Colossians 1:9

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Colossian church, reporting that hearing of their faith, hope, and love in the Spirit (vv. 4–8) has produced an unbroken prayer for them.

The words — Διὰ τοῦτο (dia touto, "because of this") is the causal hinge binding the prayer to what preceded; ἠκοὺσαμεν (ēkousamen, "we heard") is aorist, fixing the start of an ongoing action to a single moment of hearing.

The thread — Philippians 1:9 is the nearest parallel, Paul praying that love abound "in knowledge and depth of insight." James 1:5 supplies the underlying principle: wisdom is asked of God, who gives generously.

Why it lands — The verse makes "knowledge of God's will" a gift God fills, not a quality the believer produces, and it ties sustained prayer to concrete knowledge of the other person's faith.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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;

Cross-references

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Ephesians 1:15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
Colossians 4:5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Hebrews 13:21 equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 2:15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith,
Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.