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Colossians 2:2
ESV that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,
NIV My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
NASB that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
CSB I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God's mystery--Christ.
NLT I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.
KJV That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

What does Colossians 2:2 mean?

Paul follows his account of personal struggle with the goal of his efforts: spiritual encouragement. Encouragement is a primary goal of his letter. In Colossians 4:7–8 Paul adds that he is also sending Tychicus for that very reason.

Paul includes an interesting word picture in his attempt to encourage the Christians of Colossae. The metaphor of sewing hearts together, in love, implies a unique unity among believers. The goal of this united encouragement was mutual knowledge, wisdom, and confidence in their Christian walk. As Paul repeats throughout this brief letter, his goal is to promote a focus on Christ, and Christ alone.

Mystery is noted four times in this letter (Colossians 1:26, 27; Colossians 2:2; Colossians 4:3). Paul refers to the idea nearly twenty times in his writings. In this context, Paul is referring to an aspect of previously unknown information. However, this "mystery" is no longer some special hidden knowledge. This truth has been revealed, in Christ. This revelation makes the mystery of Christ far superior to the mystical teachings which Paul will speak against later in this chapter.
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