Introduction

Colossians 2 confronts false teaching that adds to Christ. Paul declares that all the fullness of deity dwells in Christ bodily, and believers are complete in Him. Human rules and regulations are shadows; the reality is Christ.

Paul's Struggle for Them (verses 1-5)

Paul wants them to know how hard he is contending for them and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met him personally. His goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He tells them this so that no one may deceive them by fine-sounding arguments. For though absent in body, Paul is present with them in spirit and delights to see how disciplined they are and how firm their faith in Christ is.

Continue in Christ (verses 6-15)

So then, just as they received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live their lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as they were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes them captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ they have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In Him they were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands—their whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when they were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which they were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When they were dead in their sins and in the uncircumcision of their flesh, God made them alive with Christ. He forgave all their sins, having canceled the charge of their legal indebtedness, which stood against them and condemned them; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Freedom from Regulations (verses 16-23)

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen, and their unspiritual mind puffs them up with idle notions. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

Since they died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though they still belonged to the world, do they submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Key Takeaways

• Fullness in Christ: All deity dwells in Him; you are complete in Him
• Debt Canceled: Our legal indebtedness was nailed to the cross
• Shadows vs. Reality: Regulations are shadows; Christ is the substance
• False Humility: Man-made rules don't restrain the flesh

Reflection Questions

• Are you adding anything to Christ for your salvation or sanctification?
• How does knowing your debt was nailed to the cross affect your peace?
• What "shadows" have you been following instead of the reality of Christ?