Paul's Letters Colossians

The True Nature of Christ

Discover Jesus as: Firstborn Colossians 2 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 549 of 730
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INTRO

I want us to go back to the end of Colossians 1 today before we move on to Colossians 2. Paul was describing his ministry— that God made him a steward of sharing the news that Jesus is the Firstborn (Colossians 1:15, 25). Paul’s job was to share the “mystery” that had been revealed, that the Jews and the Gentiles were to be one in Christ (Colossians 1:26-27). He desired that everyone would mature in Christ and become the image of Him (Colossians 1:28). Paul acknowledged that all he did was through the power of Christ in him (Colossians 1:29). His thought carried on into chapter 2.

TEACHING

Colossians 2:1-4: Paul agonized for those he could not get to personally (v. 1). He wanted them to be encouraged and joined in love so they would be assured of their understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery in Christ (v. 2). Paul prayed that they would have all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that are found in Christ (v. 3). Paul was in prison and had never met any of those in Colosse and Laodicea, but he prayed with passion for them as though they were his best friends. He explained why he prayed so diligently for them in verse 4—so no one would come in and deceive them with false teachings (“persuasive arguments”).

Colossians 2:5: Wiersbe describes verses 5–7 as presenting the “nature of progress” in Christ.1 Paul told his readers he was with them in spirit and rejoiced over how well they were doing. He then gave three pictures to explain spiritual progress. First, he used the image of an army with the words ordered and strength in verse 5. Wiersbe explains ordered as “the arrangement of the army in ranks, with each soldier in his proper place,” while strength or steadfastness “pictures the soldiers in battle formation, presenting a solid front to the enemy.”2 The soldiers were arranged in order and were placed at the front line to fight the enemy—Paul’s picture of what believers were to do.

Colossians 2:6: Paul uses the image of the pilgrim who walked along the journey. A pilgrimage was a long journey, and the pilgrim was the one who undertook the journey. Paul exhorted his readers to “walk in Him” on the journey of spiritual growth to maturity (Ephesians 2:2, 10; 4:1; 5:2, 8, 15).

Colossians 2:7: Here, Paul uses multiple images. Rooted refers to a tree that has deep and permanent connection to the ground. Established or built up speaks to a building that has been built on the foundation of faith. As you were taught refers to all they had been taught in faith. Overflowing creates a picture of a river whose banks have overflowed (Ezekiel 47; John 7:37–39).

Wiersbe summarizes the importance of these images: “If [a Christian’s] spiritual roots are deep in Christ, he will not want any other soil. If Christ is his sure foundation, he has no need to move. If he is studying and growing in the Word, he will not be easily enticed by false doctrine. And if his heart is overflowing with thanksgiving, he will not even consider turning from the fullness he has in Christ. A grounded, growing, grateful believer will not be led astray.”3

Colossians 2:8–10: Paul warned his readers not to fall prey to those who used philosophy and deceit to persuade them but instead to stay based in Christ (v. 8). Keep your eyes on Christ or those who deceive will take you “captive” by coming in and kidnapping you from the faith.

CLOSING

Even in the seminary world, there is the danger of getting caught up in acquiring wisdom and losing focus on the relationship with Christ. That is the heart of our desire in Revive School—that we pour into the lives of others with Scripture, making disciples in Christ through His truth. Our world today mirrors that of the Colossians, and we have to stay focused on Christ, drawing on the fullness of God’s nature that is present in Him (vv. 9–10). Anything else is false teaching, deceitful, and dangerous to His gospel.

  1. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Ephesians (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1989), p. 124.

  2. Wiersbe, p. 124.

  3. Wiersbe, p. 125.

Questions

  1. In Colossians 2 NKJV, Paul used words like steadfastness (Colossians 2:5), rooted and built up (Colossians 2:7), established in the faith (Colossians 2:7), and complete in Him (Colossians 2:10). What do you think his purpose was?
  2. In Colossians 2:3, what did Paul refer to as treasures? How are these things treasures, and where can they be found?
  3. How do these treasures protect us from being deceived with well-crafted (persuasive) arguments? (Colossians 2:8)
  4. What advantage is there to following religious commandments and teachings of men so that you appear wise or spiritual (Colossians 2:20–23)? Have you ever made decisions based on whether you would appear spiritual, having nothing to do with walking in the Spirit?
  5. In regard to the body of Christ, what nourishes and promotes growth? (Ephesians 2:19–22; 4:11–16; Colossians 2:19)
  6. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in Colossians 2 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Colossians 2:6–7

“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.”

After you receive Christ, you begin to walk with Him and grow in the mystery of the Gospel. Like a student studying to become a teacher, a doctor, or a hairstylist, the time comes when you need to walk out what you have learned. Though you will never stop learning, it’s time to start using your skills. As a believer who has accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, start walking in faith as the Lord leads, trusting the Holy Spirit to fill you with all wisdom and knowledge.

The more you walk in Christ’s strength and not your own, the deeper your roots grow in Him. The storms may come, but they won’t blow you over! You will not be shaken because you are established in your faith. Abide in Christ’s presence in order to nourish your roots in Him. Walk with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, worshipping the Lord your Savior. As you worship the Lord, the peace of Christ will be with you, providing what you need for what lies ahead.

“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.”

— Colossians 2:6–7

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Jeremiah 17:7–8 — “The man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.”

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Romans 10:9–10 — “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.”

Colossians 2:2 — “I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.”