Colossians 2 — Established in Christ
Introduction: Paul stated in Colossians chapter one that he was writing to saints who had Christ in them as a sure hope of glory, and his words apply to saints of today as well. Saints should be filled with the knowledge of God’s will from His Word, having spiritual understanding and wisdom as they continue to grow in the Lord. In chapter 2 Paul addresses various religious trappings that could actually lead his readers away from Christ. Christ is in us — and we must remain firmly established in Christ.
NOTE: Bible text is from the Modern King James Version unless otherwise designated.
A — Walk in Him, Rooted and Built Up in Christ
Colossians 2 “1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of the understanding, to the full knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And I say this that not anyone should beguile you with enticing words… 6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
Comments: Paul had to strive to teach Christ and exhort Christians, using not his own strength, but the power of God working within him (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:2). Saints must develop toward one another godly love in action, or all other pursuits will be in vain. John 13:35 says “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” All knowledge and wisdom needed is available in scripture. While physically separated, Paul could be with the saints in the spirit through intercessory prayer. He exhorted them to continue behaving in a manner to evidence that they had received Christ Jesus as their Lord — remaining rooted and built up in Jesus, established in the faith as already taught, and abounding in that faith with thanksgiving. Deuteronomy 10:12 asks “what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him.” Ephesians 2:10 adds that we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
B — Beware of Philosophy and Vain Deceit
Colossians 2 “8 Beware lest anyone rob you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements 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, 11 in whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in whom also you were raised through the faith of the working of God, raising Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.”
Comments: Teaching which concentrates on keeping rules from man’s philosophy and tradition can actually rob saints of what they have in Christ, carrying them away as spoils of war to the enemy camp. Isaiah 29:13 warns of those who honor God with lips while their heart is far from him, which Jesus applied to the Pharisees (Mark 7:5–7), and he warned of false prophets (Matthew 7:15). We are complete in Christ, who is the head of all principality and power (Ephesians 1:21). By faith in Christ our hearts undergo the true circumcision (Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4; Romans 2:28–29; Philippians 3:3), we are buried with him and raised through the faith of the working of God, and all our trespasses are blotted out, nailed to the cross. Romans 4:20–25 shows that faith credited as righteousness applies to us as it did to Abraham.
C — Christ Triumphed over All Rulers and Authorities
Colossians 2 “15 Having stripped rulers and authorities, He made a show of them publicly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbaths. 17 For these are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no one defraud you, delighting in humility and worship of the angels, intruding into things which he has not seen, without a cause being vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding the Head, from whom all the body, having been supplied with the joints and bands, and having been joined together, will grow with the growth of God.”
Comments: The cross was a victory for us through Christ, according to the predetermined plan of God spoken through the prophets (Acts 4:25–28; Acts 13:27–30). The preaching of the cross is still foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:17–18). We must not judge one another in food, drink, holy days, or other traditional observances (Romans 14:13; James 2:8). Claiming to receive messages from angels can become an intrusion into things not truly seen, resulting in pride despite declarations of humility. The vitality and growth of the body always depends on the head — Christ is the head of his body the church, with the head alone deserving honor, glory, and praise (Jeremiah 23:16; Ephesians 5:6; Philippians 2:3).
D — Died with Christ from the Elements of the World
Colossians 2 “20 If then you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to its ordinances: 21 touch not, taste not, handle not; 22 which things are all for corruption in the using, according to the commands and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have a reputation of wisdom in self-imposed worship and humility, and unsparing severity the body, not in any honor for the satisfying of the flesh.”
Comments: Christ is the fulfillment of the law, which was introduced to uncover our sin and lead us to Christ. If we attempt to be righteous before God by observing the law, we cannot succeed because failure in any small part is complete failure. Only Christ the Holy One could fulfill the law for the saints. We are defiled within our hearts, and observing human laws will not heal the heart (Matthew 15:18–20; Mark 7:8–9). Jesus declared the commandments of God far above tradition. Galatians 2:21 says: “if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” The righteousness of Christ given by grace through faith is the mercy of God.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, stir in me an affection for local assemblies of saints that will prompt me to pray for them with a fervent desire to see their hearts comforted, as they are knit together in love, having full assurance of access to all the treasures of wisdom from the Father and from Christ. May we all avoid man’s deceptive principles, but rather remain orderly and steadfast in the teaching of scripture, rooted and built up in Christ. As we rejoice in our walk with you Lord, with thanksgiving, keep us aware of philosophy and vain deceit according to the tradition of men and the elements of the world. For in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and each saint is complete in him: having circumcision not performed by hands, burial with him, and raising from the dead with him — all through the faith in the working of God. All of our trespasses were blotted out and nailed to the cross, in the victory as Christ triumphed over all rulers and authorities, achieving what we could not, while bringing all glory to God. My heart’s desire is to rest fully in the truth that Christ is in me, and I am established in Christ. Amen.
Published 25 August 2006, first issued 25 August 2004