Coachlight Bible Study – Colossians Chapter 2
An Army Warring Against False Teachers
In the first chapter, Paul took the occasion to disciple the converts of Epaphras, guarding them against the wolves Paul had prophesied as he left his ministry in nearby Ephesus. (Acts 20:29) Paul’s Antidote for the poison of false doctrine was a good dose of Who Christ Is. He did this by teaching that Christ is and was preeminent in Creation, Redemption, the Church, and the Gospel Message.
In Chapter two, Paul continues on the theme of this antidote with military metaphors. The Colossians are taught that their holy walk rooted and grounded in Christ sets free from man’s philosophy or psychology, Legalism, false security or salvation, and false doctrines. The right walk is the proven armor for the fight. (Read I Samuel 17 about proven armor)
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The Christological Letter To The Colossians |
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Intension |
To give the antidote (Christology) for false teachings |
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Reference |
1:1-----------1:15-------------2:4----------3:1-----------3:5-----------4:7----4:18 |
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Plan |
Introduction |
Preeminence of Christ |
The War Freedom In Christ |
The Affection of the Christian |
The Walk of the Christian |
Conclusion |
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Focus |
Doctrine |
Application |
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Topic |
Supremacy of Christ |
Submission to Christ |
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What Christ Did For Us |
What Christ Does Through Us |
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Location |
A Prison In Rome |
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Time |
AD 60-61 |
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I. Paul’s Battle for Those That Have Not Seen Paul in Person
Colossians 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict<73> I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together<4822> in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement<1922> of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
A. Discipleship of Other’s Evangelization described in metaphor
1. The word translated conflict is agon – (War Contest for victory or mastery)
73 agwn agon ag-one’ - from 71; n m - conflict 2, fight 2, contention 1, race 1; 6
1) an assembly,
1a) a place of assembly: especially an assembly met to see games
1b) the place of contest, the arena or stadium
2) the assembly of the Greeks at their national games
2a) hence the contest for a prize at their games
2b) generally, any struggle or contest - 2c) a battle
a. Paul uses this word as struggles in the Christian life
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight <73> of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight <73>, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
b. Paul uses this word in metaphor to a race
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race <73> that is set before us,
c. Paul uses the word as in contention or contest
Philippians 1:30 Having the same conflict <73> which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention <73>.
2. There was a reason for the struggle in the war
a. Their hearts be comforted
b. They would be knit together (United) in love
1. In love
2. Unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding
3. To the acknowledgement (Recognizing knowledge) of
a. The Mystery of God
b. The Mystery of of the Father
c. The Mystery of Christ
4822. sumbibazw sumbibazo soom-bib-ad’-zo; from 4862 and bibazw bibazo (to force; causative [by reduplication] of the base of 939); to drive together, i.e. unite (in association or affection), (mentally) to infer, show, teach:— compact, assuredly gather, intrust, knit together, prove.
1922. epignwsiv epignosis ep-ig’-no-sis; from 1921; recognition, i.e. (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement:— (ac-)knowledge(-ing, -ment).
3. In Christ Are All the treasures (Theosauros)
a. Of Wisdom (Sofia) – (Goes against Philosophy)
b. Of Knowledge (Gnosis) – (Against Gnosticism or Secret Saving Knowledge)
II. The Colossian’s Walk Is Fighting and Winning The War
Colossians 2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
Colossians 2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order<5010>, and the stedfastness<4733> of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
A. Two Characteristics Demonstrated – Military Metaphor
1. Their Order – (Orderly Line)
2. Their Stedfastness – (Solid Front)
3. Both comprise Military Metaphors - The military line unbroken, intact. A few stragglers had gone over to the Gnostics, but there had been no panic, no breach in the line.
5010 taxiv taxis tax’-is - from 5021; ; n f - order 10; 10
1) an arranging, arrangement
2) order
2a) a fixed succession observing a fixed time
3) due or right order, orderly condition
4) the post, rank, or position which one holds in civic or other affairs
4a) since this position generally depends on one’s talents, experience, resources 4a1) character, fashion, quality, style
4733 sterewma stereoma ster-eh’-o-mah - from 4732; n n - AV-stedfastness 1; 1
1) that which has been made firm
1a) the firmament, which in early times was thought to be solid
1a1) a fortified place
1b) that which furnishes a foundation
1b1) on which a thing rests firmly, support
1c) firmness, steadfastness
1c1) metaph. in a military sense: solid front
B. What is an orderly line and solid front? – The Christian Walk
C. Walk in Christ As you have received Him – Thankfully Build On The Foundation
1. Rooted in Christ – (Strike roots)
2. Built up in Christ – (Continue building on the Foundation)
2. Stablished in the faith – Be sure of your faith
3. Abounding in Thanksgiving – Thanking God – not prideful
III. Epignosis of Christ is the Antidote – Sets Free
A. Sets Free From Man’s Knowledge – This Age It Is Psychology
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. {make a prey: or, seduce you, or, lead you astray} {rudiments: or, elements}
Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
1. Contrast between Human Reason and God’s Revelation – Fable vs. Fact
Mark 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
Mark 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. {reject: or, frustrate}
Mark 7:10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
Mark 7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
Mark 7:12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Mark 7:14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
Mark 7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
Mark 7:16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark 7:17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
Mark 7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
Mark 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
Mark 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Mark 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: {covetousness…: Gr. covetousnesses, wickednesses}
Mark 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
2. In Christ Is The Entire Godhead
3. If We have knowledge of Who He Is – We are complete in Him
B. Sets Free From Legalism (False Worship) – In Those Days Gnosticism
Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. {in it: or, in himself}
Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: {in meat…: or, for eating and drinking} {respect: or, part}
Colossians 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
C. Sets Free False Doctrines On Salvation - Like Asceticism -
Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, {beguile…: or, judge against you} {ina…: Gr. being a voluntary in humility}
Colossians 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together<4822>, increaseth with the increase of God.
Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, {rudiments: or, elements}
Colossians 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Colossians 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Colossians 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. {neglecting: or, punishing, or, not sparing}
Application: A Promise to keep: If my walk strikes out roots firmly into the Foundation (An epignosis of Christ – or Who He Is – From the Word), and it continues to be built upon this foundation, I will be guarded against false teachers and false doctrines