A. Paul made two profound statements here that is every (or should be) Pastors dream and prayer. The root of his thinking is 1:28 "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:" The word "perfect" is complete or fully mature in Christ or the teachings of Christ. Here are the two profound statements and is every Pastor’s prayer.

      1. 2:1a "I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you,"

            a. Paul’s great fight was for them. He was at times brought to tears over them and vowed to never stop fighting for them.

            b. Paul was not and is not alone in this fight. All Pastors greatest desire is to teach because that is our work. 1 Timothy 3:1-2 "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (2.) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" teaching is our work.

            c. When church members fail to learn or are easily led astray they fail in maturing and they fail their Pastor and this is a deep and great hurt to Pastors.

      2. 2:2a "That their hearts might be comforted,"

            a. Paul desired that their hearts would be happy in the Lord. This is not possible when church members are out of line with the Lord and His teachings.

           b. Happiness in the Lord can only come from being close to Him and that is not possible if we exit the truth for a lie.

           c. We never seek to hurt church members but to encourage them to grow in the word and to live in the word and to mature in the word. Sometimes it seems like damnation or judgment however it is truly encouragement to stand firm in the Lord.

           d. Paul wanted happiness for this church and I want happiness for this church. It simply hurts your Pastor when a church member acts outside of truth and ceases to mature in truth, sometimes even bringing Pastors to tears.

B. V. 2b "being knit together in love,"

      1. This is the hearts of the church members. To be in unison the phrase means "to dive together" The Lord spoke of the church as a body and when one member hurts all the rest of the body hurts and when one member glories the whole body glories with it. And when one member falls away it like loosing an arm or etc.

       2. A complete fine tuned church is one that is in unity. One that studies together, learn together and grows together. Any one single member that breaks this it affects the entire body. Ephesians 4:16 "From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

       3. Paul adds to this, V. 2c "and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding," The word "riches" means wealth, what is the wealth? "full assurance of understanding" having true understanding in the church is a treasurer in itself. It is an invaluable possession, like abundant wealth. Mature Christians do not complain about what they do not have, they relish the knowledge of God’s word they do have, it is our pot of gold. Isaiah 32:17 "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."

       4. V. 2 d "to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God," This is our pot of gold! To have an understanding of God’s word, to have the wisdom to properly follow it and to be able to bring glory to the Lord in it. Look around and see how many that does not get it like these teachers of Gnosticism and Arminianism of today and rejoice in the Lord’s blessings to you and your church. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."

       5. V. 2e "of the Father, and of Christ;" This is our maturity, it is the knowledge and complete understanding of the Father and of Christ. That salvation is in Christ and totally in Christ and that the Father is Sovereign in everything and elected us to be His children and etc.

       6. V. 3 "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." In the Godhead are these things hid from the world but opened to us who are in Christ. Divine Truth hid from the world but open to us through the Holy Spirit. Yes indeed we are rich!