1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. Colossians 2:1–4
Unity amongst Christians is derived from all possessing the full assurance and understanding of the true knowledge of Christ. Vines defines the Greek word for understanding used here, sunesis, as “the penetrating consideration which precedes action.” It’s important for all to be on the same page in the church. In theory, there should be no “shifting shadow” (James 1:17) in comprehending the Savior’s role. It bothered the apostle greatly to not to be with them in person to gather feedback, to witness for himself that they were all in. To know there was a prevailing heresy (Gnosticism) in the church causing doubt among some of them is obvious in this letter. I can’t think of an epistle more persuasively written. He’s begging for sunesis on their part, that they might stand fully assured in the faith and act accordingly. In doing so they’d experience true knowledge and encouragement, love, unity, and spiritual wealth.
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