Colos sians 2:4-15

In this section of Paul’s letter to the Colossians there are two major concerns that he has (2:4, 8) and he takes this opportunity to remind these Christians of what really matters and how to keep hold of it.

Colossians 2:4-5 “4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.”

Here, Paul introduces his reasoning for writing what he did in chapter one. Even though he isn’t there physically, he still has a spiritual connection to them as joint-heirs with Christ. His first concern for these believers is that they not be deceived by persuasive words or smooth talk.

Take a look 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 “1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

In Matthew 24:4-5, 23-24, Jesus talks about the possibility and reality of deception.

Matt. 24:4-5 “4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”

Matt. 24:23-24 “23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary ii. Paul’s Ministry to the Colossians (2:1–5)

Paul does not say that the Colossians have already been deceived, but from long experience he knows that a work of grace is followed by an attack from the enemy, and that one regular form this attack may take is the clever plausibility of teaching near enough to the truth to be apparently respectable and far enough away from it to be devastating in its effect on individuals and congregations.

Paul doesn’t want the Colossians to end up like the Galatians (Gal. 1:6-10). Neither does he want us to fall into that trap.

Look at the parable of the sower in Mark’s gospel.

Mark 4:14–17 NKJV

14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.

How can we avoid the deception of well-crafted arguments?

Colossians 2:8-10 “8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

Paul’s second concern is that they not get cheated. To be cheated literally means to be robbed, plundered or carried off. It’s about taking what belongs to someone else.

Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians & Philemon Notes

This rare term means “to carry off as booty or as a captive in war” (L&N 37.10); it is used here in a metaphorical sense.

What would they be cheated out of? (see Col. 2:18).

What is the reward that they could be cheated out of? (see Col. 3:24)

I do not believe that Paul is referring to our salvation when he talks about reward. Instead, I believe that he is referring to something we will receive in response to our earthly service and obedience to Christ while here (2 Cor. 5:9-10; 1 Cor. 3:9-15; Rev. 22:12).

How do we avoid the deception mentioned in verse 4 and the robbery in verse 8? (see vv.6-7). We have to remain in Christ. We have to be rooted, built up, and established in Him. Everything we will ever need is in Christ. He completes us! The world cannot offer what only Christ can provide (2 Pt. 1:2-4).

Colossians 2:11-15 “11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”

Wrap up with a focus on IN Christ, WITH Christ, IN Him, WITH Him, IN Whom.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (2:13–14)

This new life came when God forgave us all our sins for He canceled the written code. Before God’s written Law, His “written code,” people stood condemned (cf. Rom. 3:19) , so it worked against them and opposed them. But in Christ the Law is fulfilled (Rom. 8:2) and done away with (Gal. 3:25; Heb. 7:12). Legalism is wrong because believers are dead to the Law in Christ. He fulfilled its demands in His life and by His death, and Christians are in Him.