, he yearned they would be encouraged, and “knit together in love”. He also desired that they would become wealthy – obtaining the riches of complete assurance of Christ:
“… that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, (verse 2)
Paul wanted the Laodicean believers to have the “full assurance” or confidence in their faith. It was this kind of confidence that Paul demonstrated (I Thess. 1:5) and that the writer of the Hebrews also sought for believers (Heb. 6:11). Assured confidence comes from knowing or apprehending the truth that Jesus Christ is God’s Son. Wisdom is then the ability to apply that knowledge in life.
Both knowledge and wisdom are found in Christ—Who He is, what He taught, and the hope He provides – and this is the basis for reaching full confidence in our faith.
Paul extolled this when writing to the believers in Rome: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and unfathomable his ways! (Romans 11:33 NASB 95) He also explained to the believers at Corinth how these are given to the believer by the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:8).
This wisdom and knowledge is the power of God (I Cor. 1:30), and yet to those who in the world who do not believe, it appears to be foolishness (I Cor. 1:21–25).
Respected theologian Norman Geisler summarized the distinction this way: “Knowledge is the apprehension of truth; wisdom is its application to life. Knowledge is prudent judgment and wisdom is prudent action.” [Cited from Norman L. Geisler, “Colossians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), page 676.]
The Lord desires we become wealthy – in the riches found in Godly wisdom and knowledge which is found in Christ.
Beautiful wisdom. God is so good!