Colossians 1:9 Meaning and Explanation
“For 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;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul prays without ceasing for people he has never met, asking that they be filled with the deep knowledge of God's will.
The Context of Colossians 1:9
Hearing the good report of the Colossians' faith and love, Paul tells them what he has been praying ever since. This verse begins one of his great prayers, lifted up for a church he knew only by reputation.
What Does Colossians 1:9 Mean?
The moment Paul heard about the Colossians, he started praying for them and never stopped. His prayer is striking for what it does not ask. He does not first ask for their comfort or success; he asks that they be "filled with the knowledge of his will." This is not cold information but a deep, working knowledge of what God is like and what God wants, paired with the wisdom and spiritual understanding to live it out. He wants them full, with no empty corners.
To know God's will is finally to know God Himself, and God has made Himself known in Jesus. Paul prays that they would be filled with the very wisdom that Christ brings, so that knowing turns into wise and faithful living. It is a generous prayer, persistent and hopeful, and it shows how much one believer can long for the spiritual depth of others. We are welcome to pray it for the people we love, and to receive it ourselves.
Colossians 1:9 in the Original Language
epignosis (ἐπίγνωσις), 'knowledge' -- a full, deep, personal knowing, more than information.
How to Apply Colossians 1:9 Today
Paul shows us a way to pray for those we love: that they would be filled with a deep, living knowledge of God and the wisdom to walk in it. We can pray this faithfully for others, and welcome it for ourselves, trusting that to know God's will is to know God more truly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colossians 1:9
What does Colossians 1:9 mean?
Paul prays without ceasing for people he has never met, asking that they be filled with the deep knowledge of God's will.
What is the context of Colossians 1:9?
Hearing the good report of the Colossians' faith and love, Paul tells them what he has been praying ever since. This verse begins one of his great prayers, lifted up for a church he knew only by reputation.
How can I apply Colossians 1:9 today?
Paul shows us a way to pray for those we love: that they would be filled with a deep, living knowledge of God and the wisdom to walk in it. We can pray this faithfully for others, and welcome it for ourselves, trusting that to know God's will is to know God more truly.