Colossian 2

Chapter summary. Paul prays constantly that the believers in Colossae and Laodicea may really understand what they have in Christ, who is the storehouse where God has placed all the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:1–5).

Gnostics claim access to a superior knowledge, but the secret of the Christian’s life is to remain rooted in the Lord (vv. 6–7).

Paul then lists a series of warnings. Spiritual reality is not to be found in “deceptive philosophy,” but in union with a Christ in whom all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form (vv. 8–15).

Spiritual reality is not found in legalism (vv. 16–17), in the worship of angels (vv. 18–19), or in people who have dos and don’ts, which makes a person look good, but has no value in restraining expressions of one’s sin nature (vv. 20–23).

Prayer (2:1). It’s good to pray for those we know and love. But our vision needs to reach beyond this little circle to other brothers and sisters whom we may not have met, but whose needs we have come to know.[1]

Treasures in Christ (2:2–3). Some people claimed a superior, hidden knowledge that was superior to the revelation provided in the Christian Gospel. In fact, the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are “hidden” in Christ. Here “hidden” does not mean concealed, but stored up, to be accessible to us.

Here is a quote from a collage Vernon McGee learned:

“Next to knowing is knowing where to find out.”

True there are some scriptures that are not meant for us to know right now.

Then we go to Colossians 2:4, And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

Beguile means = “to victimize”

Enticing means = “to sweet talk”

So we are to be careful that people or Pastors don’t victimize or sweet talk us in not obeying the Word of God

A teacher was talking to a group of men for about half an hour. Another man walked up to the group and asked one of the men on the outside of the circle, “What’s he talking about?” The fellow answered, “He hasn’t said yet.” That is the problem—he never would say. All he did was talk with enticing words.

I know a dear lady who attends a certain church because, as she says “I just love to go there because the preacher uses such flowery language and he makes me feel so good all over.” That is the danger today. A great many people love this pretense toward intellectuality among preachers rather than the simple Word of God.

In Colossians 2:5, For 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.

Order means = Order is a military term, and it means “to stand shoulder to shoulder.”

We as a group need to be standing together as one.

Steadfastness means = “to have a solid front, to be immovable.” The literal translation would be “stereotype,”

1 Corinthians 15:58, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Life in Christ (2:6–7). Four participles describe how we relate to Christ to draw on His riches: (1) Rooted. The tense looks back to that saving faith that initially united us to Jesus. Salvation always comes first. (2) Built up. Here the tense emphasizes a continual process of growth. (3) Strengthened. The present tense shows a continual process of deepening faith, described in 1:9–11. (4) Overflowing with thankfulness. Again a continual experience, abounding through the meaningfulness of our experience with Jesus.[2]

Philosophy” (2:8). Hollow and deceptive philosophy depends on human tradition. The whole system presented by the false teachers in Colossians was mere “basic principles of this world.

2 Timothy 3:7, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Galatians 4:9, But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Ecclesiastes 12:12, And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

“Fullness” (2:9). Paul means simply that all God can be and is for us is summed up in Jesus. We don’t need a “better way” because relationship with Jesus provides us with all of God.

Ecclesiastes 1:14-18,14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
What is the Book of Ecclesiastes about? What does it say in the first chapter?
Ecclesiastes 12:13, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Real circumcision (2:9–15). Jewish elements in the “deceptive philosophy” of the false teachers emphasized circumcision—an external rite. But faith unites us with Jesus, and this baptism accomplishes a circumcision which “puts off” the sinful nature. This is the “fullness” we have been given in Christ and find only in Him.

Jewish rules and regulations
Romans 2:29, But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The words putting off means – totally breaking away, which happened the moment a person gets saved

When we get saved our whole lives changes we took off the old body and put on the new body (circumcision)
Salvation is not a improvement of the old nature.

“The Cross” (2:14). The phrase is frequently used in the N.T. as a term for the Gospel.

“Canceled the written code” (2:14). Because we could not meet the Law’s demands it was “against us.” But it is no longer. The Gk. word means to “wipe out” or “wipe away.” The blood of Jesus washed all that was written against us off the bill of indictment, and we are free.

What does it mean to be out from under the law?

Romans 8:2, For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
The law is now fulfilled in Christ
Matthew 5:17-18,17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled
Galatians 3:25, But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster
What are the ordinances which where blotted out?

Here is an example: A man once came to me and said, “I’ll give you $100 if you will show me where the Sabbath day has been changed.” I answered, “I don’t think it has been changed. Saturday is Saturday, it is the seventh day of the week, and it is the Sabbath day. I realize our calendar has been adjusted and can be off a few days, but we won’t even consider that point. The seventh day is still Saturday and is still the Sabbath day.” He got a gleam in his eye and said, “Then why don’t you keep the Sabbath day if it hasn’t been changed?” I answered, “The day hasn’t changed, but I have been changed. I’ve been given a new creation. We celebrate the first day because that is the day He rose from the grave.” That is what it means when he says that the ordinances which were against us have been nailed to His cross.[3]

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“Powers and authorities” (2:15). The reference is to hostile angelic or supernatural powers.[4]

God is start off telling us that no other power in the heavens have or here on earth have anything over us
Colossians 1:16, For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him
The devil and all the bad angels were made by Christ. He is the king of all the universe.
Whatever part the angels may have had under the law ended at the cross
Satan and his angels were a part of this

“Worship of angels” (2:18–19). Gnosticism supposed that a long row of angels stood between the material universe and the immaterial God. The most powerful angels were the furthest from the material. Many worshiped and sought to contact these angels.

What we see today happened back at the time of Christ. Remember what Eccl. says?

How can these things be? People through out the ages have gone down their own path. Look what happened to the Jews.

God is telling us here not to get caught up with visions and angels worship. Look at the Amplified Version

They were letting false teacher lead them away from Christ.

See Gal 1:6-7

Not holding the Head mean they have a lose relationship with Christ.

Verse 16-17

Shadow of things to come: The Old Testament was a picture of things to come.
When Christ came to earth reality set in and we don’t need the picture anymore
We are not to hold to the things that were in the Old Testament (They were pictures of things to come)
Why look at a picture when you have the real thing here.
Many people today go around with a picture of things to come instead of living the real thing now.
We get our word “photograph” from this Greek word “Shadow”

The Old Testament was waiting for Christ to come and everything we see was set up for the things to come once Christ came.

The Tabernacle and the Temple than our bodies as the temple.
The sacrifices in the Old Testament and now Christ became the perfect one today
Can some of you tell me of an example of this?
Matthew 5:17, Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Asceticism (2:20–23). Paul says do’s and don’ts are of no “value in restraining sensual indulgence.” People who “don’t” get proud, and condemn folks who “do.” And these sins are as much an expression of the flesh, as the action the person is proud of refusing!

God is telling us here; since ye be died when Christ died, do not return to pre-cross living

God is warning us that there are people who don’t do this or don’t do that and then they say look at me see how close I am to God.

“Not of any honor” means not of any value

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[1]Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (814). Wheaton: Victor Books.

[2]Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (814). Wheaton: Victor Books.

[3]McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (5:351). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[4]Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (814). Wheaton: Victor Books.