The knowledge of God's will

Paul's brief but intense and comprehensive prayer keeps growing in depth and scope: he prays not just that the Colossians might be filled with knowledge, but that they might be filled to completeness with nothing less than the knowledge of God's divine will - his doctrines and precepts, genuine Christian experience, insight into his words of principle, precept, and prophecy. Such knowledge is our salvation, standard, security and satisfaction.

However, Paul goes further in his prayer, praying also for the wisdom and understanding required to put this knowledge into practice so as to keep from error and walk in truth. It is this wisdom that distinguishes the spiritually mature.