I.   Colossians 2:8-10.

A.  Here again Paul is dealing with Gnosticism and the error in their doctrine.

1.    The NIV translation says, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

2.    The word “SPOIL” from the KJV literally means, “to carry one off as a captive (and slave). 1b to lead away from the truth and subject to one’s sway.” [1]

a)    Paul is warning that Philosophy can lead you into bondage and you can become a slave to it.

b)    Paul is not against all philosophy, just those that are contrary to the Word of God.

(1)  Philosophy of religion. 

c)     Philosophy is similar to deductive reasoning. It is trying to analyze and reason.

(1)  There is a certain amount of good that can come out of that, but there is a certain amount of bad that can come out of that.

(2)  Never try to reason out God.

d)    Listen to the Message translation for verse 8, "Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ.”

(1)  I Just wanted to note, he didn’t say he was against all philosophy, just false philosophy.

3.    Next (still in verse 8) Paul talks about "vain or empty deceits" of the Traditions of men or human traditions.

a)    They are very deceptive.

(1)  Thinking that "this is the way we've always done it" can be very misleading.

(2)  Why have you always done it that way?

b)    An example of tradition is the thinking that it is Christ-like to be poor.

4.    The New Revised Standard Version says this, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, c and not according to Christ." [2]

a)    The Wuest translation says, “Be ever on your guard lest there shall be someone who leads you astray through his philosophy, even futile deceit, which is according to the tradition of men, according to the rudimentary teachings (NASB elementary principles) of the world, and not according to Christ,” [3]

b)    He’s telling us to be on guard. I can guarantee it, people will try to mislead you.  

c)     How? Thru their words. Always check it out through the Word. Ask yourself, Is it scriptural or not?

II.Col 2:9

A.  There is no fullness in human reasons, no fullness in human knowledge, there is no fullness in things.

B.  Paul goes on to say “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead (Deity) bodily.”  

1.  The word “FULLNESS” means “Filled to the top, all the way, completely,” meaning that there is “nothing lacking.”

a)    You can’t use that word of us. (Always have something lacking)

2.    Jesus is the fullness of God.

a)    There is nothing lacking in Him.

3.    He is the fullness of God, the completeness.

4.    Notice the last word in Verse 9 “BODILY or BODILY FORM.”

a)     When Jesus was here on earth He was 100% human and 100% God.

b)    He still is 100% in His glorified body.

III.      Col 2:10

A.   1st He says, “And ye are complete in him,”

1.    The word “Complete” really doesn’t do a good job to describe its full meaning.

2.    The Amplified says, “And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature][4]”

a)    Look at 2 PETER 1:4 (Partakers of His divine nature).

b)    We have received the fullness.

(1)  I’m not trying to say that we are the same as God, because in our own selves we are nothing.

3.    However, with Him and in Him we can fully enjoy all things.

a)        Look at 1 TIM 6:17

b)    Because we are in Him the believer can enjoy the “ABUNDANT LIFE.”

(1)  John 10:10 says, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

c)     The believer can have the Fullness of JOY.

(1)  Jesus said in John 15:11, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

d)    The believer can have the fullness of PEACE, KNOWLEDGE (MIND OF CHIRST), the fullness of GOD’S LOVE, the fullness of HEALTH AND HEALING, the fullness of HEAVEN, the fullness of GOD’S GRACE (Jn 1:16) and THE LIST GOES ON.

B. The last part of verse 10 says, “which is the head of all principality and power:”

1.    What Paul is implying is that “We are walking in the fullness because we are walking with Him who is the head over every principality and power.”

a)    Principality and power is referring to every demonic power.

(1)  How do I know he’s talking about evil spirit and demonic power and not angles?

(2)  Because they are the words, “ARCHE” and “EXOUSIA.” These same words are used in COL 2:15

2.    So going back to verse 10, We are walking in the fullness of God and it’s backed up by the power of God.

a)    Our only problem is that we don’t know it yet.

b)    NOW WE DO.

WOLCC May 29, 2003 Thursday

----

[1]Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the test of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.

c Or the rudiments of the world

[2]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989 (Col 2:8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[3]Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1961). The New Testament : An expanded translation. First published in 3 vols., 1956-59, under title: Expanded translation of the Greek New Testament. (Col 2:4). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

[4]The amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament. 1987 (Col 2:10). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.