Colossians 2:3 - Exposition

In whom (or, which ) are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden(ly) ( Ephesians 1:8 , Ephesians 1:9 ; Ephesians 3:8 ; Romans 11:33 ; 1 Corinthians 1:5 , 1 Corinthians 1:6 , 1 Corinthians 1:30 ; 1 Corinthians 2:7 ; 2 Corinthians 4:3 ). Bengel, Meyer, Alford, and others make the relative pronoun neuter, referring to "mystery;" but "Christ," the nearer antecedent, is preferable ( Colossians 2:9 , Colossians 2:10 ; Colossians 1:16 , Colossians 1:17 , Colossians 1:19 ). In him the apostle finds what false teachers sought elsewhere, a satisfaction for the intellect as well as for the heart— treasures of wisdom and knowledge to enrich the understanding, and unsearchable mysteries to exercise the speculative reason. "Hidden" is, therefore, a secondary predicate: in whom are these treasures,—as hidden treasures" (Ellicott, Lightfoot). (For a similar emphasis of position, compare "made complete," Colossians 2:10 , and "seated," Colossians 3:1 .) Meyer and Alford, with the Vulgate, make "hidden" an attributive: "in whom are hidden treasures." Chrysostom and leading versions make it primary predicate: "in whom are hidden," etc., against the order of the words. This word also belongs to the dialect of the mystic theosophists. (On "wisdom," see note, Colossians 1:9 .) Knowledge ( γνῶσις , not ἐπίγνωσις , Colossians 2:2 ; Colossians 1:9 ; Colossians 3:10 ; for this phrase is more comprehensive) is the more objective and purely intellectual side of wisdom (comp. Romans 11:33 ).