Colossians 2:1-7

Here is the Word .doc for the following lesson. Colossians Study 7

Walk

As we begin to step into the second chapter of this epistle to the Colossian believers, it would be a good idea to look back at where we’ve come.  Sometimes in our diligence to thoroughly study a book of scripture, we end up losing the theme of it at the expense of its parts.  It’s easy to find meaning in a verse or two that place it in conflict with the book in which it is found.  This is why it’s important, when it’s possible, to read through the book you are studying in its entirety, repeatedly.  It helps keep us from compartmentalizing the pieces and missing the forest for the trees.  What has taken us 6 hours to cover in study would take us 3 minutes to read.   And it is in those broad sweeps that we are able to return our eyes to the whole of a book.  Which in the case of Colossians is the Supremacy of Christ.

To be sure, the entirety of scripture can be said to be all about Christ.  But we do understand that themematically, different portions of the Bible have varying focuses.  And Paul’s letter to Colossae would have to be considered one of the most, if not the most, Christ-centered book in the Bible.  Consider what he has said thus far.

He opens his letter by greeting the “saints in Christ at Colossae”.  Then proceeds to gush forth thanksgiving to God upon hearing that they have come to “faith in Christ Jesus”.  And that the message of the good news of Christ that they heard and believed is also going out to the rest of the world.  Paul then turns from thanksgiving to prayer as he asks that God would fill them with wisdom in order that they live worthily of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Praising God that He has transferred them from a life of darkness to the Kingdom of His beloved Son.  What follows next is one of the most comprehensive, superlative laden, all encompassing descriptions of the power and majesty of Jesus Christ found anywhere in the text of scripture.  In fact it is vv.15-20 that makes up what I would consider to be the theme of Paul’s letter.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him – all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers – all things were created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him. He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross – through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1:15–20, NET)

Standing upon this platform, Paul lays out the all-sufficient reconciling work of Christ in vv.21-23, the sanctifying work of suffering in vv.24-25 and the revealed mystery of Christ and the Church in the remainder of chapter one.  This serves as the foundation and authority for everything else to come in this epistle.  Having been blown away by the awesome scope of Christ’s dominion and power over ALL things, how could this church not sit enraptured at the reading of this letter written to them?  A letter that is about to get very specific about issues, troubles and concerns that they are facing right then.

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. ” (Colossians 2:1–7, ESV)

Agony (vs.1)

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ” (Colossians 2:1, ESV)

Paul’s words in these verses continue his thoughts from vv.28-29 in the preceding chapter.  The proclamation of the Gospel and associated labor he is expending on behalf of his readers is done so that they might hear, understand and be made perfect by the gospel.  He expresses the sheer agony that he has endured on behalf of not only the Colossians, but the nearby church at Laodicea and others whom he has never visited.  The love of the apostle was not limited to those he personally knew; it extended to all who had not met him personally.  The mention of Laodicea (also in 4:16) indicates that the heresy had spread there too, though it was probably centered in Colosse.

As we learned last week when discussing why Paul found joy in his suffering, he states again that pain that has purpose is of great worth to him.  He is aware of the great dangers that they face.  This is why he has labored so diligently in proclaiming the Gospel.  This same Gospel that will present them perfect in Christ one day will also bring them encouragement, unity and understanding

Encouragement, Unity & Understanding (vs.2)

“I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.” (Colossians 2:2, NLT)

Paul uses the word parakaleo to express the consolation that he wishes for these believers.  This is the same root word used in John’s Gospel to give name, by way of His role, to the Holy Spirit (helper).

““I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; ” (John 14:16, NAS)

““But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. ” (John 14:26, NAS)

““When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, ” (John 15:26, NAS)

Its basic meaning is to “call alongside for help and encouragement.” It was a metaphor from the Roman legal system; the concept of a defense lawyer comes from this word.  This shared comfort would inevitably bring them together to be of like mind.  The unity he desires for them harkens back to his metaphor for the Church as a physical body.  Dependence and care amongst the several parts of the body is actually the contributor towards the encouragement Paul seeks.  Listen to how the .NET translates it, “My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged”.

Paul wants them to be encouraged and unified, but above all he desires them to have understanding.  This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this and it certainly will not be the last.

“understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace” vs.6

“asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ” (Colossians 1:9, NET)

“growing in the knowledge of God” vs.10

Paul’s longing for them to understand the truths of the Gospel are reflected in his commitment in proclaiming it to them in vs.28

“ We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. ” (Colossians 1:28, NET)

Paul does not view knowledge of the Holy as a hindrance to Godly living but the secret to it.  We error greatly when we divorce serious study and meditation upon the person of God from the Christian life.  Our understanding of God is to fuel our behaviour.  Paul states that there are great riches that lie at the door of the person who understands the mystery of God.  Of course the same Paul who speaks of suffering as joy doesn’t imply money when he says riches.  The wealth that lies in store is an understanding of the person of Christ.  Would you take any amount of money as substitute for a fuller understanding of Christ?  Is there a desire within you that is greater than that of knowing Christ?  Paul didn’t think so.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace ” (Ephesians 1:7, NAS)

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ” (Ephesians 1:18, NAS)

“so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ” (Ephesians 2:7, NAS)

“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, ” (Ephesians 3:8, NAS)

These are not pie in the sky riches that are of no real worth.  For the believer who truly counts Christ as their treasure, a greater knowledge of Him surpasses all other things.  God’s mystery from eternity past revealed, known and understood.  Christ Jesus in us, Our hope of glory.

Hidden Treasure (vs.3)

“ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ” (Colossians 2:3, NET)

Paul is about to launch into his arguments against the false teachings that are attempting to gain a foothold in the Colossian, Laodicean and other nearby churches.  As if he was driving a nail into the wall, Paul will use this verse as the springboard upon which he will defeat every false argument thrown against him.  The focus of all the heresies making their way through the Church had to do with a group of people who were peddling some secret knowledge that was acquirable only by those who participated in their mystical programs.  His statement here is deliberate and to the point.  ALL WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE is found ONLY IN CHRIST.  And I don’t mean that all spiritual wisdom and knowledge is found in Christ.  Or all good advise about religious matters are found only is Christ.  I mean that Christ, the Creator, Ruler, Sovereign and Lord over all things is the source from which all understanding flows.  In making this grand all encompassing statement, Paul has not only placed a shot across the bow of their battleship, he has sunk it.  Referring to their secret forms of spirituality, Paul takes a swipe at them by stating what was God’s mystery for ages is now fully revealed.  God’s mystery is a person, God’s plan is a person, and God’s salvation is a person, not human knowledge or effort.

Warning (vs.4)

So sure and complete are the treasure of knowing Christ that Paul readily identifies them as the bulwark against the deceitful arguments that are attempting to ensnare them.

“I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.” (Colossians 2:4, NLT)

This deception was perpetrated by means of eloquent reasoning, plausible arguments and/or persuasive speech. False teachers are usually logical, attractive, persuasive individuals (so different from Paul).

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. ” (1 Corinthians 2:1–5, NAS)

Within this first century warning is a reminder to us as well.  While heresy is sometimes glaring and easy to identify, it is oftentimes subtle.  Let me give you a couple of things that almost always appear within the frameworks of false teachers.  They’ll deny two things, they’ll deny the deity of Christ, and they’ll deny His sufficiency to save.  They might agree that Christ saves, but mark it down, there will be a “but” in there.  A big “but” or little “but” makes no difference.  The mere presence of a “but” or an “and” for that matter changes everything.  And sometimes that altering of Christ’s power to save pertains to the saving work in sanctification, not justification.  Those additions that are thrown in along your Christian walk are just as hideous.

But the point is not that these errors are powerful and convincing.  The point is that a humble, unyielding confidence in the treasures of Christ are superior in every way to the potions and spells of these charlatans.

Present (vs.5)

“ For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ. ” (Colossians 2:5, NET)

Quite often we hear the words “I’m thinking about you” or the Christian equivalent “I’m praying for you” when someone is trying to express identification with you about a place or situation of difficulty that you find yourself in.  Paul finds himself unable to come to them because of his imprisonment, but that doesn’t mean that he has resorted to sentimental quips of comfort.  He readily admits that he can’t be there in person, but that doesn’t hinder his ability to help them.  The fervency of prayer in which he has already written of in the previous chapter has proven effectual in accomplishing what God had ordained for them.  Namely, that their faith in Christ proves firm to weather the storm.  John MacArthur comments on this verse:

Taxis (good discipline) and stereōma (stability) are both military terms, perhaps suggested by Paul’s close contact with Roman soldiers during his imprisonment (cf. Acts 28:16; Phil. 1:13). Taxis refers to a line of soldiers drawn up for battle, whereas stereōma refers to the solidity of a formation of soldiers. Taken together, they express Paul’s joy that individually and collectively the Colossians were standing firm against the attacks of false teaching. His goal for them is that they remain settled in their present true understanding, and not yield to doubt from those attacks.

Walk (vv.6-7)

Well the time has come.  The referee has read the boxers the instructions in the center of the ring.  Each has returned to his corner awaiting the opening bell.  This is where the trainer leans over to his fighter to whisper one last piece of advice.  The one thing that if held onto, will bring him back victorious.  As soon as the bell rings there is no time for strategy or training.  That time is over.  Paul has prepared the believers in Colossae well.  Now all is left is to live in what they have learned.

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. ” (Colossians 2:6–7, ESV)

You remember how you came to Christ?  The only way anyone comes to faith in Christ is as a blind, deaf, beggarly cripple.  Thankful for any morsel of mercy that the Master has to offer.  We come absolutely dependent upon His provision that we are unable to live and breathe without Him.  We sadly become all too independent as the days go by.

Paul’s words to them are to remember the utter dependence that brought them to Christ, and to continue to live the same way.  Our life depends upon nearness to Christ.  How is it that one moment we were dead in our trespasses and sin and clinging to Christ that he might grant us repentance and faith, and the next find ourselves living utterly independent lives away from reliance upon Him.  That which gave us life, continues to give us life.  Paul says we are to live now in the same manner we began to live in.  The way the scuba diver clings to his oxygen tank.  The way the sky diver treasures his parachute.  It is life, He is life.