Colossians 2:3
New International Version
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

New Living Translation
In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

English Standard Version
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Berean Standard Bible
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Berean Literal Bible
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge.

King James Bible
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

New King James Version
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

New American Standard Bible
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

NASB 1995
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

NASB 1977
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Legacy Standard Bible
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Amplified Bible
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [regarding the word and purposes of God].

Christian Standard Bible
In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.

American Standard Version
in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

Contemporary English Version
but all wisdom and knowledge are hidden away in him.

English Revised Version
in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God has hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ.

Good News Translation
He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge.

International Standard Version
In him are stored all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Majority Standard Bible
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

NET Bible
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

New Heart English Bible
in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

Webster's Bible Translation
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Weymouth New Testament
In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are stored up, hidden from view.

World English Bible
in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
in whom are all the treasures of the wisdom and the knowledge hid,

Berean Literal Bible
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge.

Young's Literal Translation
in whom are all the treasures of the wisdom and the knowledge hid,

Smith's Literal Translation
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For in him are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

New American Bible
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

New Revised Standard Version
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Him in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
in whom are stored up all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge.

Godbey New Testament
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Haweis New Testament
in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Mace New Testament
in whom are reserv'd all the treasures of wd om and knowledge.

Weymouth New Testament
In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are stored up, hidden from view.

Worrell New Testament
in Whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden away.

Worsley New Testament
in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absent in Body, Present in Spirit
2that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.…

Cross References
Proverbs 2:3-6
if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, / if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, / then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. ...

1 Corinthians 1:24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Ephesians 1:17-18
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. / I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

Romans 11:33
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

1 Corinthians 2:6-7
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Isaiah 45:3
I will give you the treasures of darkness and the riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.

1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

Ephesians 3:8-10
Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, / and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. / His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

Daniel 2:20-22
and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. / He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.

Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Job 28:12-28
But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? / No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. / The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’ ...

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.


Treasury of Scripture

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

In whom.

Colossians 1:9,19
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; …

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Romans 11:33
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

hid.

Colossians 3:3
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Job 28:21
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

Proverbs 2:4
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

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Hid Hidden Secret Stored Stores Treasures View Wisdom
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Hid Hidden Secret Stored Stores Treasures View Wisdom
Colossians 2
1. Paul still exhorts them to be constant in Christ;
8. to beware of philosophy, and vain traditions;
18. worshipping of angels;
20. and legal ceremonies, which are ended in Christ.














In whom
This phrase refers to Christ, as established in the preceding verses. The Greek word used here is "ἐν ᾧ" (en hō), which emphasizes the location or sphere in which something exists. In the context of Colossians, Paul is asserting that Christ is the divine repository of all spiritual wealth. Historically, this counters the Gnostic belief that spiritual knowledge was hidden and accessible only to a select few. Instead, Paul affirms that all believers have access to this wisdom through Christ.

are hidden
The Greek word "ἀπόκρυφοι" (apokryphoi) is used here, meaning concealed or kept secret. This term is significant because it suggests that the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are not immediately apparent to the worldly or the unspiritual. In a historical context, this challenges the mystery religions and secretive philosophies of the time, which claimed exclusive access to divine mysteries. Paul is emphasizing that these treasures are hidden in Christ, not in esoteric teachings.

all the treasures
The word "πάντες" (pantes) for "all" signifies completeness and totality. "Treasures" translates from the Greek "θησαυροί" (thēsauroi), indicating a storehouse or repository of wealth. This phrase underscores the richness and abundance of what is available in Christ. In a scriptural context, it echoes the Old Testament wisdom literature, where wisdom is often portrayed as a treasure to be sought after (e.g., Proverbs 2:4).

of wisdom
The Greek word "σοφίας" (sophias) refers to wisdom, which in biblical terms is not merely intellectual knowledge but a practical, moral, and spiritual understanding that aligns with God's will. Historically, wisdom was highly valued in Jewish culture, as seen in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Paul is asserting that true wisdom, which leads to godly living, is found in Christ.

and knowledge
The term "γνώσεως" (gnōseōs) is used for knowledge, which in this context refers to a deep, intimate understanding of divine truths. This is not just factual information but a relational knowledge that comes from being in Christ. In the historical context of Colossae, where false teachers promoted a special knowledge (gnosis) as necessary for salvation, Paul counters by affirming that all necessary knowledge is found in Christ.

(3) In whom are hid all the treasures.--The order of the original is curious: "in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, as hidden treasures." The word "hidden" (apocryphi) is an almost technical word for secret teaching given only to the initiated; used originally as a term of honour (as the participle of the kindred verb is used in 1Corinthians 2:7-8, "the wisdom of God in mystery, even the hidden wisdom . . . which none of the princes of this world knew"), afterwards, from the character of these "apocryphal" books, coming to signify spurious and heretical. St. Paul evidently takes up here a word, used by the pretenders to a special and abstruse knowledge, and applies it to the "heavenly things" which He alone knows "who is in heaven" (John 3:12-13). From our full comprehension they are hidden; if ever we know them, it will not be till "we know even as we are known." But the previous words show that we can have full practical apprehension of them by our knowledge of Christ, who knows them--a knowledge begun in faith, and perfected chiefly in love.

Wisdom and knowledge.--Comp. Romans 11:33 and 1Corinthians 12:8 ("the word of wisdom" . . . "the word of knowledge"). On the true sense of "wisdom" and its relation to other less perfect gifts, as "prudence," "intelligence," "knowledge," see Note on Ephesians 1:8. "Knowledge" is clearly the development of wisdom in spiritual perception, as "intelligence" in testing and harmonising such perception, and "prudence" in making them, so tested, the guide of life. The word "knowledge" (gnosis) was the word which, certainly afterwards, probably even then, was the watchword of "Gnosticism"--the unbridled and fantastic spirit of metaphysical and religious speculation then beginning to infest all Christian thought. It can hardly be accidental that St. Paul here, as elsewhere, subordinates it to the higher gift of wisdom. . . .

Verse 3. - In whom (or, which) are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden(ly) (Ephesians 1:8, 9; Ephesians 3:8; Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 1:5, 6, 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 (vers. 9, 10; Colossians 1:16, 17, 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," ver. 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 (see note, Colossians 1:27: comp. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; Isaiah 45:3; Proverbs 2:1-11). (On "wisdom," see note, Colossians 1:9.) Knowledge (γνῶσις, not ἐπίγνωσις, ver. 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).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

whom
(hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

are
εἰσιν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

hidden
ἀπόκρυφοι (apokryphoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 614: Hidden away, secret, stored up. From apokrupto; secret; by implication, treasured.

all
πάντες (pantes)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

treasures
θησαυροὶ (thēsauroi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2344: A store-house for precious things; hence: a treasure, a store. From tithemi; a deposit, i.e. Wealth.

of wisdom
σοφίας (sophias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4678: Wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence. From sophos; wisdom.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

knowledge.
γνώσεως (gnōseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1108: Knowledge, doctrine, wisdom. From ginosko; knowing, i.e. knowledge.


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NT Letters: Colossians 2:3 In whom are all the treasures (Coloss. Col Co)
Colossians 2:2
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