Colossians 2 New International Version - UK
(NIVUK)
2
I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea,
and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal 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 disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Spiritual fullness in Christ
6
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives
in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were
taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive
philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual
forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.
9
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in
Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and
authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not
performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh[b] was put off
when you were circumcised by[c] Christ, 12 having been buried with him in
baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the
working of God, who raised him from the dead.
13
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God
made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having cancelled
the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us;
he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the
powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over
them by the cross.[e]
Freedom from human rules
16
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard
to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are
a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in
Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of
angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what
they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.
19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported
and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20
Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,
why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21
‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’? 22 These rules, which have to do
with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely 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.
CHRIST the Divine! From Elim Missions
Colossians 2
He
is not the 2nd most important person of the godhead. That's how we imagine it
though it's unhelpful, because it is wrong! Father, Son and Spirit are equal in
authority.
Why
is He the Son then? Not because of inferiority nor that the Father preceded the
Son in existence.
In
the first century mind to have the son come in place of the father is better
than a colleague or an associate of the person.
The
New Testament writers are saying God cannot come because He hasn't got a body.
But Jesus has come and he is acting as a son. You see Jesus you see the Father.
He is the Son not the way we see sonship but He is Son because He can speak as
God for He is, He can act as God for He IS GOD.
In
v 9 He is Divine.
*So
don't let man ask you to follow Jesus plus. Jesus plus man's traditions. Jesus
plus man's desires and requests. Jesus is enough, He is divine, v6-8.
*Just
as Christ contains the Godhead, so you contain Christ! You belong to Him,
marked with His mark and having had your own resurrection into new life, v9-12.
*And
this is why only Jesus can forgive sins, why only Jesus can give you life and
why only Jesus has defeated the power that stands against you, v13-15.
The IVP New Testament Commentary Series
Paul's Labor for Colosse (2:1-3)
Paul
concludes this section on a more personal note: he not only serves the church
of Christ (1:24) but "struggles" (in cooperation with God; 1:29) for
the congregations at Colosse and Laodicea. Paul's intention is exactly the same
as before: to clarify that the purpose of his ministry is to make known to
every Gentile, including those at Colosse, the mystery of God, namely, Christ
(compare 1:27). He does elaborate on the spiritual purpose of his ministry for
them: that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love and may have
complete understanding . . . and know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.
In
Paul's Jewish psychology the heart symbolizes human volition rather than human
emotion; the hard decisions of an embattled life are made by the believer's
heart, fortified and matured by the mystery of God. Paul's gospel ministry
strengthens the Colossians against false teaching so that they are able to make
decisions that please God. The word translated "united" (symbibazo)
means literally to be "knit together" and refers to an action that
naturally follows after (if not also from) a fortified heart. That is, the
purpose of Paul's ministry (presumably his proclamation of the gospel, and his
pastoral admonishment and instruction; 1:28) is corporate: that the
congregation weld well together in mutual love.
The
truth of one's message is discerned in a very practical way, then—by whether or
not a loving community is formed. False teaching or even a wrong emphasis often
creates factions, with the result that the gospel's ministry is undermined. A
Christian witness to God's grace is too difficult to maintain in a graceless
society without the loving support and firm resolve provided by a people.
Paul's use of the body metaphor for the church (compare 1:18; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4)
implies this same lesson.
The
NIV links the next couplet, understanding and knowledge, with the first
couplet, encouragement and unity, as Paul's overarching purpose for the Gentile
mission. But rather than taking these couplets as describing the congregations
that resulted from Paul's campaigns, it seems best to understand them as
describing the evangelistic campaigns themselves. Harris, for example,
interprets the two couplets as comprising the specific objectives of Paul's
ministry (1991:81) and perhaps even of this letter to them. If anything, Paul's
earlier petition for "knowledge and understanding" (1:9-10) seems to
indicate that the congregation will be spiritually healthy only if they know
the gospel that Epaphras first preached to them. That is, the qualities of the
productive minister are reproduced in his congregations.
In
this light, the genitives used by Paul in this passage to modify understanding
("complete") and knowledge ("the mystery of God"; compare
1:27) are particularly important. In the first case, complete translates
plerophoria (literally, "full accomplishment"), another in the family
of plero- words that Paul has already used (see 1:9 and 1:25) for his aim to
teach the congregation a fuller, more complete understanding of the gospel: to
fill in what spiritual competencies they lack. In the second case, the phrase
mystery of God supplies the core content of the complete gospel—namely, Christ.
Clearly,
verse 3 is parallel to verse 2 in thought. The idea contained in the phrase
full riches of complete understanding is virtually repeated in the following
phrase, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, so that the idea of mystery
finds a parallel in the word hidden. Significantly, sandwiched between these
two parallel phrases is their focal point: Christ, in whom all these mysterious
riches and hidden treasures of God's mystery are disclosed by the preaching of
Paul's gospel. Remember that for Paul the biblical Jew, the mysteries of God's
treasured salvation lie hidden within Scripture and are mined by exegesis; and
for Paul the Christian missionary, the proclaimed faith is a christological
monotheism, and so the wonderful riches of our faith are both deposited and
drawn through Christ.
Simply
put, spiritual maturity results from knowing Christ. The distinctive emphasis
in this letter on wisdom (1:9, 28; 2:3, 23; 3:16; 4:5), knowledge (1:9-10, 27;
2:2-3; 3:10; 4:7-9) and knowing (1:6; 2:1; 3:24; 4:1, 6, 8), especially linked
to Paul's proclamation of Christ, is no doubt made with Paul's Colossian
opponents in mind. They too are concerned with ideas, but their
"philosophy" is not centered by the teaching of and about Christ
(2:8) and therefore is "hollow and deceptive," incapable of forming
the spiritual life of the Christian congregation (2:6-7).
The IVP New Testament Commentary Series
The Trustworthiness of His Message (2:6-7)
By
repeating the main point of the previous verse, Paul adds to its meaning and
importance. The expression received Christ Jesus as Lord probably does not
refer to a conversion decision. In fact, I doubt that Paul would think of
conversion, much less salvation, as conditioned upon a personal declaration of
Jesus' lordship. Rather, the word received (paralambano) suggests the passing
of a sacred tradition from one group of believers to the next. Given Paul's
earlier references to Epaphras (1:6-7) and to his own mission (1:23—2:3), this
phrase probably refers to the spiritual heritage of his Colossian readers, who
received their theological understanding, confessed in 1:13-23, from Paul's
Gentile mission and particularly from Epaphras. This is their tradition, their
sacred heritage, the religious roots that continue to mark out the boundaries
of their life together in Christ. Significantly, Paul makes this point in the
indicative mood—that is, what they have received from Epaphras indicates the
fact of their conversion to Christianity.
In
contrast, the next phrase, continue to live in him, is stated in the imperative
mood, asserting the behavior that logically and necessarily must result from
the theological conviction that Jesus Christ is the Lord of all things. Among
aboriginal people in Australia, males go on a "walk-about" as part of
their rite of passage into manhood: they travel alone across their land to
become familiar with it and thus a part of it. The Greek word for live
(peripateo) literally means to "walk about." According to Paul, our
trust in the received gospel of God's grace through Christ results in a
"walk about" in him; we become familiar with him and a part of him.
The apostle often sets indicative statements about God's salvation next to
imperative statements about our response to God in order to show their close,
even logical relationship. To embrace the truth about God's Christ is to live
in him.
Our
passage into Christ transforms the way we live. The four participles that
follow in verse 7 express four characteristics of the Christian's "walk about."
Each is stated in the passive voice because each is given by God's grace rather
than acquired by human effort. The first two, rooted and built, are metaphors
of growth, envisaging the dynamic character of Christian nurture, while the
second two, strengthened . . . and overflowing, are metaphors of worship,
envisaging the spiritual results of devotion to God. The two couplets are
naturally related, since the nurture of Christ's community is facilitated by
corporate acts of worship, when it is taught the faith it has received and
offers its thanksgiving to God.
The Bible Panorama
Colossians 2
V 1–5: ENCOURAGED Paul wants to encourage
the hearts both of the Colossians and the Laodiceans so that each fellowship of
Christians will increase in love to one another, with assurance and
understanding of God’s message. That
assurance concerns what God has done in Christ, and is the basis of all our
wisdom and knowledge. His ‘great conflict’ is his concern that they should not
be deceived by anybody. He encourages them by rejoicing at their good order and
their steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus.
V 6–7: ESTABLISHED His desire is to see
them established like a well-rooted tree or a building with good foundations.
As they have received Christ, so they must walk in Him with faith and
thanksgiving.
V 8–10:
EMPTINESS People seeking to persuade them through worldly philosophy and
deceit are empty and have nothing to offer from this world. It is only in Jesus
Christ that all the Godhead dwells bodily and therefore it is only in Him that
each Christian is complete. Jesus is over all and more powerful than all.
V 11–19: EMANCIPATED Christ has put off the
sins of those who trust in Him, by spiritual circumcision. Baptism reminds them
of a new life through death to the old sinful life and benefiting from the
eternal life given by the resurrected Christ. There is no power in claiming
that they must now keep to man-made ordinances. They have been emancipated from
that by the risen Christ. Thus man-made laws are not to enslave them, whether
in the form of dietary laws, man-made festivals, or additional sabbath days.
Any man-made system of worship, including angel worship, comes from false humility
and a proud mind. Our freedom depends
upon being under the headship of Christ, over the body of the church. Each
Christian is part of that body and takes his directions from Christ.
V 20–23: EXHORTED Paul now exhorts the
Colossians to avoid legalistic man-made rules which will perish along with
every other man-made commandment and teaching. They may have an attraction of
organised religion, false humility, and abstaining from things, but can do
nothing to forgive sins or combat the inward pull of the old nature. Only
Christ can do that.
Dictionary of Bible Themes
8236 doctrine, purpose of
Sound
doctrine is intended to shape and mould the people of God for life and service
in the world.
The
purpose of doctrine for the individual
It
leads to repentance 2Ti 2:25
It
leads to salvation 1Ti 4:16 See also Jn 20:31; 1Co 1:21-24; 2Ti 3:14-15
It
is necessary for Christian maturity and effective service 2Ti 3:16-17 See also
Ps 19:7-8; Ac 2:42-43; Eph 4:11-14; Heb 5:13-14
It
makes possible a defence of the faith 1Pe 3:15-16 See also Col 2:2-4; Jude 3
It
leads to enrichment and blessing Dt 32:1-4 See also Ps 19:7-11; Ps 119:97-104;
Isa 55:10-13; Eze 3:1-3
It
leads to perfection Col 1:28
Doctrine
as the basis of faithful ministry in the church
Tit
1:9 See also 1Ti 4:6,13-16; 2Ti 1:13-14; 2Ti 2:2; Tit 2:1
Some
Scripture on the importance of Sound Doctrine
1.
Doctrine is necessary
for Christian maturity and effective service
2
Timothy 3:14-17New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
14
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of,
because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you
have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful
for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that
the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hebrews
5:11-14New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Warning
against falling away
11
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because
you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to
be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word
all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk,
being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained
themselves to distinguish good from evil.
2.
Doctrine as the basis of faithful ministry
in the church
Titus
1:5-9New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Appointing
elders who love what is good
5
The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left
unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder
must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and
are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer
manages God’s household, he must be blameless – not overbearing, not
quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest
gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is
self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught,
so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose
it.
Titus
2:1 & 15 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Doing
good for the sake of the gospel
2
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine…..15 These,
then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority
2
Timothy :1b -2, 14-16,23-24 2 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
, be strong in the grace that
is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the
presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be
qualified to teach others…..14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things.
Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and
only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one
approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles
the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it
will become more and more ungodly….. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish
and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s
servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach,
not resentful.
