I.      Verse 18

A.  To put it simply, Paul is saying don’t let anyone deceive you by False humility or worship of angels or the worship of anything other than God.

1.    False humility is something that is going on in the body of Christ today.

2.    Many get puffed up because of what they think they know.

3.  He goes on to say, “Don’t let anyone beguile you of (or steal) your reward.”

a) The Strong’s says that this says that this can mean “Your prize of victory.”

b)    This tells me 2 things. 1st if we have a false humility on the outside, but used it for our own personal gain then we are in danger of losing all that is to be ours in heaven, possibly even eternal life.

c)     2nd if we have anterior motives in our agenda, we will not have any victory from God in this life on earth.

(1)  This is also true with the worship of angels or putting anything above God.   

B.      Verse 19

1.    This verse refers to those that try to use their false doctrine for their personal gain have lost their connection to the Head, which is the Lord Jesus Christ.

2.    So he’s saying that if this person is not connected to the Head, he is severed from the body and the life flow.

3.       COL 2:20

a)    Well, I like the NIV, “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:”

(1)  These rudiments or the basic principles (NIV) refers to rituals and ordinances.

(2)       In other words, since you died with Christ and died to the law why go back and keep the law.

b)      Turn to Gal 4:9-11

(1)  Paul said that his labor was I vain if they went back to a system of works.  

4.        Col 2:21

a) This again was addressing legalism and asceticism (practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline).[1]

b)    “Touch not; taste not; handle not” was saying don’t go back and keep the OT law or a system of rules and regulations to keep salvation.

(1)  Certain things are fine to do, but we are to do them as unto the Lord, not to receive salvation or keep it.  

5.       Col 2:22-23

a)    Once again the NIV is much easier to understand, it says, “These are all destined to perish with use, (talking about keeping rules and regulations) because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”[2]

b)      Turn to Rom 4:11

(1)       What Paul is trying to say here is that circumcision was to be an act of faith, not a work of the law.

(2)  Keeping the law doesn’t profit you. Going to church doesn’t profit you. Even giving doesn’t profit you, if it’s not done in faith.

(3)   Heb 4:2.

(a)       You can’t even please God without faith. (Heb 11:6).   

II.   COL 3:1

A. Back in (Col 2:20) it talks about us being dead with Christ from this world, in COL 3:1 it says that we are risen with Christ.

1.  Starting in Chapter 3 Paul seems to change his line of thinking.

a)  Chapters 1 & 2 Paul deals more with correction from the errors that were being taught by the false teachers.

b) Chapter 3 and the 1st ½ of chapter 4 Paul beging to teach on who we are in Christ and putting on the new man.

2.  Verse 1 starts of with us being raised from the dead with Christ.

a) What does it mean to be raise with Christ? (Life)

b)      What does it mean to have died with Christ. ROM 6:8-11.

(1)          We are dead to sin and the ways of this world, but because we are dead to this world we are raised together with Him to live in the newness and fullness of this life.

3.  Next Paul says, “seek those things which are above.”

a)  The Bible is filled with scriptures that tells us to seek 1st the Kingdom of God.

b)  The NIV says, “set your hearts on things above.”

c)     The AMP says, “aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above,[3]

4.  He ends with “where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

a)  There are many (about dozen) scriptures that say that He is seated at the right hand of God.

B.There is some discussion that the THRONE might be figurative.

1.  I believe this to be real but also somewhat symbolic.

a)  How could God who is everywhere at once be confined to a chair (throne).

b)  It’s real beyond our comprehension.

2.  This verse says that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God.

a)  Where ever His throne is, how ever He sits upon it, it is a place of authority.

b)      Look at 1 Peter 3:22

(1)  The God’s Word Translation says, “Christ has gone to heaven where he has the highest position that God gives. Angels, rulers, and powers have been placed under his authority.”[4]

(2)  I like how the Message Translation says it. The message Bible is more of a thought by thought translation in modern day understanding.

(3)   It says, “Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He’s standing right alongside God, and what he says goes.”[5]

WOLCC Thurs. 6/26/2003

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[1]Merriam-Webster, I. (1996, c1993). Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. Includes index. (10th ed.). Springfield, Mass., U.S.A.: Merriam-Webster.

[2]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Col 2:22-23). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

[3]The amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament. 1987 (Col 3:1). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[4]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (1 Pe 3:22). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

[5]Peterson, E. H. (2003). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (1 Pe 3:22). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.