Chap2_ Colossians

OOOOOOOO Colossians 2:1–5 (NIV84) I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose 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, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

OOOOOOOO Colossians 2:6–7 (NIV84)Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

OOOOOOOO Colossians 2:8–15 (HCSB)8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. 9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 You were also circumcised in Him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of the Messiah. 12 Having been buried with Him in baptism, you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; He triumphed over them by Him.

..... 2:8 The HCSB translation is preferable, “the elemental forces of the world.” For the following reasons it is best to view these forces (stoicheia) as evil spiritual beings that seek to control and destroy people’s lives. First, here and in Gl 4:3–9 the stoicheia are personified as forces that enslave. Second, in this context the stoicheia are probably “the rulers and authorities” that Christ publicly shames (v. 15). Third, the NT regularly links heretical Christian teaching with the demonic (e.g., Mt 24:24; 2Co 11:14–15; 1Jn 4:1–3; cf. 1Co 10:19–20).

,,, στοιχεῖον stoicheion; from the same as 4748; one of a row, hence a letter (of the alphabet), by ext. the elements (of knowledge):—elemental things(2), elementary principles(2), elementary*(1), elements(2), principles(1).

The false teachings the Colossians faced were based on mere human tradition, rather than on Christ (v. 8). The Colossians, and all believers, have been made complete in Him (v. 10) in that they have (among other blessings) forgiveness (1:14), reconciliation (1:22), and new life (2:13). They need no other source of spiritual wealth, since the fullness of Deity dwells in Him (see 1:19). So, as fully God and fully man, He is the head over all, including the elemental forces.

OOOOOOOO Colossians 2:16–19 (HCSB)16 Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm and inflated without cause by his unspiritual mind. 19 He doesn’t hold on to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, develops with growth from God.

OOOOOOOO Colossians 2:20–23 (HCSB) 20 If you died with the Messiah to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: 21 “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? 22 All these regulations refer to what is destroyed by being used up; they are commands and doctrines of men. 23 Although these have a reputation of wisdom by promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.

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