Chapter 2

2:1–3

The problem that all Christian communities were facing is a wrong - mistake - teaching or doctrine. Paul is concerned about it. His aim is to lead all those communities - even those who do not know him personally- to grasp the mystery of God - Christ.

The awareness of Paul’s struggle for the communities should comfort the readers.

Division is the opposite of love and unity is the mark of love. “Knit together in love”. This unity of love is aimed at understating of all riches [hidden in Christ] and for the the knowledge of Christ.

In Christ - all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (see Is 45:3). Wisdom as the most valuable treasure (Job 28:12–19; Prov 3:13–15).

By learning Christ, we can unearth the hidden treasure of wisdom and knowledge. But, it can remain hidden to the unbelievers and immoral (1 Cor 1:18; 2:6–8; 2 Cor 4:3–4; Eph 1:12; 2 Thess 2:11).

2:4 - If some teachers try to move the Colossians away from Christ, then they simply deceive them with nice words.

2:5 - the letter replaces Paul - it is sign of his presence. Paul praises the Colossians for their order and steadfastness.

2:6–15 - Hold on to true Christ

2:6–7 - Christ is the Lord and the Colossians have accepted this teaching. Now they should walk in Him and root themselves in Him.

The point of reference of faith is apostolic preaching about Christ. This apostolic teaching they have learned from Epaphras and so they should hold on to it. They should also be thankful for receiving this faith.

2:8 - Warning. Philosophy- based on human tradition and the elements of the world - water, earth, fire, and air. Those, who accept such philosophy are robbed - of Christ? True wisdom of the Gospel? Christ is the foundation of faith and there cannot be any other.

2:9–15 - shows how powerful Christ is

  1. In Christ - not in nature (pantheism) - reside all the fullness of Godhead in bodily form - that is an amazing statement. Why then look somewhere else?
  2. In Christ the Colossians having been filled [with grace];
  3. Christ is also the head of every principalities;
  4. In Christ there is the circumcision of the heart (baptism) - it removes the body (soma) of sins of the flesh (sarks). Circumcision was a removal a certain part of male body. But baptism removes the entire body of sins of the flesh.
  5. Baptism - signifies death and resurrection. Resurrection is connected with faith in God, who raised Christ (see Rom 6:3–5). Notice, the baptized are already raised.
  6. Before baptism - the Colossians were dead; after baptism they were brought to life with Christ (unity with Christ).
  7. How could it be? God has forgiven all trespasses.
  8. There stands a handwriting of ordinances - demands which were not met - against each one of us. Who wrote that handwriting? (see Rev 12:10). Together with Christ’s death that handwriting was nailed to the cross.
  9. The cross also “put off” or disarmed the rulers and the authorities. Defeated, those powers are marched in front of the world to see. Thus, they lost any power over Christians.

2:16–23 - against false asceticism

2:16–17 - We saw a similar approach in Galatians. The so-called Judaizantes wanted to impose certain rules regarding foods and feasts.

Here, we have again the Christian principle that the Old Testament, the Law of Moses, was pointing to its future - namely the New Testament and Christ.

2:18–19 - humility and worshiping angels is presented as an outcome of human thinking - fleshy mind. Some text describe humility with adjective ‘false humility’ and add ‘exaggerated’ to worshiping. We see in Rev the critic against worshiping angels (Rev 19:10; 22:8–9). In the letter to the Hebrews we have a clear explanation of the function of the angels (Heb 1:14).

On the opposite side is the Church - the community of believers holding strongly to Christ.

2:20–23

“Died with Christ” means leaving behind the former ways of life.

“Rudiments - stoicheion”

the elements from which all things have come, the material causes of the universe;
the heavenly bodies, either as parts of the heavens or because in them the elements of man, life and destiny were supposed to reside.

“Living in the world”. Dying with Christ means dying to the worldly standards of living and thinking.

An example of living in the world is the false asceticism. The things of this world are meant for ‘corruption’ with its usage. Although these regulations seems to have wisdom in itself, but their have behind:

  1. Self-imposed worship (of angels)?
  2. Humility - putting oneself down;
  3. Severity of body.

There is a quote from Is 29:13 - a critic of the people whose religion is just lip service

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