The Epistles · Chapter 2 of 4

Colossians 2

Paul labors in prayer for believers he has never met, longing that they be knit together in love and full assurance, knowing Christ in whom all treasures of wisdom are hidden. He warns them not to be deceived by empty philosophy or human tradition. In Christ dwells all the fullness of God, and in him they are complete. God forgave their sins and disarmed the powers, nailing the record against them to the cross.

What happens in Colossians 2

Paul describes his struggle in prayer for the believers at Colossae and Laodicea, that they would come to full assurance and knowledge of the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. Since they received Christ Jesus as Lord, they are to walk in him, and beware of philosophy and empty deceit that follows human tradition rather than Christ. For in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in him believers are made complete.

Buried with him in baptism and raised through faith, they were made alive with Christ and forgiven all their trespasses. God blotted out the record of debt that stood against them, nailing it to the cross, and disarmed the powers, triumphing openly. Therefore Paul tells them not to let anyone judge them over food, festivals, or Sabbaths, mere shadows of the reality found in Christ, nor be defrauded by false humility or angel worship that has no power against the flesh.

Colossians 2 in context

Colossians was written from prison to a church Paul had not personally founded, facing a strange teaching that mixed Jewish observances, ascetic rules, mystical experiences, and angel worship. Chapter two is Paul's direct answer to this error. He counters every element of the false teaching by exalting the complete sufficiency of Christ, in whom all fullness dwells and through whose cross believers already possess forgiveness, life, and victory.

The chapter is a sustained argument that Christ is enough.

Main themes of Colossians 2

Colossians 2 (KJV)

1For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5For 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. 6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Verses to carry from Colossians 2

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”Colossians 2:9

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”Colossians 2:14

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”Colossians 2:15

Reflection

If Christ holds all the fullness of God and you are complete in him, then no ritual, technique, or spiritual fad can add to what he has already given. Colossians two frees you from anxious striving and empty add-ons. Rest in the finished work of the cross, where your record of debt was canceled and nailed away.

A prayer from Colossians 2