In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden and stored in Christ, in whom they dwell and are found. He is the divine storehouse and fountain of all light, holding its keys and made to believers wisdom and righteousness and redemption, supplying every need of the soul for this life and the life to come. They are not to be sought in human philosophy and vain deceit, in tradition and speculation, or in men put in God's place, for human wisdom apart from him is broken and delusive. He is the source and aim of true education and the greatest Teacher, so the hidden riches are found by coming to him in faith, searching the Scriptures with humble prayer, and beholding his glory until the character is changed into his likeness. For every treasure is in God, infinite and inexhaustible, an ocean believers have seen only in glimmerings and may learn through eternity without exhausting.
Meaning of the Words
All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden, found and stored in Christ, in whom they dwell as the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. He is the sure source of truth and true education rather than human maxims and suppositions, and every true flash of thought and intellect reflects light coming from him as the Light of the world. Believers whose hearts are knit together in love reach all riches of the full assurance of understanding and acknowledgment of that mystery by holding to him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith as taught, abounding with thanksgiving. In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and believers are complete in him who is the head of all principality and power, guarded against being beguiled by enticing words and spoiled through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men and the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. The chapter is a treasure house of encouragement to receive the rich, full, abundant and assuring promises of God in Christ and to learn what Christ is to believers and what they may be to him as his helping hand. Turning from Christ to humanity and looking to man for help and guidance leaves no power, for power and salvation are seen when Jesus is appreciated, while treating the Saviour indifferently and closing the door against the divine Helper leaves no power.
Every treasure of wisdom and knowledge is also in God, who is infinite and inexhaustible in wisdom, goodness and power. Created beings can never attain to a full understanding of God and his works, for if they could reach that limit there would be for them no further discovery of truth, no growth in knowledge and no further development of mind or heart, God would no longer be supreme, and men would cease to advance. Because it is not so, men to all eternity may be ever searching and ever learning and yet never exhaust the treasures of his wisdom, his goodness and his power. The God of grace who holds all wisdom and knowledge is to be reverenced, and learning his deep things increases love for the Holy Scriptures. The treasures of knowledge are with the Most High, and each person must learn to look to him for them, for even the loftiest subjects and deepest things of God can be set forth in chaste, simple, easily understood language that brings greater confidence in and love for the Scriptures, greater sympathy with Christ in his work of redemption, and greater reverence for God himself.
Hid means concealed and stored, hidden beneath the veil of his humanity and deep humiliation, in whom all fullness dwells and whose abundant knowledge encompasses every treasure of wisdom. The treasures were hidden for ages and hidden from eternal ages in the Father and the Son, and human intelligence alone cannot grasp the revelations of the Word, so in the last days a large and increasing faith established by divine knowledge and wisdom is needed. They are hidden from those who are wise in their own estimation and puffed up by the teaching of vain philosophy, who do not perceive the beauty and power and mystery of the plan of redemption, though they have eyes and ears and intellect they see not and hear not and discern not the hidden treasure. Wisdom must not be sought from any human source or from those who have not learned the wisdom of God, but received by coming in faith to Christ himself, with grace making possible a close union between the receiver and the Giver, and with God revealing the truths of his Word by his Spirit. Those treasures hidden for ages are now brought forth to enrich the lost and open to the world, for in Christ God places every divine resource at humanity's disposal so people may be recreated in his image, forgiven, saved and made co-workers with God.
Christ is the greatest Author and the greatest Teacher the world has ever known, the great fountain-head from whom all wisdom flows, who never makes a mistake. The priceless treasure hid in him is found only by rising above the things of this world with affections and all capabilities consecrated to the search, for the things that are seen eclipse the glory of the unseen and man's wisdom is thought higher than the wisdom of the divine Teacher, so that God's lesson book is despised as old-fashioned, tame and stale. Those vivified by the Holy Spirit see the priceless treasure and will sell all to buy the field that contains it, for he gave his life, and by his death and resurrection gives everlasting life. All means every treasure, an inexhaustible storehouse and ocean of love in the God of salvation placed in the hands of Christ from the heavenly resources, too deep to be exhausted, given to convince fallen, sinful man of God's love, that there is no love in the universe but his, and God is working and will work for man's happiness, whose happiness is to know God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. Believers have yet seen only glimmerings of those glories and have only touched the surface of the mine, while rich golden ore lies beneath to reward toilsome digging, so the shaft must be sunk deeper and still deeper until it yields glorious treasure, and those who walk in companionship with him will do his works and must not stop as if no more knowledge remains to gain. His life and saving work — including his miracles, self-denial, suffering, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension — are gospel themes that awaken love and faith, and seeking this experience enriches life.
Setting in Colossians
Paul's desire is for comforted hearts knit together in love unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding and acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. That mystery to be acknowledged is Christ himself with the Father, and holding to him is how believers reach that full assurance. The connection is between receivers and Giver, with hearts united and not estranged from one another, and with inward assurance in understanding testifying of the mystery of godliness of the Father and of Christ, who are their efficiency for good. Disregarding the scriptural commands to unity and love breaks God's law as truly as breaking the fourth commandment. The claim that the Word holds dark, mysterious, incomprehensible things hard to be understood is false, for rightly studied it is made plain and intensely interesting.
The setting is a warning lest anyone beguile believers with enticing words. No one is to spoil them through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men and after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. The danger comes through teachers who fill minds with human maxims and suppositions and force strange meanings on the Word. Abiding in Christ guards against persuasive words and teachings that distort God's Word and draw away from the gospel.
The reason for that safety is that in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Believers are complete in him who is the head of all principality and power. Looking constantly to Jesus as the risen and ascended Saviour, instead of striving for supremacy as the world does, leads onward in faith. Perfection of Christian character and completeness are found only in him.
Having received Christ Jesus the Lord, believers walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith as they were taught, abounding with thanksgiving. That rooted walk gives full assurance and guards against teachings that are not according to Christ. Wisdom must therefore be sought from Christ by coming to him in faith and learning in his school, not from people who have never sought wisdom from him.
Christ the Treasure House
In Him are the Father's glory and the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily, with God's attributes expressed in His character and His righteousness perfect and without stain. His abundant knowledge encompasses every treasure of wisdom because all fullness dwells in Him, yet concealed beneath the veil of His humanity and deep humiliation. Studying Christ and looking constantly to Him and keeping Him ever in view leads onward in faith and, through the Holy Spirit, transforms believers into His image from glory to glory. Pressing close to His side and holding communion with Him changes heart and life, engraves His words on the soul, and forms Christlike character, which alone is true religious life.
He is the Creator and the risen and ascended Saviour, the Alpha and Omega. He is the promised Messiah and the light of the world, and the sure guide for the young, so that to know Him rightly is the highest knowledge bringing life and peace. He is the truth who frees people from sin's control and restores true freedom. He embodies the truths He teaches, and His character reveals them, and every true insight and flash of human intellect reflects His light because He is the source of all genuine wisdom and true higher education.
He is the fountain, stream, doorway and divine storehouse of all light, holding the keys of wisdom and knowledge to unlock the treasure house for man. He never makes a mistake, and He is made to believers wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, with heaven's treasures and all heavenly resources placed in His hands and entrusted to Him to give to those who persistently seek truth. He came to reveal the Father's character so men could worship in spirit and in truth and to sow the world with truth, and every phase of truth was evident to Him as the light of every person, so that He could have opened doors to science and revealed undiscovered stores of knowledge had it been essential to salvation. These treasures come from Christ and nourish those who depend on God, as Joseph's goodness, righteousness, compassion and virtue came from God and reflected the mind of Christ rather than from himself. The wisdom of this storehouse is received by asking God, who gives liberally without reproach, but the asking must be in unwavering faith, and those who seek truth in Him receive His Spirit and are changed to His image, finding in Him joy and peace and power and satisfaction. He is the fountain of all knowledge and the God of all genuine science, dwelling in God's presence and one with the Father, and He Himself is the science of salvation teaching living and eternal principles.
He supplies all that can satisfy the needs and longings of the human soul in this life and the life to come, so that in comparison with Him all else may be counted loss. Following on to know the Lord broadens views beyond being bound about by self and enlarges understanding to grasp that Jesus Christ is substitute and surety and that believers belong to Christ as His purchased possession, bought with a price, and therefore must glorify God in body and spirit which are God's. He gave Himself to save the fallen world, and no greater gift can be given, so that neglecting salvation is neglecting the knowledge of the Father and the Son and rejecting the life purchased at infinite cost, while receiving salvation joins humanity with divinity and makes people partakers of the divine nature and heirs with Christ. He is the divine storehouse of all light and the only one who can prepare people to enter the holy city.
Guard Against False Wisdom
The treasures are not found in human maxims and suppositions, in speculative ideas, in human traditions, or in philosophy and vain deceit that forces strange meanings on the Word. Knowing Christ gives full assurance of understanding and acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ, and keeps believers rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as taught and abounding with thanksgiving, so they are not beguiled by enticing words or spoiled through teachings after the tradition of men and the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. The gospel treasure, the beauty and power and mystery of the plan of redemption, remains hidden from those wise in their own estimation and puffed up by vain philosophy, who though having eyes and ears and intellect see not and hear not and discern not.
Wisdom must not be sought by putting ministers in God's place, by depending on human leaders as mediators, by depending on the changeable world, by learning from those who never sought wisdom from Christ, or by gathering it from so-called great men who lack perception that God's commandments demand obedience. Turning from Christ to humanity and looking to man for help and guidance leaves no power, while power and salvation are seen when Jesus is appreciated and mind and heart are fixed on Him, talking of His love and power until perplexities pass away. Confidence rests in Him rather than in the changing world because all the treasures are hidden in Him and found only in the riches of the wisdom of God, not from any human source, and in the last days a large and increasing faith established by that divine knowledge is needed since human intelligence alone cannot grasp revelations hidden for ages. By grace in Christ close union between receiver and Giver is possible for those who come in faith to learn in His school, and those to whom God reveals truth by His Spirit gain understanding of the mystery of godliness hidden from eternal ages in the Father and the Son.
Human wisdom apart from Christ is like draughts from broken cisterns that can hold no heavenly water, and claims and teachings not grounded in His truth are human guesswork and may be delusions however learned or widely accepted they are. His wisdom is displayed in the plan of salvation to restore fallen humanity and to shape and elevate human character, and man's wisdom is thought higher than the wisdom of the divine Teacher so that God's lesson book is despised as old-fashioned, tame and stale, while those vivified by the Holy Spirit see the priceless treasure and will sell all to buy the field that contains it. To receive the excellency of knowing Christ, people must lay their own reasoning and knowledge and pride beneath the cross, surrender their own righteousness, rise above the things of this world with affections and capabilities consecrated to the search, and submit intellect to the molding of the Holy Spirit to receive wisdom from above, sanctified perception, the righteousness of Christ, and oneness with the Father.
The verse does not mean His mission was to display every possible scientific discovery or to open doors to science and reveal undiscovered stores of knowledge, for such knowledge could have fed unholy ambition rather than fulfilled His purpose to reveal the Father's character, sow the world with truth, and make men worship in spirit and in truth. He Himself is the science of salvation, the fountain of all knowledge and the God of all genuine science holding a higher knowledge with which human discoveries bear no comparison, who dwelt in God's presence as one with the Father and taught living and eternal principles without mingling topics of human science in His instructions. Lower knowledge gained by ordinary means according to capabilities entrusted to man has a measurable value but is not essential for the recovery of man, while the way of life and immortality could only be made known through Jesus Christ, and this knowledge is salvation to all who accept it and must be had by all or they will perish.
True Education and Study
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge reveals Christ, the Infinite One, as both the source and the aim of true education. True higher education is rightly understood by looking to Him, not by accepting the world's interpretation apart from the truths of God's Word. The wisdom and insight of human teachers are not independent sources of truth; wherever their teaching is true, it only reflects the light that comes from Him. Every true flash of thought and intellect comes from the Light of the world. Intellect itself is supreme only as it is sanctified by a living connection with God.
He is the greatest Teacher the world has ever known, who spoke as never man spoke. He poured out to men the whole treasure of heaven in wisdom and knowledge, bringing heavenly things and setting eternity before multitudes absorbed in outward ceremony. He gave wisdom in language so simple that none need fail to understand, and by methods peculiarly His own He helped all in sorrow and affliction, ministering with tender, courteous grace to the sin-sick soul to bring healing and strength. He never uttered uncertain sentiments and opinions, but spoke words of eternal life, truth established upon eternal principles that needs no revising. Claims and teachings not grounded in His truth are human guesswork and may be delusions, however learned or widely accepted they are. His simple words carried God's authority, and He as the great fountain-head from whom all wisdom flows never makes a mistake.
The hidden riches are found only by rising above the things of this world with affections and all capabilities consecrated to the search. Finding them requires diligent, humble Bible study and earnest prayer rather than relying on human ideas, with help under the guidance of holy intelligences giving clear understanding of truth. It requires diligent, deep searching of Scripture rather than relying on surface ideas or taking others' words for truth, with careful comparison of Scripture with Scripture to uncover errors and reveal precious truth. The claim that the Word holds dark, incomprehensible things is false; plain and simple truth dug out from beneath the rubbish of tradition shines forth like jewels, and searching into these subjects is an invaluable discipline to enlarge minds and win love for the Bible. The unfolding of God as represented in Jesus Christ furnishes a grand theme to contemplate that, if studied, sharpens the mind and elevates and ennobles the faculties, and learning in His school by becoming meek and lowly of heart teaches the most useful of all lessons. God-given abilities and time are to be used to grow in knowledge of God and Jesus Christ through searching truth in His Word, and those abilities rightly developed will continue to be educated throughout eternity. Wonderful light opens to those who in faith press on, ever on, heeding not hindrance or difficulty, keeping the eyes fixed on the glory that Christ reveals and keeping the way of the Lord and believing His Word.
The treasure in Christ is like the highest mine ever touched or thought of, far above all commercial business and mining stock. Followers have so far only touched the surface of the mine and have seen only glimmerings of those glories, while rich golden ore lies beneath to reward toilsome digging. The shaft must be sunk deeper and still deeper until it yields glorious treasure, for the treasures are too deep to be exhausted. Unfolding that hidden treasure to enrich the soul requires cultivated intellects and cannot be done acceptably by novices, and the height man may reach by proper culture has not yet been realized. Schools are God's instrumentality for developing workers for Jesus Christ who can unfold that treasure, workers of whom He will not be ashamed, and this object must ever be kept in view. Sanitariums also stand on the highest level of enterprise to teach men and women how to find it and bring souls to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus.
In Him students are complete and obtain an education for eternity. They are to keep the way of the Lord with refined and purified understanding, work according to God's plan with system and order, grow in knowledge and grow in grace and be ever advancing with persistent effort to perfect a right character instead of having a dwarfed, weakly, babyish religious experience. They are to test amusements by their influence on mind, character, school work, and religious life and by whether they fit prayer and service of God, and to give supremacy to the service of God over self-pleasing. Pupils and teachers must look directly to Him as fountain and center and source of all grace and wisdom for light and knowledge, going themselves to the same source and using the ability God gave them. Minds must be carried away from poor, defective self to Jesus, and young and old must be taught to search the Scriptures and obtain an experience for themselves so they are rooted and grounded in the truth, being their own simple selves and not copying any man's peculiarities of speech or spirit or ways and manners of working, looking to God to put His divine impress and mould upon the character. The verse stands in connection with the work of teaching and guiding people toward maturity in Christ and with the wisdom needed to treat fellow Christians faithfully.
Receiving and Transformed Life
The hidden treasures are received by coming to Christ in faith and learning in His school, not by seeking wisdom from those who have never sought wisdom from Him. Grace makes possible a close union between the receiver and the Giver, with hearts knit together and not estranged, and with inward assurance in understanding and testifying of the mystery of godliness of the Father and of Christ, who are the efficiency for good. In the last days a large and increasing faith established by that divine wisdom is needed, because human intelligence alone cannot grasp the revelations hidden for ages. The wisdom of the storehouse is obtained by asking God, who gives liberally and without reproach, but the asking must be in unwavering faith, with mind and heart fixed on Him and with talk of His love and power. Even one who counts himself ignorant can be taught the knowledge of His will, and when confused minds see in clear lines that their only hope is receiving the righteousness of Christ and accept by faith His love, pardon and abundant righteousness, the treasures are given and the way of holiness is plainly marked out with grasped promises, springing hope and courage, and freedom and peace in Him.
Beholding the glory of the Lord and contemplating Christ both as pattern for life and as compassionate Redeemer changes believers into the same image from glory to glory by the transforming power of the Spirit. Keeping Him ever in view and looking constantly to Jesus, instead of striving for supremacy, brings deep blessedness of communion and great advantage, with peace and joy in Him and His light, love and work made most precious and satisfying. He is the divine likeness after which human character is molded, and beholding Him in cooperation with Him exposes and corrects defects of character, removes excuse-making for old ways and habits, and advances heart, hand, tongue and feet in practical obedience and shining faith unto the perfect day. Studying Him and His teachings reveals their authority, spirituality, tenderness, benevolence and practical value, engraves His words on the tablets of the soul, and changes heart and life so that believers represent Him in daily life and form Christlike character, which alone is true religious life and a safeguard against deceptive snares.
Knowing Him means knowing the experience of Christ formed within through baptism with the Holy Spirit, for the knowledge of God's glory shines in human hearts through Jesus Christ. The treasures are His miracles, His self-denial and self-sacrifice, His sufferings, His crucifixion, His resurrection and His triumphant ascension, which are the inspiring gospel themes that awaken love and intense fervor in every heart. They are an inexhaustible fountain, and the more a person seeks this experience the greater the value of his life, causing him to exhibit Christ as the divine object of faith and love, to talk of Christ, to pray to Christ and about Christ, and to praise His holy name.
Knowing Him and receiving His attributes brings believers into sympathy with Him and gives access to His love, power and unsearchable riches, and this communion with Christ is part of present reward and heritage beginning in this life. This is the true divine knowledge every Christian should seek and possess, leading to godliness and bringing substantial joy, true happiness, peace and health rather than harming the body or darkening the mind or bringing gloom. In humanity's sinless state there was joyful communion with Him in His presence, sin brought alienation so that the unrenewed heart finds no joy in God or holiness, and return brings happiness in assurance of His love, for He is joy and crown of rejoicing, peace, power and satisfaction through many difficulties. As hearts open to receive His attributes they grow in understanding the vastness of His love which surpasses knowledge, so that they may be filled with all the fullness of God, with broadened views beyond self.
The treasures are ample provision for God's workers so they lack nothing and are without excuse if they fail to draw upon Him. For ministers meeting severe conflicts, arduous labor and tribulation, drawing on the wisdom and knowledge in Christ gives patience, experience and hope, with power to keep working without fainting and desponding, without shrinking from hardships and without complaining under tribulation, since shrinking and complaining make servants weak and inefficient in bearing responsibilities and burdens. Those treasures hidden for ages are brought forth through the revelation of Jesus Christ to enrich the lost and open to the world, for in Christ God places every divine resource at humanity's disposal so people may be forgiven, saved, recreated in His image, and made co-workers with God to reach the fallen and bring sinners back to God. The verse is connected with teaching and guiding people toward maturity in Christ and with the wisdom needed to treat fellow Christians faithfully, and those who believe and practice drawing from the treasure-house become superior in wisdom, knowledge and skill, reaching the highest round of the ladder to glorify Him in body and spirit, with religion that never degrades nor makes coarse and rough, but makes correct in speech and correct in habits with a standing-place among men.
All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden and stored in Christ, in whom they dwell and are found. He is the divine storehouse and fountain of all light, holding its keys and made to believers wisdom and righteousness and redemption, supplying every need of the soul for this life and the life to come. They are not to be sought in human philosophy and vain deceit, in tradition and speculation, or in men put in God's place, for human wisdom apart from him is broken and delusive. He is the source and aim of true education and the greatest Teacher, so the hidden riches are found by coming to him in faith, searching the Scriptures with humble prayer, and beholding his glory until the character is changed into his likeness. For every treasure is in God, infinite and inexhaustible, an ocean believers have seen only in glimmerings and may learn through eternity without exhausting.
Meaning of the Words
All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden, found and stored in Christ, in whom they dwell as the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. He is the sure source of truth and true education rather than human maxims and suppositions, and every true flash of thought and intellect reflects light coming from him as the Light of the world. Believers whose hearts are knit together in love reach all riches of the full assurance of understanding and acknowledgment of that mystery by holding to him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith as taught, abounding with thanksgiving. In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and believers are complete in him who is the head of all principality and power, guarded against being beguiled by enticing words and spoiled through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men and the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. The chapter is a treasure house of encouragement to receive the rich, full, abundant and assuring promises of God in Christ and to learn what Christ is to believers and what they may be to him as his helping hand. Turning from Christ to humanity and looking to man for help and guidance leaves no power, for power and salvation are seen when Jesus is appreciated, while treating the Saviour indifferently and closing the door against the divine Helper leaves no power.
Every treasure of wisdom and knowledge is also in God, who is infinite and inexhaustible in wisdom, goodness and power. Created beings can never attain to a full understanding of God and his works, for if they could reach that limit there would be for them no further discovery of truth, no growth in knowledge and no further development of mind or heart, God would no longer be supreme, and men would cease to advance. Because it is not so, men to all eternity may be ever searching and ever learning and yet never exhaust the treasures of his wisdom, his goodness and his power. The God of grace who holds all wisdom and knowledge is to be reverenced, and learning his deep things increases love for the Holy Scriptures. The treasures of knowledge are with the Most High, and each person must learn to look to him for them, for even the loftiest subjects and deepest things of God can be set forth in chaste, simple, easily understood language that brings greater confidence in and love for the Scriptures, greater sympathy with Christ in his work of redemption, and greater reverence for God himself.
Hid means concealed and stored, hidden beneath the veil of his humanity and deep humiliation, in whom all fullness dwells and whose abundant knowledge encompasses every treasure of wisdom. The treasures were hidden for ages and hidden from eternal ages in the Father and the Son, and human intelligence alone cannot grasp the revelations of the Word, so in the last days a large and increasing faith established by divine knowledge and wisdom is needed. They are hidden from those who are wise in their own estimation and puffed up by the teaching of vain philosophy, who do not perceive the beauty and power and mystery of the plan of redemption, though they have eyes and ears and intellect they see not and hear not and discern not the hidden treasure. Wisdom must not be sought from any human source or from those who have not learned the wisdom of God, but received by coming in faith to Christ himself, with grace making possible a close union between the receiver and the Giver, and with God revealing the truths of his Word by his Spirit. Those treasures hidden for ages are now brought forth to enrich the lost and open to the world, for in Christ God places every divine resource at humanity's disposal so people may be recreated in his image, forgiven, saved and made co-workers with God.
Christ is the greatest Author and the greatest Teacher the world has ever known, the great fountain-head from whom all wisdom flows, who never makes a mistake. The priceless treasure hid in him is found only by rising above the things of this world with affections and all capabilities consecrated to the search, for the things that are seen eclipse the glory of the unseen and man's wisdom is thought higher than the wisdom of the divine Teacher, so that God's lesson book is despised as old-fashioned, tame and stale. Those vivified by the Holy Spirit see the priceless treasure and will sell all to buy the field that contains it, for he gave his life, and by his death and resurrection gives everlasting life. All means every treasure, an inexhaustible storehouse and ocean of love in the God of salvation placed in the hands of Christ from the heavenly resources, too deep to be exhausted, given to convince fallen, sinful man of God's love, that there is no love in the universe but his, and God is working and will work for man's happiness, whose happiness is to know God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. Believers have yet seen only glimmerings of those glories and have only touched the surface of the mine, while rich golden ore lies beneath to reward toilsome digging, so the shaft must be sunk deeper and still deeper until it yields glorious treasure, and those who walk in companionship with him will do his works and must not stop as if no more knowledge remains to gain. His life and saving work — including his miracles, self-denial, suffering, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension — are gospel themes that awaken love and faith, and seeking this experience enriches life.
Setting in Colossians
Paul's desire is for comforted hearts knit together in love unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding and acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. That mystery to be acknowledged is Christ himself with the Father, and holding to him is how believers reach that full assurance. The connection is between receivers and Giver, with hearts united and not estranged from one another, and with inward assurance in understanding testifying of the mystery of godliness of the Father and of Christ, who are their efficiency for good. Disregarding the scriptural commands to unity and love breaks God's law as truly as breaking the fourth commandment. The claim that the Word holds dark, mysterious, incomprehensible things hard to be understood is false, for rightly studied it is made plain and intensely interesting.
The setting is a warning lest anyone beguile believers with enticing words. No one is to spoil them through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men and after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. The danger comes through teachers who fill minds with human maxims and suppositions and force strange meanings on the Word. Abiding in Christ guards against persuasive words and teachings that distort God's Word and draw away from the gospel.
The reason for that safety is that in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Believers are complete in him who is the head of all principality and power. Looking constantly to Jesus as the risen and ascended Saviour, instead of striving for supremacy as the world does, leads onward in faith. Perfection of Christian character and completeness are found only in him.
Having received Christ Jesus the Lord, believers walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith as they were taught, abounding with thanksgiving. That rooted walk gives full assurance and guards against teachings that are not according to Christ. Wisdom must therefore be sought from Christ by coming to him in faith and learning in his school, not from people who have never sought wisdom from him.
Christ the Treasure House
In Him are the Father's glory and the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily, with God's attributes expressed in His character and His righteousness perfect and without stain. His abundant knowledge encompasses every treasure of wisdom because all fullness dwells in Him, yet concealed beneath the veil of His humanity and deep humiliation. Studying Christ and looking constantly to Him and keeping Him ever in view leads onward in faith and, through the Holy Spirit, transforms believers into His image from glory to glory. Pressing close to His side and holding communion with Him changes heart and life, engraves His words on the soul, and forms Christlike character, which alone is true religious life.
He is the Creator and the risen and ascended Saviour, the Alpha and Omega. He is the promised Messiah and the light of the world, and the sure guide for the young, so that to know Him rightly is the highest knowledge bringing life and peace. He is the truth who frees people from sin's control and restores true freedom. He embodies the truths He teaches, and His character reveals them, and every true insight and flash of human intellect reflects His light because He is the source of all genuine wisdom and true higher education.
He is the fountain, stream, doorway and divine storehouse of all light, holding the keys of wisdom and knowledge to unlock the treasure house for man. He never makes a mistake, and He is made to believers wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, with heaven's treasures and all heavenly resources placed in His hands and entrusted to Him to give to those who persistently seek truth. He came to reveal the Father's character so men could worship in spirit and in truth and to sow the world with truth, and every phase of truth was evident to Him as the light of every person, so that He could have opened doors to science and revealed undiscovered stores of knowledge had it been essential to salvation. These treasures come from Christ and nourish those who depend on God, as Joseph's goodness, righteousness, compassion and virtue came from God and reflected the mind of Christ rather than from himself. The wisdom of this storehouse is received by asking God, who gives liberally without reproach, but the asking must be in unwavering faith, and those who seek truth in Him receive His Spirit and are changed to His image, finding in Him joy and peace and power and satisfaction. He is the fountain of all knowledge and the God of all genuine science, dwelling in God's presence and one with the Father, and He Himself is the science of salvation teaching living and eternal principles.
He supplies all that can satisfy the needs and longings of the human soul in this life and the life to come, so that in comparison with Him all else may be counted loss. Following on to know the Lord broadens views beyond being bound about by self and enlarges understanding to grasp that Jesus Christ is substitute and surety and that believers belong to Christ as His purchased possession, bought with a price, and therefore must glorify God in body and spirit which are God's. He gave Himself to save the fallen world, and no greater gift can be given, so that neglecting salvation is neglecting the knowledge of the Father and the Son and rejecting the life purchased at infinite cost, while receiving salvation joins humanity with divinity and makes people partakers of the divine nature and heirs with Christ. He is the divine storehouse of all light and the only one who can prepare people to enter the holy city.
Guard Against False Wisdom
The treasures are not found in human maxims and suppositions, in speculative ideas, in human traditions, or in philosophy and vain deceit that forces strange meanings on the Word. Knowing Christ gives full assurance of understanding and acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ, and keeps believers rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as taught and abounding with thanksgiving, so they are not beguiled by enticing words or spoiled through teachings after the tradition of men and the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. The gospel treasure, the beauty and power and mystery of the plan of redemption, remains hidden from those wise in their own estimation and puffed up by vain philosophy, who though having eyes and ears and intellect see not and hear not and discern not.
Wisdom must not be sought by putting ministers in God's place, by depending on human leaders as mediators, by depending on the changeable world, by learning from those who never sought wisdom from Christ, or by gathering it from so-called great men who lack perception that God's commandments demand obedience. Turning from Christ to humanity and looking to man for help and guidance leaves no power, while power and salvation are seen when Jesus is appreciated and mind and heart are fixed on Him, talking of His love and power until perplexities pass away. Confidence rests in Him rather than in the changing world because all the treasures are hidden in Him and found only in the riches of the wisdom of God, not from any human source, and in the last days a large and increasing faith established by that divine knowledge is needed since human intelligence alone cannot grasp revelations hidden for ages. By grace in Christ close union between receiver and Giver is possible for those who come in faith to learn in His school, and those to whom God reveals truth by His Spirit gain understanding of the mystery of godliness hidden from eternal ages in the Father and the Son.
Human wisdom apart from Christ is like draughts from broken cisterns that can hold no heavenly water, and claims and teachings not grounded in His truth are human guesswork and may be delusions however learned or widely accepted they are. His wisdom is displayed in the plan of salvation to restore fallen humanity and to shape and elevate human character, and man's wisdom is thought higher than the wisdom of the divine Teacher so that God's lesson book is despised as old-fashioned, tame and stale, while those vivified by the Holy Spirit see the priceless treasure and will sell all to buy the field that contains it. To receive the excellency of knowing Christ, people must lay their own reasoning and knowledge and pride beneath the cross, surrender their own righteousness, rise above the things of this world with affections and capabilities consecrated to the search, and submit intellect to the molding of the Holy Spirit to receive wisdom from above, sanctified perception, the righteousness of Christ, and oneness with the Father.
The verse does not mean His mission was to display every possible scientific discovery or to open doors to science and reveal undiscovered stores of knowledge, for such knowledge could have fed unholy ambition rather than fulfilled His purpose to reveal the Father's character, sow the world with truth, and make men worship in spirit and in truth. He Himself is the science of salvation, the fountain of all knowledge and the God of all genuine science holding a higher knowledge with which human discoveries bear no comparison, who dwelt in God's presence as one with the Father and taught living and eternal principles without mingling topics of human science in His instructions. Lower knowledge gained by ordinary means according to capabilities entrusted to man has a measurable value but is not essential for the recovery of man, while the way of life and immortality could only be made known through Jesus Christ, and this knowledge is salvation to all who accept it and must be had by all or they will perish.
True Education and Study
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge reveals Christ, the Infinite One, as both the source and the aim of true education. True higher education is rightly understood by looking to Him, not by accepting the world's interpretation apart from the truths of God's Word. The wisdom and insight of human teachers are not independent sources of truth; wherever their teaching is true, it only reflects the light that comes from Him. Every true flash of thought and intellect comes from the Light of the world. Intellect itself is supreme only as it is sanctified by a living connection with God.
He is the greatest Teacher the world has ever known, who spoke as never man spoke. He poured out to men the whole treasure of heaven in wisdom and knowledge, bringing heavenly things and setting eternity before multitudes absorbed in outward ceremony. He gave wisdom in language so simple that none need fail to understand, and by methods peculiarly His own He helped all in sorrow and affliction, ministering with tender, courteous grace to the sin-sick soul to bring healing and strength. He never uttered uncertain sentiments and opinions, but spoke words of eternal life, truth established upon eternal principles that needs no revising. Claims and teachings not grounded in His truth are human guesswork and may be delusions, however learned or widely accepted they are. His simple words carried God's authority, and He as the great fountain-head from whom all wisdom flows never makes a mistake.
The hidden riches are found only by rising above the things of this world with affections and all capabilities consecrated to the search. Finding them requires diligent, humble Bible study and earnest prayer rather than relying on human ideas, with help under the guidance of holy intelligences giving clear understanding of truth. It requires diligent, deep searching of Scripture rather than relying on surface ideas or taking others' words for truth, with careful comparison of Scripture with Scripture to uncover errors and reveal precious truth. The claim that the Word holds dark, incomprehensible things is false; plain and simple truth dug out from beneath the rubbish of tradition shines forth like jewels, and searching into these subjects is an invaluable discipline to enlarge minds and win love for the Bible. The unfolding of God as represented in Jesus Christ furnishes a grand theme to contemplate that, if studied, sharpens the mind and elevates and ennobles the faculties, and learning in His school by becoming meek and lowly of heart teaches the most useful of all lessons. God-given abilities and time are to be used to grow in knowledge of God and Jesus Christ through searching truth in His Word, and those abilities rightly developed will continue to be educated throughout eternity. Wonderful light opens to those who in faith press on, ever on, heeding not hindrance or difficulty, keeping the eyes fixed on the glory that Christ reveals and keeping the way of the Lord and believing His Word.
The treasure in Christ is like the highest mine ever touched or thought of, far above all commercial business and mining stock. Followers have so far only touched the surface of the mine and have seen only glimmerings of those glories, while rich golden ore lies beneath to reward toilsome digging. The shaft must be sunk deeper and still deeper until it yields glorious treasure, for the treasures are too deep to be exhausted. Unfolding that hidden treasure to enrich the soul requires cultivated intellects and cannot be done acceptably by novices, and the height man may reach by proper culture has not yet been realized. Schools are God's instrumentality for developing workers for Jesus Christ who can unfold that treasure, workers of whom He will not be ashamed, and this object must ever be kept in view. Sanitariums also stand on the highest level of enterprise to teach men and women how to find it and bring souls to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus.
In Him students are complete and obtain an education for eternity. They are to keep the way of the Lord with refined and purified understanding, work according to God's plan with system and order, grow in knowledge and grow in grace and be ever advancing with persistent effort to perfect a right character instead of having a dwarfed, weakly, babyish religious experience. They are to test amusements by their influence on mind, character, school work, and religious life and by whether they fit prayer and service of God, and to give supremacy to the service of God over self-pleasing. Pupils and teachers must look directly to Him as fountain and center and source of all grace and wisdom for light and knowledge, going themselves to the same source and using the ability God gave them. Minds must be carried away from poor, defective self to Jesus, and young and old must be taught to search the Scriptures and obtain an experience for themselves so they are rooted and grounded in the truth, being their own simple selves and not copying any man's peculiarities of speech or spirit or ways and manners of working, looking to God to put His divine impress and mould upon the character. The verse stands in connection with the work of teaching and guiding people toward maturity in Christ and with the wisdom needed to treat fellow Christians faithfully.
Receiving and Transformed Life
The hidden treasures are received by coming to Christ in faith and learning in His school, not by seeking wisdom from those who have never sought wisdom from Him. Grace makes possible a close union between the receiver and the Giver, with hearts knit together and not estranged, and with inward assurance in understanding and testifying of the mystery of godliness of the Father and of Christ, who are the efficiency for good. In the last days a large and increasing faith established by that divine wisdom is needed, because human intelligence alone cannot grasp the revelations hidden for ages. The wisdom of the storehouse is obtained by asking God, who gives liberally and without reproach, but the asking must be in unwavering faith, with mind and heart fixed on Him and with talk of His love and power. Even one who counts himself ignorant can be taught the knowledge of His will, and when confused minds see in clear lines that their only hope is receiving the righteousness of Christ and accept by faith His love, pardon and abundant righteousness, the treasures are given and the way of holiness is plainly marked out with grasped promises, springing hope and courage, and freedom and peace in Him.
Beholding the glory of the Lord and contemplating Christ both as pattern for life and as compassionate Redeemer changes believers into the same image from glory to glory by the transforming power of the Spirit. Keeping Him ever in view and looking constantly to Jesus, instead of striving for supremacy, brings deep blessedness of communion and great advantage, with peace and joy in Him and His light, love and work made most precious and satisfying. He is the divine likeness after which human character is molded, and beholding Him in cooperation with Him exposes and corrects defects of character, removes excuse-making for old ways and habits, and advances heart, hand, tongue and feet in practical obedience and shining faith unto the perfect day. Studying Him and His teachings reveals their authority, spirituality, tenderness, benevolence and practical value, engraves His words on the tablets of the soul, and changes heart and life so that believers represent Him in daily life and form Christlike character, which alone is true religious life and a safeguard against deceptive snares.
Knowing Him means knowing the experience of Christ formed within through baptism with the Holy Spirit, for the knowledge of God's glory shines in human hearts through Jesus Christ. The treasures are His miracles, His self-denial and self-sacrifice, His sufferings, His crucifixion, His resurrection and His triumphant ascension, which are the inspiring gospel themes that awaken love and intense fervor in every heart. They are an inexhaustible fountain, and the more a person seeks this experience the greater the value of his life, causing him to exhibit Christ as the divine object of faith and love, to talk of Christ, to pray to Christ and about Christ, and to praise His holy name.
Knowing Him and receiving His attributes brings believers into sympathy with Him and gives access to His love, power and unsearchable riches, and this communion with Christ is part of present reward and heritage beginning in this life. This is the true divine knowledge every Christian should seek and possess, leading to godliness and bringing substantial joy, true happiness, peace and health rather than harming the body or darkening the mind or bringing gloom. In humanity's sinless state there was joyful communion with Him in His presence, sin brought alienation so that the unrenewed heart finds no joy in God or holiness, and return brings happiness in assurance of His love, for He is joy and crown of rejoicing, peace, power and satisfaction through many difficulties. As hearts open to receive His attributes they grow in understanding the vastness of His love which surpasses knowledge, so that they may be filled with all the fullness of God, with broadened views beyond self.
The treasures are ample provision for God's workers so they lack nothing and are without excuse if they fail to draw upon Him. For ministers meeting severe conflicts, arduous labor and tribulation, drawing on the wisdom and knowledge in Christ gives patience, experience and hope, with power to keep working without fainting and desponding, without shrinking from hardships and without complaining under tribulation, since shrinking and complaining make servants weak and inefficient in bearing responsibilities and burdens. Those treasures hidden for ages are brought forth through the revelation of Jesus Christ to enrich the lost and open to the world, for in Christ God places every divine resource at humanity's disposal so people may be forgiven, saved, recreated in His image, and made co-workers with God to reach the fallen and bring sinners back to God. The verse is connected with teaching and guiding people toward maturity in Christ and with the wisdom needed to treat fellow Christians faithfully, and those who believe and practice drawing from the treasure-house become superior in wisdom, knowledge and skill, reaching the highest round of the ladder to glorify Him in body and spirit, with religion that never degrades nor makes coarse and rough, but makes correct in speech and correct in habits with a standing-place among men.