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Paul opens this chapter by sharing his deep concern and struggle for believers he has never met personally, including those in Colossae and nearby Laodicea (v. 1). His desire is that they would be encouraged in heart, united in love, and filled with a full assurance of understanding—knowing that God’s mystery is Christ Himself (v. 2). In Jesus alone are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, which means no secret insight, mystical experience, or spiritual elite can offer something Christ lacks (vv. 3–4). Paul rejoices that the Colossians are standing firm, and he urges them to continue living the same way they began: rooted, built up, and established in Christ, overflowing with thanksgiving (vv. 5–7).
Paul then issues a strong warning: do not be taken captive by teaching that sounds wise but is rooted in human tradition and spiritual powers rather than Christ (v. 8). The reason believers can resist such deception is because Jesus is fully God—the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily in Him—and believers have already been made complete in Him (vv. 9–10). Through union with Christ, they have experienced a true spiritual transformation: a “circumcision made without hands,” burial and resurrection with Christ, forgiveness of sins, and new life by God’s power (vv. 11–13). At the cross, God canceled the record of debt due for our sin that stood against us and decisively defeated the spiritual rulers and authorities, triumphing over them through Christ (vv. 14–15).
Because of this finished work, Paul warns the Colossians not to let anyone judge or disqualify them based on food laws, religious festivals, Sabbaths, ascetic practices, angel worship, or mystical visions (vv. 16–18). These things may look spiritual, but they are only shadows; the substance belongs to Christ (v. 17). True growth comes from holding fast to Christ the Head, from whom the whole body grows with a growth that is from God (v. 19). Since believers have died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world, submitting again to human rules and self-made religion is both unnecessary and powerless to restrain sin (vv. 20–23).
🌀 Reflection:
Where are you tempted to look for “more” than Christ—whether through rules, experiences, or approval—and how does Paul’s reminder of Christ’s sufficiency challenge that impulse?
💬 Mission Challenge:
Gently encourage someone who feels spiritually inadequate by pointing them to the truth that, in Christ, they are already complete.
Click here to return to the contents page for Phase 2.4 — The Savior, His Church, and the Mission.
Just Keith Harris 