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Colossians Chapter Two

 
Chapter Two General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To see the relation between understanding the "mystery of God" and
 having a strong assurance of our salvation
 
2) To appreciate how baptism serves as our spiritual circumcision, and
 that it is a work of God which is performed, not a work of man
 
3) To understand how Christ brought an end to the Old Law by His death
 on the cross
 
SUMMARY
 
Paul reveals his great concern for those at Colosse and others he has
not seen, expressing his desire that their hearts be knit together in
love, and that they may have the assurance that comes from an
understanding of the mystery of God as revealed through Christ. He
rejoices in their good order and steadfastness, and encourages them to
be firmly established in Christ, abounding in thanksgiving (1-7).
 
The word "Beware" in verse eight summarizes the rest of the chapter, in
which Paul warns them of the dangers of "The Colossian Heresy". These 
dangers include being cheated through philosophy and vain deceit, and 
defrauded of their reward by those who appeal to false humility, the 
worship of angels, false visions, and strict regulations according to 
the commandments and doctrines of men which really have no value 
against the indulgence of the flesh. In Christ they are made complete,
having undergone a circumcision not made with hands, in which God made
them alive together with Christ. Since Christ has also nailed to the
cross the "handwriting of requirements" that was against them and taken
it out of the way, none can judge them regarding religious observances
that were only a shadow pointing to the true substance of Christ
(8-23).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. PAUL'S SOLICITUDE (1-7)
 
 A. HIS GREAT CONCERN FOR THEM (1-3)
 1. He has a great conflict for those...
 a. In Colosse and Laodicea (1a)
 b. Who have not seen his face in the flesh (1b)
 2. His desire is that...
 a. Their hearts be encouraged, knit together in love (2a)
 b. They attain to all the riches of:
 1) The full assurance of understanding (2b)
 2) The knowledge of the mystery of God (2c)
 a) Both of the Father and of Christ (2d)
 b) In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and 
 knowledge (3)
 
 B. REASONS FOR THIS CONCERN (4-5)
 1. Lest anyone deceive them with persuasive words (4)
 2. Though absent in the flesh, he is present with them in spirit
 (5a)
 3. He rejoices to see...
 a. Their good order (5b)
 b. The steadfastness of their faith (5c)
 
 C. EXHORTATIONS TO BE FIRMLY ESTABLISHED IN CHRIST (6-7)
 1. As they have received Christ, so they should walk in Him (6)
 a. Rooted and built up in Him (7a)
 b. Established in the faith (7b)
 -- As they were taught (7c)
 2. Abounding with thanksgiving (7d)
 
II. WARNINGS AGAINST "THE COLOSSIAN HERESY" (8-23)
 
 A. WARNING AGAINST PHILOSOPHY (8-10)
 1. Beware of being cheated by philosophy and empty deceit (8a)
 a. According to the traditions of men (8b)
 b. According to the basic principles of the world (8c)
 -- And not according to Christ (8d)
 2. In Christ dwells the fullness of God, and you are complete in
 Him (9-10)
 a. All the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ (9)
 b. You are complete in Him, who is head over all principality
 and power (10)
 
 B. WARNING AGAINST JUDAISTIC CEREMONIALISM (11-17)
 1. In Christ you have a circumcision made without hands (11-12)
 a. A putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh (11)
  b. Having been buried with Christ in baptism (12)
 1) In which you were also raised with Him (12a)
 2) Through faith in the working of God, who raised Jesus
 from the dead (12b)
 2. You are made alive in Christ, and the handwriting of 
 requirements that was against us has been taken away at the 
 cross (13-15)
 a. Dead in sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God has
 made you alive (13a)
 b. He has forgiven you all trespasses (13b)
 c. He has wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was
 against us (14)
 1) That which was contrary to us (14a)
 2) He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the
 cross (14b)
 d. He has disarmed principalities and powers (15)
 1) Having made a public spectacle of them (15a)
 2) Triumphing over them in it (15b)
 3. Therefore don't let anyone judge you in regards to food, 
 festivals, or sabbath days (16)
 a. They are only a shadow of things to come (17a)
 b. The substance is of Christ (17b)
 
 C. WARNING AGAINST ANGEL WORSHIP (18-19)
 1. Don't let anyone defraud you of your reward (18a)
 a. By taking delight in false humility and worship of angels
 (18b)
 b. By intruding into things not seen, vainly puffed by fleshly
 minds (18c)
 2. Such people do not hold fast to Christ as the Head (19a)
 a. From whom all the body grows (19b)
 b. Nourished and knit together by various elements, with 
 increase from God (19c)
 
 D. WARNING AGAINST ASCETICISM (2:20-23)
 1. There is no need to submit to human ordinances (2:20-22)
 a. For you have died with Christ from basic principles of the
 world (20a)
 b. Therefore do not subject yourselves to ascetic regulations
 (20b)
 1) Such as "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle" (21)
 2) They only concern things which perish with the using
 (22a)
 3) Which are according to commandments and doctrines of men
 (23)
 2. Such practices are of no value (23)
 a. They may have an appearance of wisdom in their...
 1) Self-imposed religion (23a)
 2) False humility (23b)
 3) Neglect of the body (23c)
 b. But they are no value against the indulgence of the flesh
 (23d)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Paul's solicitude (1-7)
 - Warnings against the "Colossian Heresy" (8-23)
 
2) What was Paul's strong desire for those he had not seen? (1-2)
 - That their hearts may be encouraged, knit together in love
 - That they may be richly blessed by the assurance that comes from
 an understanding and knowledge of the mystery of God
 
3) What is "hidden" in Christ? (3)
 - All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
 
4) What had Paul seen in the Colossians that caused him to rejoice? (5)
 - Their good order and steadfastness of faith in Christ
 
5) How were the Colossians to walk in Christ? (6-7)
 - Rooted and built up in Him
 - Established in the faith
 - Abounding with thanksgiving
 
6) What three things might be used to "cheat" us? (8)
 - Philosophy and empty deceit
 - Tradition of men
 - Basic principles of the world
 
7) What is said about Jesus in relation to the Godhead? (9)
 - In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily
 
8) What is our condition in Christ? (10)
 - We are complete in Him
 
9) What sort of "circumcision" have we had in Christ? (11)
 - One made without hands
 - A putting off the body of the sins of the flesh
 
10) What takes place in baptism? Who is the one at work in baptism?
 (12-13)
 - We are buried with Christ, raised with Christ, made alive together
 with Christ
 - God, who raised Jesus from the dead
 
11) What did Christ take out of the way, having nailed it to the cross?
 (14)
 - The "handwriting of requirements"
 
12) In what things should we not let others judge us? (16-17)
 - In food or drink
 - Regarding religious festivals, a new moon or sabbaths
 
13) In what ways might people seek to defraud us? (18)
 - Through false humility, worship of angels, appeals to things not
 really seen
 
14) What sort of "basic principles of the world" might others try to
 regulate upon us? (21)
 - "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle"
 
15) What is the truth about such traditions of men? (22-23)
 - They have an appearance of wisdom, but are of no value against the
 indulgence of the flesh
 
Spiritual Maturity In Christ (2:1-8)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In Co 1:28-29, we saw that Paul's primary goal in his labors was to
 "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." That is, that they be
 "spiritually mature in Christ."
 
2. This being the case, we are not surprised to find Paul now writing to
 the Colossians of:
 a. His great concern for them - Co 2:1-3
 b. The reason for this concern - Co 2:4-5
 c. Some exhortations in light of his concern - Co 2:6-8
 
3. From these eight verses, there are a couple of things we can glean
 concerning the subject of "Spiritual Maturity In Christ"
 
[First, from verses 1-5 we can take note of several...]
 
I. INDICATIONS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY (1-5)
 
 A. A DEEP CONCERN FOR OUR BRETHREN IN CHRIST (1)
 1. Remember that Paul is an example of spiritual maturity and thus
 worthy of our emulation - 1 Co 11:1
 2. We see that he had a concern for his brethren (notice 2 Co 11:
 28-29 also), even for those he personally had not seen!
 3. Epaphras likewise demonstrated this "mark" of maturity - Co 4:
 12-13
 4. Do we have such concern for our brethren?
 
 B. A HEART THAT IS ENCOURAGED (2)
 1. The KJV uses the word "comforted"
 2. It is the Will of God that we serve Him with hearts that are
 full of comfort and encouragement
 a. Such was the concern of Jesus - Lk 21:34; Jn 14:1,27
 b. Such was the frequent prayer of Paul - 2 Th 2:16-17
 3. A "troubled, anxious heart" is not the mark of a mature
 Christian!
 4. Consider the example of Paul in facing impending death - 2 Ti
 4:6-8,17-18
 
 C. A HEART KNIT TOGETHER IN LOVE WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS (2)
 1. I.e., a love similar to that experienced by David and Jonathan 
 - 1 Sa 18:1
 2. The brethren at Colosse were well on their way in this regard 
 - Co 1:4
 3. How about us? Are we developing hearts "knit together in
 love"?
 
 D. A FULL ASSURANCE OF UNDERSTANDING (2)
 1. Similar to having hearts that are encouraged, we need to have a
 strong assurance concerning ourselves and our salvation!
 2. Of course, this assurance comes as we increase our
 "understanding" concerning the basis of our salvation
 3. Indeed, the Word of God was so written to increase that
 understanding, and provide the assurance of our salvation 
 - 1 Jn 5:13; 3:19; note also Ro 15:4
 4. As one matures in Christ, this "assurance" will increase, and
 it is indeed one of the "riches" we have in Christ!
 
 E. A KNOWLEDGE OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD (2)
 1. I.e., an understanding of the gospel, which once was hidden,
 but has now been revealed - cf. Ep 3:3-6; Ro 16:25-26
 2. Thus, a good knowledge of the gospel of Christ is essential to
 maturity in Christ
 3. Are we increasing in this knowledge?
 
 F. GOOD ORDER AND STEADFASTNESS OF FAITH (5)
 1. The word "order"...
 a. From taxis {tax'-is}, a military term, suggestive of men
 marching in proper order and precision, as in a drilling
 exercise
 b. This suggests that a mature Christian is one whose walk as a
 disciple is in proper line with what is expected
 2. The word "steadfastness" is a word which goes right along with
 this idea of marching in a straight line
 3. What is our "life of faith" like?
 a. Are we progressing in order, steadfast in our progress?
 b. Or are we wavering constantly?
 
[These are but a few indications of spiritual maturity. If they are 
found in our lives, it is a good sign that progress is being made!
 
From verses 6-8, we can also learn of some...]
 
II. STEPS TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY (6-8)
 
 A. RECEIVE CHRIST AS "LORD" (6)
 1. This the Colossians had done
 2. Today, many seem to want Jesus just as a "Savior," but not as
 "Lord"
 3. That is, they profess to want Him as "their personal Savior,"
 but then do not obey Him in what He commands them
 4. Yet God has made Him both! - cf. Ac 2:36
 5. Until we enthrone Christ as Lord in our lives, we cannot hope
 to become "perfect" (complete, mature) in Christ
 6. Again, Paul provides a good example - e.g., Ga 2:20
 
 B. WALK IN CHRIST (6-7)
 1. Having received Christ as Lord, we must now "walk" (or live)
 in Him
 2. Verse 7 explains what it means to "walk in Christ"
  a. "rooted" - Christ must be the FOUNDATION and SOURCE OF
 NUTRITION in our lives (like tree depends upon its roots)
 b. "built up in Him" - allowing ourselves to become the kind of
 building He would have us to be
  c. "established in the faith" - well taught and grounded in the
 teachings of Christ, and living by them
 d. "abounding in it with thanksgiving" - ever overflowing with
 an attitude of gratitude
 
 C. BEWARE... (8)
 1. To grow spiritually, we must beware of dangers which would
 hinder our spiritual growth
 2. Otherwise, in our zeal to grow we can easily be misled by false
 doctrines which promise an easy route to spiritual maturity,
 but do not deliver on that promise!
 3. Thus the need for "negative preaching" as the occasion may call
 for it
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Our next lesson will look at some of those false doctrines those at
 Colosse were facing which promised much, but gave nothing of true
 value
 
2. For the moment, let's close by asking two questions:
 a. Why should we even be concerned with growing in spiritual maturity
 in Christ?
 1) Because in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
 knowledge" - Co 2:3
 2) Because He has warned of what will occur if we do not mature
 and "bear fruit" - Jn 15:1-2
 b. How does one initially receive Christ as Lord?
 1) By doing what He says, i.e., the Father's will - Lk 6:46; Mt
 7:21
 2) This includes the command to repent and be baptized, for in so
 doing one receives the remission of sins as they also "put on
 Christ" (i.e., "receive Christ") - Ac 2:36-38; Ga 3:26-27

Believer, Beware! (2:9-23)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. It was Paul's desire that his brethren be "perfect (complete) in
 Christ" - Co 1:28; 2:1-3
 
2. But there were influences at Colosse which endangered their 
 salvation, against which Paul warns in Co 2:8-23
 
3. As we consider what those threats were, we see similar threats today
 as well!
 
4. In other words, subtle (and some not so subtle) influences which may
 promise us much, but can easily lead us away from Christ!
 
[For example, we notice from verses 8-10 that at Colosse there was the
danger of...]
 
I. PHILOSOPHIES AND TRADITIONS OF MEN (8-10)
 
 A. THE DANGER OF MAN-MADE PHILOSOPHY AND TRADITION...
 1. They "cheat" you
 a. They don't deliver what they may promise
 b. They can even cheat you of your salvation!
 1) By rendering our worship and service to God as "vain"
 2) As Jesus warned in Mt 15:9
 2. This they do through "empty deceit"
 a. It is not evident (otherwise, none would accept it)
 b. But like many of the workings of Satan, it is through
 "deception"
 
 B. WE ARE FACED WITH SIMILAR INFLUENCES TODAY...
 1. The "philosophies" of:
 a. Atheism
 b. Evolution
 c. Humanism
 2. The "traditions of men," found rampant in:
 a. Protestant denominations
 b. Catholicism (both "Roman" and "Orthodox")
 c. Various cults
 3. Though these "philosophies" and "traditions of men" may possess
 a lot of truth, it is the error in them that can lead one away
 from the pure and simple doctrine of Jesus Christ!
 
 C. WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND...
 1. In "Jesus Christ" are found ALL the treasures of wisdom and
 knowledge - Co 2:3
 2. In "Jesus Christ" is to be found the FULLNESS of the Godhead
  bodily - Co 2:9
 3. In "Jesus Christ" we are COMPLETE - Co 2:10
 4. As Peter wrote in his second epistle: "Grace and peace be
 multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our
 Lord, as His divine power has given to us ALL things that
 pertain to life and godliness , through the knowledge of Him
 who called us by glory and virtue," - 2 Pe 1:2-3
 
[So "Believer, Beware!" when anyone suggests that we need the
philosophies or traditions of men in addition to or instead of Jesus
Christ!
 
In verses 11-17, Paul deals with what was a real problem in the first
century church...]
 
II. JUDAISTIC CEREMONIALISM (11-17)
 
 A. THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH...
 1. Many Jewish Christians felt it necessary for Gentile Christians
 to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in ADDITION to
 following Christ - cf. Ac 15:1-5
 2. The early church had to constantly deal with this problem
 a. Which they did at Jerusalem (where the problem originated) 
 - Ac 15:6-27
 b. Which Paul did in writing Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and
 Colossians
 3. Here in Co 2:11-17, Paul deals with the problem by pointing
 out:
 a. Through baptism into Christ, we experience the "true
 circumcision", which is a cutting away of the sins of the
 flesh - Co 2:11-13
 b. By His death on the cross, Jesus has taken the Old Law out
 of the way - Co 2:14-15 (cf. Ep 2:14-16)
 c. Therefore, we are to let no one try to judge (condemn) us
 in matters of the Old Law - Co 2:16-17
 
 B. TODAY, THERE ARE MANY WHO STILL TRY TO BIND THE OLD LAW UPON 
 CHRISTIANS...
 1. Various denominations with their Sabbaths and food regulations
 2. Other religions with their separate priesthood and many other
 practices, based upon the Old Testament, and not the New!
 
 C. AS THOSE IN CHRIST...
 1. We have died to the Law and Jewish ceremonialism (this 
 especially pertains to Jewish Christians) - Ro 7:1-6
 2. We have been set free, and need to beware of becoming 
 "entangled again with a yoke of bondage." - Ga 5:1
 3. If we seek justification by our observance of things found in
 the Old Law, we are fallen from grace! - Ga 5:2-4
 
[So "Believer, Beware!" when people try to impose things upon you which
are based upon the Law of Moses. Remember, "you are complete in HIM."
 
In verses 18-19, we see there was still another danger at Colosse...]
 
III. THE WORSHIP OF ANGELS (18-19)
 
 A. WHY WOULD PEOPLE WORSHIP ANGELS?
 1. Perhaps because they felt angels were needed as "intercessors"
 2. Perhaps with "a sense of humility", they felt they could not go
 to God (or even Jesus) directly
 
 B. THE PROBLEM WITH ANGEL WORSHIP...
 1. It is actually the result of a "false humility" and based upon
 one's "vain imagination" - Co 2:18 (cf. He 4:14-16, where
 we learn we can "come boldly to the throne of grace")
 2. It actually diverts one away from Christ, the rightful "Head of
 the body" - Co 2:19
 a. For this reason, angels refused any semblance of worship -
 Re 22:8-9
 b. And so did the apostle Peter - Ac 10:25-26
 
 C. TODAY, SOME RELIGIONS HAVE DEVELOPED A COUNTERPART TO THE WORSHIP
 OF ANGELS...
 1. E.g., Catholicism with its veneration of Mary and the "saints"
 2. The reasoning is similar: "humility" ("We need them to 
 intercede for us")
 3. Though an attempt is made to distinguish between "veneration"
 and "worship", in practice the distinction is lost among the
 average person
 4. And the result is still the same: "not holding fast to the
 Head," venerating other beings rather than Christ!
 
[Finally, from verses 20-23 we can glean that there was the problem
of...]
 
IV. ASCETICISM (20-23)
 
 A. ASCETICISM HAS OFTEN BEEN OFFERED AS A KEY TO "SELF-CONTROL"
 1. Such as fasting and other forms of abstinence
 2. Or self-flagellation (beating one's self with whips)
 
 B. BUT ASCETICISM IS OF NO REAL VALUE AGAINST THE "INDULGENCE OF THE
 FLESH"
 1. As Paul points out in Co 2:23
 2. Indeed, transformation comes through "renewing the MIND", not
 afflicting the BODY
 a. As Paul wrote in Ro 12:1-2
 b. Yes, those who "set their minds on the things of the Spirit"
 are the ones "who live according to the Spirit" - Ro 8:5
 1) They are the ones who by the Spirit will be able to "put
 to death the deeds of the body" - Ro 8:13
 2) For the "fruit of the Spirit" includes self-control - Ga
 5:22-23
 
 C. TODAY, WE MUST BEWARE OF THE FALSE CLAIMS OF ASCETICISM!
 1. Fasting may have a place in the lives of Christians - cf. Ac
 13:2-3; 14:23; 1 Co 7:5; 2 Co 11:27
 a. But not for the purpose of developing self-control!
 b. Rather as a means of humbling oneself before God as we pray,
 that God might hear our prayer - cf. Ezr 8:21; Mt 6:17-18
 2. Those religions that would teach various forms of "asceticism"
 as a means of developing spiritual maturity would have us
 believe that "the secret" is in such "neglect of the body" 
 3. But Christ is "the secret", and by holding fast to Him we find
 the ability to "crucify the flesh with its passions and 
 desires." - Ga 5:24
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. As we live the Christian life, attempting to mature spiritually,
 beware of any doctrine or teaching of man that suggests we need more
 than Jesus Christ!
 
2. Remember, He is "THE" way (not "A" way) - Jn 14:6
 
3. And we are COMPLETE in Him!
 
Are you IN Him? - cf. Ga 3:26-27...

－－《Executable Outlines》