Matthew Poole and continuators on Colossians 1:9

9 For this cause we also , since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you , and to desire that ye [illegible: 1 letter]ight be filled with the knowledge of his will , in all wisedom , and spiritual understanding .

He doth here suggest the motive mentioned in the precedent verses, viz. their faith and love, v. 4▪ 5. and their special love, v. 8. to him, why he and his brethren had them so much upon their hearts, see on Ephes. 1.15, 16, 17.

It seems from the time they were refresh'd with these tidings they did (as he exhorts the Colossians here, c. 4.2.) always upon all solemn occasions wait upon God for the Colossians spiritual prosperity, as Paul himself did for the Philippians, see on Luk. 18.1. Rom. 12.12. Phil. 1.4, 9▪ with 1 Thess. 5.17.

And the subject matter of their instant prayer was that they might attain to a more distinct, clear, and practical knowledge of the mind of God in Christ, and a greater measure of conformity to what he requires in the gospel. v. 6. Eph. 5.15.16, 17.

In (rather than with) all necessary knowledge of the things of faith and manners according to the prescript of the Gospel: for sapience or wisedom doth properly respect the most excellent things, and such we learn most distinctly and satisfactorily from the revealed will of God, which we have in the Bible: this is that which Paul and other holy men spake as taught of God amongst the perfect or grown Christians in opposition both to the wisedom of Man and of the World, 1 Cor. 2.4, 6. being agreeable to the will of God, Iob. 28.28. Prov. 28.7. Ioh. 6.40. 1 Thess. 4.3.

And with this Christian wisedom some would render the following words in spiritual prudence, but if we render it understanding or intelligence it may be expounded to the same sense, for which there may be very good reason, for the Philosopher doth sometime by the Greek word mean that power or habit whereby men judge aright of things presented conducing to happiness, so as upon a due expence of circumstances to discern the good from the evil, the true from the false, and the real from the apparent: such a gift as Paul prays the Lord would give unto Timothy, 2 Tim. 2.7. compared with 1 Cor. 1.5. that they might rightly distinguish 'twixt the simplicity and purity of the Gospel, and those false glosses and colours that false teachers went about to sophisticate it with not be without understanding) as some who follow'd our Saviour, Mat. 15.16.) what course they should take in the practice of piety; but be able to discern the times, 1 Chron. 12.32. and other circumstances, Psal. 39.1. & 50.23. Eccles. 5.1. Luk. 8.18. for the ordering their actions aright, so as they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things as becomes the Gospel, Eph. 1.8. with Phil. 1.10.27. Col. 4.5. Tit. 2.10. Ignorance then can be no Mother of true devotion, nor the inventions of men acceptable service to the living God, whose will alone is the rule of his worship.

Marginal references: Rom. 12.2.