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Colossians

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Colossians 2

1For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, even Christ, 3in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

1For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2That 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;

3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Commentary · verses 1-3

In Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Doctrines on this passage

4This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

4And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

Commentary · verse 4

Those who "delude" with "persuasiveness of speech" are deceivers: they speak a right WHAT with a wrong or no HOW/WHY. This was something that would hinder our growth: listening to deceivers.

5For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

5For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Commentary · verse 5

Joy and being absent in the flesh, yet present in the Spirit were themes from the Book of Philippians.

6As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Commentary · verses 6-7

Paul encouraged the Colossians to make progress (walk/grow) in Christ, not only just receiving Him.

8Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:

8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Commentary · verse 8

This time Paul was more specific about the thing that would hinder day-to-day growth in the Christian walk: men who may spoil you through the traditions of men from the world and not after Christ. Traditions of men is a specific topic of deception.

Doctrines on this passage

9for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, 10and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:

9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Commentary · verses 9-10

Believers are complete in Christ, who is the head of all principality and power. Christ is the "head" of all that is spiritual.

11in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; 12having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

11In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Commentary · verses 11-12

Doctrine: Water baptism symbolized our death and burial with Christ.

13And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses; 14having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;

13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Commentary · verses 13-14

Our sins have been nailed to the cross!

15having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Commentary · verse 15

Doctrine: Christ openly triumphed over principalities and powers by His work on the cross.

16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: 17which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.

16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Commentary · verses 16-17

Again, Paul specifically mentioned not letting people deceive believers by having believers focus on the Law.

18Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.

18Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Commentary · verses 18-19

Verse 18 warned against being vain in our own mind, while verse 19 sounded like it came from the Book of Ephesians, even to the point of following the "1-2-3" model:

  1. The individual focuses on Christ.

  2. Individuals exchange with those they are knit together.

  3. The body as a whole increases.

20If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, 21Handle not, nor taste, nor touch 22(all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men?

20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

21(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Commentary · verses 20-22

This was the only question in this letter: If we are dead with Christ (living by grace) then why would we be subject to ordinances (laws) which are the commandments of men? It was rhetorical...

23Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Commentary · verse 23

Theme of Chapter 2: Avoiding deceivers, especially those who try to put believers back under the Law, helps us avoid our growth being hindered in our day-to-day Christian walk. Again, Paul referenced several concepts from letters he had written to others around this same time. Paul had a consistent message.

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