2 For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you and for those in Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ,[a] 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your orderly conduct and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 Watch out that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental principles[b] of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision,[c] by the removal of the body[d] of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God[e] made you[f] alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, 14 erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed[g] the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.
(New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, NRSVue)
2 I want you to realize that I continue to work as hard as I know how for you, and also for the Christians over at Laodicea. Not many of you have met me face-to-face, but that doesn’t make any difference. Know that I’m on your side, right alongside you. You’re not in this alone. 2-4 I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we’ve been shown the mystery! I’m telling you this because I don’t want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or “the Secret.”
5 I’m a long way off, true, and you may never lay eyes on me, but believe me, I’m on your side, right beside you. I am delighted to hear of the careful and orderly ways you conduct your affairs, and impressed with the solid substance of your faith in Christ. 6-7 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.
8-10 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.
11-15 Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It’s not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you’re already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it’s an initiation ritual you’re after, you’ve already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets. (The Message, MSG)
The city of Colossae was located in what is now modern-day Turkey near the cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis. Because of its geographical location on an important East-West trade route, Colossae was exceptionally diverse. Further, it was a cultural crossroads of ideas with Jewish religion, Greek philosophies, and Far Eastern mysticism competing to capture the imaginations and devotion of its inhabitants. In this letter to the Colossians, we learn that these competing ideas—considered by the Early Church to be heretical teaching—continuously filtered into the Colossae Church from within its ranks and outside of it.
The Colossians faced spiritual misinformation from Judaizers, Greek philosophies and the Far East which caused widespread confusion and even enticed some Christians into believing a “watered-down” Gospel. False teachers were teaching that Gentile Christians needed to essentially become “Jews”—and follow Jewish rites such as circumcision, following the Law, keeping kosher dietary laws, and observing Sabbath—in order to become Christians. The author of Colossians writes to ensure that the Colossae Church understands the singular requirement to be a Christian is to center one’s faith in Jesus of Nazareth, as the Christ, and stay faithful to Christ above all else.
BACKGROUND CONTEXT(S) OF THE LESSON
Colossians is one of the disputed letters of Paul—meaning although the letter claims to be written by Paul and Timothy, it was not written by either men. Because its writing style and theological claims are different from the undisputed Pauline letters (Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians and Philemon), biblical scholars agree it was likely written by one of his students in his name. Any use of the name “Paul” is honorific.
Colossians is addressed to the Christian community in Colossae, a church that Paul did not found. However, although these Christians have never met him in person, Paul is yet concerned for their well-being (4:15-16). Colossians 4:7-9 reveals the Church in Colossae is concerned about Paul as well. Therefore, it can be deduced that the churches in Colossae and Laodicea are related to Paul’s missionary ministry through, Epaphras, who co-labored with Paul and is a native of Colossae. Epaphras probably founded churches in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, while Paul’s missionary work took him to Ephesus which lies 100 miles to the west.
In the book of Acts, Luke says that during the two years Paul was in Ephesus, everyone in Asia heard the word of the Lord (Act 19:10.) In Colossians 1:24, Paul says the letter to Colossians was written while he was imprisoned with Epaphras (Philemon 23). If Paul is in fact the writer of Colossians, and it is written while Paul
was in Ephesus, then it can be dated between 52 and 55 CE. However, if the letter is written by one of Paul’s followers—which the accepted scholarly opinion—then the letter is written soon after his death between 62-64CE. Colossians has an epistolary structure as follows:
Greeting: 1:1-2
Thanksgiving: Greeting 1:3-8
Body: 1:9–4:6
Theological Indicative: 1:9 – 2:33
Ethical Imperative: 3:1 – 4:6
Final Greetings and Farewell: 4:7-18i
This week’s lesson text comes from the body of the epistle and discusses imperatives concerning preparing for the battle against false teaching.
2 I want you to realize that I continue to work as hard as I know how for you, and also for the Christians over at Laodicea. Not many of you have met me face-to-face, but that doesn’t make any difference. Know that I’m on your side, right alongside you. You’re not in this alone. 2-4 I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we’ve been shown the mystery! I’m telling you this because I don’t want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or “the Secret.”
In the opening verses of the lesson text, the writer says he works so hard for the Church in Colossae because he wants them to be encouraged—he wants them to have hope in Christ. Even though they have never met “Paul,” he nevertheless wants then to be strengthened for the battle ahead of them. Further, he wants the Colossians to be unified and held together by love that is as durable as tightly woven fabric.
The poetic language underscores the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that are fulfilled in the mystery of Christ. Apprehending this gospel (euangelion in Greek) mystery must extend beyond head knowledge or an intellectual encounter—as was the case with Jewish, Greek and Far-eastern mystical philosophies and religions. Instead, because Christians have been shown the gospel in the flesh of Jesus of Nazareth, they must demonstrate they have fully embraced the gospel by enfleshing—actually living—the gospel.
Verse 4 reveals the writer’s concern that the Colossians were being easily deceived. This should be a major concern for us. The Greek words for the phrase “leading you off,” literally means, “to reason beside something.” Thus, if the target is the truth, there is something alongside it that looks very much like the truth, and one begins to focus upon that, rather than the truth. That is a favorite weapon of the devil. To be deceived is to think we know that something is right, but it is not. Truth and error look almost the same, but one is a counterfeit.
If Christians believe all wisdom and knowledge are revealed in Jesus Christ, and we are called to share this wisdom and knowledge with the world, we must do everything to encourage Christians to intentionally reveal this wisdom and knowledge in our everyday living. We must not take the treasured information about Jesus’ ministry, passion, and resurrection and reduce it to private devotion or religious ritual! The Gospel was never meant to be kept in secret, or only utilized for the Church’s personal benefit. The Gospel was always meant to be lived out loud, in the public square, where everybody can see it and hear it. What’s the point of having the Gospel of Jesus Christ, if we do not share it with a lost, confused, misinformed and misled dying world?
5 I’m a long way off, true, and you may never lay eyes on me, but believe me, I’m on your side, right beside you. I am delighted to hear of the careful and orderly ways you conduct your affairs, and impressed with the solid substance of your faith in Christ. 6-7 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.
In verses 5-7, the writer says the Colossians possess two character traits which will help them combat the false teachers in their midst. First, they have well-ordered, disciplined lives. The Pauline writer delights that the Colossians are disciplined and therefore it will be harder to deceive them. Second, they have a firm faith in Christ. The Colossians clearly understood that Jesus Christ held them close and they remained faithful to him so that it would be more difficult for errant theology to take root among them.
The writer urges the Colossians to resist the false teaching that threatens to take hold in their Church by continuing to live in the way—the doctrine, the teaching, the faith—that they started. They do not need to incorporate new spiritual traditions, to make Christianity become what it is not. As they continue to move forward in Christ, they should simply remain rooted in Christ, build themselves up in Christ, and grower stronger in what they already believe.
Then, the writer says they should do everything with a mindset of thanksgiving. They should stop studying about Jesus and start living like Jesus—in gratitude and thanksgiving. The Colossians already have what they need to live fruitful and productive lives—the euangelion of Jesus Christ—and they have the capacity to be thankful for every moment of their lives. To be thankful means to find something in every situation for which we can genuinely be grateful. Grateful and thankful people don’t have a need to chase “the newest thing” out there. They rest in their relationship with Jesus knowing Jesus is enough.
8-10 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.
These verse 8-10, and 11-15, are a series of warnings (imperatives) against the false teaching that has infiltrated the Colossian Church. The actual word employed here is “kidnapped.” The Pauline writer suggests that the Colossians are in danger of being taken hostage by philosophical ideas that can lead to theological and doctrinal error. Believers who succumb to these errors can be held hostage for years. This is why the writer has harsh language for the false teachers. They are “frauds and thieves who are peddling a counterfeit product.”
In itself, philosophy is not inherently evil. However, the writer is concerned that the Colossians are being seduced by human derived philosophies—with all their rules and regulations—that can enslave generations because no one dares to question these ideas. Several categories of philosophical thinking was popular during the 1st Century CE.
1. Visionary Experiences, Angel Worship, and Asceticism. Various aspects of 1st Century Hellenistic, Jewish, and Far Eastern philosophy emphasized visionary experiences and the angels who were often the guides on these other-worldly supernatural voyages. Angels were often worshipped and venerated for the purpose of magically invoking their presence, power and protection. Then another branch of philosophy called for extreme fasting and asceticism in order to induce visionary states where “higher forms of knowledge” could be accessed in order to enter the heavenly realm.
2. Elemental Spirts and Dualistic Cosmology. These philosophies focus on the elements of the cosmos—earth, fire, water, air—which in Hellenistic thought was under the control of spirts. Along with the sun, moon, stars, and other celestial beings, all of these elements and beings, according to Hellenistic philosophy, controlled the fates of human beings. This is why “Paul” emphasizes Christ’s power, supremacy, and victory over these things.
3. Syncretic Philosophies. These focus on syncretizing Christianity with other belief systems such as Judaism and Hellenistic philosophy to create a new type of religious belief-structure. This is dangerous because it relegates Jesus of Nazareth to second or third place as he is syncretized with other philosophies. This thinking dilutes the gospel—the radically present, humanity filled, messy, incarnational gospel—into just another one of those world religions or philosophies. Jesus is demoted to just another name, as opposed to, “the Name under which every knee shall bow, and tongue confess.”
To combat this heretical teaching, the writer calls the Colossians them back to the truth of what they have already been taught. They must look to Jesus as their plumb line. If they focus on who Jesus is, and what Jesus did, then they will be able to combat this assault of heretical teaching.
11-15 Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It’s not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you’re already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it’s an initiation ritual you’re after, you’ve already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.
In the final verses of the lesson, the writer talks about the Christian’s relationship with Jesus Christ not in terms of his death, burial, and resurrection (this is Pauline thought as explained in Romans 6), but in terms of his circumcision, burial and resurrection. Our fallen, sinful nature is the “foreskin” that needed to be cut away and disposed of so that our true, spiritual nature—in Jesus Christ—may be revealed and may grow. Circumcision is symbolized by the death of Jesus. Baptism symbolizes our death to sin, and our sin being cut off, as we are brought back to new life in Jesus. Our pre-Christian lives were a state of spiritual death, our post-baptism life is new life.
Finally, the Pauline writer declares the forgiveness of sins for which the law condemned us. That condemnation is now removed by the death of Jesus Christ on our behalf. He paid for all our sins—past, present and future. Sin is no longer an issue in our relationship with God. It affects our fellowship but not our relationship. He has fully dealt with it. We need to acknowledge our sin in order to enter into the benefit of that forgiveness, but forgiveness is already there in the heart of God. What a wonderful truth! Paul sees them as nailed to the cross, so they can no longer condemn us.
Want to get more involved at Shiloh?
Browse our Ministries