Sunday: The Wisdom and Knowledge of God
Daily Lesson for Sunday 1st of March 2026
Job asked, “Where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12, NKJV). Paul answers: in Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3, NKJV; compare 1 Corinthians 1:30). If we have Christ, we have everything, even the “full assurance of understanding” the purpose of life (Colossians 2:2, NKJV). Through Him the mystery of God, which embraces the entire plan of salvation, has been revealed.
Read Colossians 2:1-7. What is Paul’s purpose in writing this epistle?
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The Greek word paraklēthōsin means “encouraged” or “strengthened” (Colossians 2:2). Paul’s desire is not only to help the believers in Colossae recognize false teachings but also to “unite” (sumbibasthentes) them in Christian love. The tense used for both verbs—“encouraged” and “united”—indicates Paul’s confidence that this epistle will achieve its intended purpose.
He did, however, commend them for “your good order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ” (Colossians 2:5, NKJV).
The Greek term taxis, translated “order,” is used in the New Testament in reference to the priestly orders of Aaron (Luke 1:8, Hebrews 7:11) and Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6,10, NKJV; Hebrews 6:20, NKJV; Hebrews 7:11,17, NKJV), but Paul applies it to order in the church (1 Corinthians 14:40), including here. Sometimes there is a tendency to consider church order and organization as merely an ecclesiastical institution with no theological significance.
But by prescribing proper decorum in worship (see, for example, 1 Corinthians 11:1-34), and specifying how elders and deacons should be selected (1 Timothy 3:1-16, Titus 1:1-16), Paul was very careful to preserve order in the church. Through these measures, God’s wisdom and the teachings of the Bible are preserved and promulgated.
As a result of the correct teaching that the Colossians had received from Paul’s associates, they had “steadfastness” of faith. It cannot be shaken because it rests on a solid biblical foundation that, if adhered to, would help protect them from the errors being promoted by the false teachers.
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What has been your experience with the need for “order” in your own spiritual life? |
The expressions, “in Christ” and similar, are often used in Christian phraseology and unfortunately, much of it sounds like someone has used a Large Language Model writer to generate it. It is easy to connect up a few nice sounding verses for a Seventh-day Adventist readership and make it garner a few “amens”. The problem with that approach is that such sentiments do not make a lot of sense to anyone else.
Many years ago (pre 2000), I was involved in an “Integrated Faith and Learning” seminar for Adventist professional development. That is to say it is really the Adventist Education Departments equivalent of putting the idea of “In Christ” into educational practice. The participants were asked to write a paper on how they would bring Christ into their discipline area. At the time I was teaching COBOL which was quite popular back then. But the issue for me was that I could not see a way to bring anything spiritual into the teaching of something that was so technical. I had a discussion with The GC Education director who was running the seminar and he was not all that helpful either. Finally it dawned on me that the subject matter was not the important thing, It was a rather silly exercise to try and push Christianity into a 50 word vocabulary language designed to manipulate business numbers and databases. The epiphany, if you can call it that was that I had to live “In Christ” with my students. It was not the subject matter that was important; it was the way I taught! That meant being professional, well prepared, capable of listening to my students and teaching them how to solve problems. The critics who argued with me about my paper, said, “Isn’t that what any professor would do?” I responded that it was, but the motivation was different I was a professed Christian, living in Christ and together we were in partnership in the teaching business. And, I have to add that opportunities arose in that teaching experience to talk to students about choosing careers, managing tasks, developing professional relationships, and all the other things where “in Christ” is important.
Only yesterday, someone asked me “what is grace?” and I responded that definitions do not really do justice to it. It has to be experienced. It is the same with “In Christ”. If it is not a shareable experience, it is a dry definition.
It is clearly evident that human knowledge and understanding have increased exponentially in the world today. This is a reality in the areas of science, technology, medicine, and cosmology. This is likely the fulfilment of the prophesy in Daniel 12:4, “knowledge will increase”. As human knowledge and understanding proliferate, unfortunately, moral wisdom and understanding are moving in the opposite direction. People will , “always be learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). As new areas of human knowledge and understanding have emerged, so as the new human wickedness have also been crafted. Human depravity is beyond measure. In this scenario of great confusion and danger, Paul provides a sobering answer that true wisdom, knowledge and understanding are hidden in Christ Jesus. How is Christ the answer to true wisdom, knowledge and understanding?
No doubt human knowledge and understanding – science, technology, medicine, etc, can solve tons of human problems and misery, but cannot solve the greatest needs of the world today. For instance, there is so much food in the world today, and yet multitudes of people are dying from starvation. There is so much money spent on armaments, and yet terrible wars are raging in the world today. The current total global economic output is about $124 trillion USD and yet the World Bank reflect a poverty line of $3 USD per day. Too much global wealth and yet too much suffering. In all this gloom and doom scenario, Paul says that in Christ Jesus is hidden all treasures of true wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Christ is the answer to all world problems today. It is no wonder Jesus Himself made a very bold proclamation that I have come that the world may have life to its fullest (John 10:10).
Paul’s warning to the Colossians is worth considering. “I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.” (Colossians 2:4, NLT). Are we in the same danger? As Paul was warning the Colossians that Christ is all and all that they needed, let us equally be warned that Christ must be the center of our spiritual lives. Christ must never be dislodged by any kind of argument from the center of our spiritual lives. We must be rooted in Christ as the answer to all our human questionings. We should never compromise by listening to well crafted human reasoning.
Colossians 3:11 — “Christ is all, and in all.”
Love it brother.Keep it coming. Amen 🙏
Great comments.May God bless you brother Omwenga Mwambi
We are living in an age of overwhelming information. In just the past few decades, humanity has produced more data than in centuries before, and knowledge seems to double at an astonishing rate. We can know fascinating facts—such as that people in Iceland consume more Coca-Cola per capita than almost anywhere else, or that ketchup flows from a straight bottle at an average speed of about 25 miles per year—but this kind of knowledge does little to transform our spiritual lives. Information can describe the world, yet it cannot heal the human heart. Simply knowing more does not mean we are wiser, nor does it mean we have discovered the answers to our deepest needs.
Scripture reminds us that true understanding goes beyond facts. In Jeremiah 9:23–24, we read: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me.” God is not impressed by the accumulation of data; He desires a relationship. Likewise, Proverbs 9:10 teaches, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” True wisdom begins when we recognize our dependence on God, not when we master trivia or accumulate credentials.
In Daniel 2:21–22, we are told that God “gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things.” The “deep” things of God are hidden not because He is unwilling to share, but because they are beyond human reach without Him. We are finite; He is infinite. There are dimensions of His wisdom and riches we cannot discover through research or reason alone. Therefore, when we lack wisdom, Proverbs 2:6 assures us, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” In a world overflowing with information, our greatest need is not more data but deeper dependence on the One who reveals what is hidden.
Orderliness in our spiritual lives must be a given because the God we serve is a God of order. One may ask what does orderliness in spiritual life look like? It is the adherence to Godly principles as indicated by Paul in the books of Corithians, Timothy, and Titus.
What has been your experience with the need for “order” in your own spiritual life?
I start my day with my daily devotional at 5:00 am. It’s my appointment with God. This gives me the spiritual nourishment I need to continue growing in Christ. No matter how much I learn, there is always more to understand. I often think of myself as a Christian under construction because I am.
Sharing my thoughts in Sabbath school, on this platform, at work, with my family, peers, and reading comments on Sabbath school net, helps me develop a deeper understanding of Christ. There are times when I feel like I’m under spiritual attack, and that can make me doubt my faith. Staying consistent keeps me armed and protected from secular influences. I’m not perfect; I’m a believer.
Memorizing Bible scriptures is great, but understanding and following the Word is even more important. 1 Cor 30 highlights that salvation and holiness come solely from Christ, removing human boasting and giving all glory to the Lord’s Word.
The same is true for all of us who are in Christ. We are only where we are because of HIS grace and HIS mercy.
I would like to make a mention of the prescription of order mentioned in 1 corinthians 11.paul explicitly describes how order and decorum should be maintained in church.
would like your comments on this. esp the mention of women to cover their heads.how relevant is this practice?It happens to be cultural based.Back home in the southern parts of india-this practice is ritualistic.In the west -its not a common practice. please opine
When we get our hearts right the hats look after themselves. How many times have headcoverings come up in such discussions? In Biblical times people wore very different clothes to what we wear today, and the only take-away from Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians is, “Don’t make a scene with your clothing.”
As in any activity taken seriously, spiritual practice takes prayer, meditation, and study of the Word of God every day.
What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?
Knowledge is knowing about things. Wisdom is knowing when an how to use knowledge.
I know how a saw works. It cuts wood. But it takes wisdom, gained by experience to cut a piece of wood so that it can be useful and not just scrapwood.
I would like to expand a little on your definition. Yes, knowledge is knowing about things. Wisdom is the God given ability to take knowledge and use that knowledge to the glory of God.
Without Christ, life can feel scattered—like disconnected pieces that don’t quite fit together. But with Christ, the whole story makes sense: creation, the fall, redemption, and restoration all connect into one coherent picture.
What that means for us from a practical point of view? In a world full of competing ideas, spiritual trends, and claims of “higher knowledge,” we’re not lacking anything. We don’t need secret insight or some elite spiritual level. The deepest wisdom isn’t hidden in a system—it’s found in a Person.
In Christ, things that were hidden are now revealed. The biggest questions we wrestle with—Who is God? Why is there suffering? What is justice? What is love? Where is history headed?—all find their clearest answer in Him. He’s not just part of the solution. He’s the key that makes everything else make sense.
The books of the Bible written by Soloman have a lot of knowledge and wisdom from God. He obtained it from God. God gave it to Him because he asked for it, rather than asking to live longer.
Go to the ant and learn how to work. At least watch the worker ant. Look to the way of the bird, how he is delivered from the fowler. Proverbs 6:5-6. Also learn the way of righteousness from the Word of God and learn of His pleasure(to save you).
Proverbs 10:27-32,
Micah 6:8,
2 Corinthians 10:4-5,
Philippians 2:12-13,
1 Timothy 2:3-4,
and Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing page 142.1. What a blessing Sabbath School lessons are.
Here is where the Clear Word comes in handy. I had a hard time with this text until I read the Clear Word paraphrase.
2 Corinthians 10:4. The weapons we use in our fight for right are not the weapons of the world. Our weapons come from God, against whom nothing can stand. 2 Corinthians 10.5. We destroy all false arguments and every device used by men against the knowledge of God and capture every proud thought to bring it into obedience to Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians10:6. We are ready to discipline any act of disobedience among you to help you make your obedience complete(in Christ).
I believe our tool is the Bible, God’s Word, and our contributions if they speak according to the Word. The Clear Word also. You can get a hard copy from:
https://adventistbookcenter.com/
even the kids Clear Word is available.
Just a warning about the Clear Word. It is an expanded paraphrase (even more of a paraphrase than the Message or the Living Bible). Jack Blanco inserted a lot of his ideas along with ideas from Ellen White into that version.
I read it one year and enjoyed it. If you want to read it to appreciate the Bible anew, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. But I don’t think it’s wise to study with it unless you treat it as Jack Blanco’s commentary. That means it should be one of the last resources you refer to. Do the hard work and compare versions to each other. You will benefit more from that.
Christ is all and in all Colosians 3.11 This alone is powerful friends.
In Christ
“1 ¶ For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Warning of words contrary to the Scriptures.
4 ¶ And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
In Christ
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Warning again of teachings of men Paul warns us again them.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
In Christ
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 ¶ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Warning of those ordinances that are contrary to us and against us, those philosophies of men etc.
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
In Christ we are NOT to be concerned about those ordinances of men that are against us, to judge us in regards to the Written Word, how we keep the Sabbaths of God, in food or drink etc..
16 ¶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Paul continues to warns us the results of moving away from the word of God.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
In Christ we need not be concerned about those ordinances of men etc.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:1-23 AV)