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#18.
Hid treasure (2: 2, 3).
pp. 42 - 46
We found in our last article that the expression "knit together" of Col. 2: 2 includes
the idea of teaching and instructing as well as "compacting together", and that just as
nourishment is ministered to the physical body through the "joints and bands" working
harmoniously together in conjunction with the head, so spiritual nourishment, that is the
truth, is ministered by one member to another as each "holds the Head" and realizes that
"in Him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge".
We shall "encourage" (parakaleo = "to comfort") the heart best when point away to
the Head, even Christ, Who now sitteth on the right hand of God. We shall minister that
which makes for the increase of God in the church when we "teach" and "preach" Christ.
We shall minister both to our own "full assurance" and to that of others when we realize
that the very mystery of God is summed up in the single title "Christ": we shall be proof
against all vain philosophy of men if we ever acknowledge that in Christ are hid all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
We sometimes read that a certain Preacher ministers to a "wealthy congregation".
That is the blessed position of the writer of these words. His congregation, made up
mostly of scattered members of the church which is the body of Christ, is wealthy beyond
dreams. Of no other church is such wealth spoken. Does the apostle speak of its
redemption? then it is according to the riches of His grace (Eph. 1: 7). Does he speak of
the glorious inheritance awaiting us? then he speaks of the riches of its glory (Eph. 1: 18).
Does he speak of the yet future ages? then he speaks of the exceeding riches of grace and
kindness yet to be shown unto us (Eph. 2: 7). The very mystery that is his theme is
defined as "the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph. 3: 8), and the answer to his prayer is
according to the riches of the glory (Eph. 3: 16). So in Colossians there are riches
beyond the dreams of avarice and beyond the touch of corruption:--
The riches of the glory of this mystery
\
The riches of the full assurance . . . . . mystery
} are all in CHRIST
The treasures of wisdom and knowledge
/ (Col. 1: 27; 2: 2, 3).
The item of wealth immediately before us is "The riches of the full assurance of
understanding". Ignorance is costly; uncertainty is sometimes fatal. The apostle who
could say, "I know Whom I have believed", could not be shamed or cowed though all
men forsook him. The word plerophoria, which is translated "full assurance", occurs in
the New Testament as follows:--
"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost,
and in much assurance" ((I Thess. 1: 5).
"We desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of
hope unto the end" (Heb. 6: 11).
"Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith" (Heb. 10: 22).
"All the riches of the full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2: 2).