COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:1 FOR THOSE AT LAODICEA. Laodicea
was the nearest city to Colossae, only 9 miles (14.5 km) away (see
note on Rev. 3:14–22). There was a close relationship between these
churches.
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COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:2 The false teachers probably
claimed special knowledge of the mysteries of God’s truth. Paul
insists that CHRIST is GOD’S MYSTERY. All understanding is found in
him.
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COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:3 IN WHOM ARE HIDDEN ALL THE
TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. Jesus is the ultimate keeper of
divine wisdom and spiritual knowledge. Compare Proverbs 2:3.
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COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:4 The Dangerous Teaching at
Colossae. Paul delivers a series of warnings about the teaching that
threatens the Colossian church. In doing so, he also provides
important teaching on the Christians’ new identity in Christ. This
will help them resist the false teachers’... [ Continue Reading ]
COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:5 GOOD ORDER... FIRMNESS. The
Colossians should be like troops ready for battle.
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COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:6 YOU RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS THE
LORD. Paul reminds the Colossians of the foundational teaching of
Epaphras when they first became Christians. At the heart of this is
the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3).
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COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:8 SEE TO IT THAT NO ONE TAKES YOU
CAPTIVE. “Takes you captive” translates a Greek word commonly used
of stealing a ship’s cargo. PHILOSOPHY. The Greek for this word
suggests the faction’s leaders called their teaching “the
philosophy.” Paul is not condemning all tradi... [ Continue Reading ]
COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:9 IN HIM THE WHOLE FULLNESS OF DEITY
DWELLS BODILY. Jesus is God in the flesh (see Colossians 1:15).
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COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:10 YOU HAVE BEEN FILLED IN HIM.
Believers share in Christ’s power and authority over every RULE AND
AUTHORITY through their union with him. Here is the letter’s main
theme. The divine “fullness” is in Christ (v. Colossians 2:9), and
believers are “filled in him.” They... [ Continue Reading ]
COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:11 IN HIM ALSO YOU WERE CIRCUMCISED.
Paul here uses circumcision to picture a spiritual (MADE WITHOUT
HANDS) action. He describes it as PUTTING OFF THE BODY OF THE FLESH.
Believers no longer live in the power and under the influence of the
flesh (Galatians 5:24). They... [ Continue Reading ]
COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:12 BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM...
ALSO RAISED WITH HIM.... MADE ALIVE TOGETHER WITH HIM. Baptism
represents an identification with Christ in his death (compare Romans
6:4). It also symbolizes his resurrection (compare Ephesians 2:6).
Dying and rising with Christ symbol... [ Continue Reading ]
COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:14 RECORD OF DEBT. Paul uses this
legal term to describe each person’s debt to God because of sin. God
himself has mercifully resolved this debt by NAILING IT TO THE CROSS,
where Jesus paid the penalty. The image comes from the notices posted
on a cross by the Roman a... [ Continue Reading ]
COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:15 HE DISARMED THE RULERS AND
AUTHORITIES. On the cross, demonic powers were stripped of their power
to accuse Christians before God. PUT THEM TO OPEN SHAME. This is the
same term used in Matthew 1:19 to refer to Joseph’s unwillingness to
expose Mary to public shame.... [ Continue Reading ]
COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:16 FOOD AND DRINK... A FESTIVAL OR A
NEW MOON OR A SABBATH. The false teacher(s) claimed that some Jewish
ceremonies were essential for spiritual advancement. On “new
moon,” see note on Num. 28:11–15.
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COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:17 A SHADOW OF THE THINGS TO COME.
The old covenant ceremonies pointed to a future reality that was
fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ (compare Hebrews 10:1). Thus
Christians are no longer under the Mosaic covenant (see Romans 6:14; 2
Corinthians 3:4; Galatians 3:15).... [ Continue Reading ]
COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:18 Paul lists a variety of ways the
false teachers had tried to DISQUALIFY the genuine believers in
Colossae. ASCETICISM. Paul probably had in mind fasting and perhaps
the rules mentioned in v. Colossians 2:21. WORSHIP OF ANGELS. Asking
angels for help and protection... [ Continue Reading ]
COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:19 NOT HOLDING FAST TO THE HEAD. The
false teacher at Colossae has not maintained contact with Christ. Thus
the teacher has become influenced by evil spirits (see v. Colossians
2:8). On the church as a body, see Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:1;
Ephesians 4:4, Ephesian... [ Continue Reading ]
COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:20 THE ELEMENTAL SPIRITS. See note
on v. 8.
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COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:21 “DO NOT HANDLE, DO NOT TASTE,
DO NOT TOUCH.” Specific rules the teacher of the false philosophy
insists the Colossians must obey. God does not give these rules; under
the new covenant, the food a person eats is not important in his or
her spiritual life (see Mark 7... [ Continue Reading ]
COLOSSIANS—NOTE ON COLOSSIANS 2:23 SEVERITY TO THE BODY. The fasting
and rules that were part of the behavior encouraged by “the
philosophy.” It may also have included forms of self-mutilation
similar to what was practiced in some of the local cults.
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