These notes prepared for a [[Fellowship Group]] study at [[All Souls Langham Place]] on [[2025-10-14]]. > [!NOTE] > These notes are compiled from studies and materials presented by [[Campbell Patterson]] and [[David Zong]], who in turn were inspired by [[Douglas Moo]]. I don't take credit for the info, but I do take credit for any mistakes in my summarization > [!summary] Key Takeaways > - **Original meaning:** [[Paul]] exhorts the [[Colossians]] that having received [[Jesus]] as [[Lord]], they must continue being rooted in him, and not be taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophy, since they already have fullness, forgiveness and victory through their union with [[Christ]] and his work on the cross > - **Contemporary message:** We too have fullness in [[Christ]] through our union with him and must stay rooted in him, and be reminded of and rejoice in the gospel of our salvation to avoid being deceived by the false teaching of our day # Context - Having concluded the extended introduction section ([[Colossians 1]]:1-2:5), we now move to the main body running from [[Colossians 2]]:6 to 4:6 - This section is introduced by a "theme sentence" in 2:6-7 which summarizes themes from the letter opening - [[Paul]] exhorts [[Colossians]] readers, as Christians who have been taught the gospel and come to faith, to continue living faithfully in [[Jesus]] and being rooted in him - They must submit to him as [[Lord]] and overflow with thankfulness for salvation achieved through his substitutionary sacrifice at the cross - [[Paul]] then explores what this life in [[Christ]] looks like: - Rejection of any religious system or "philosophy" which questions the sufficiency of [[Christ]] ([[Colossians 2]]:8-23) - Commitment to living under his lordship in every area of life ([[Colossians 3]]:1-4:6) - This is the natural outworking of [[Christ]]'s all-encompassing supremacy ([[Colossians 1]]:15-20) # Structure of the Passage **Full Section Structure ([[Colossians 2]]:6-23):** - A. Continuing to live faithfully in [[Christ]] (verses 6-7) - B. First warning: let no one take you captive (verse 8) - C. Spiritual fullness in [[Christ]] (verses 9-10) - D. Substitutionary atonement through [[Christ]] (verses 11-15) - E. Second warning: let no one judge you (verses 16-17) - F. Third warning: let no one disqualify you (verses 18-19) - G. Rhetorical question and answer (verses 20-23) **This study covers verses 6-15 (first half of the section)** # Union with Christ: The Central Theme - Throughout the passage, the Christian believer's union with [[Christ]] is repeatedly emphasized - Examples of "in him/with him" language: - Live "in him" (v.6) - Rooted and built up "in him" (v.7) - Follow teachings that depend "on [[Christ]]" (v.8) - Brought to fullness "in [[Christ]]" (v.10) - Circumcised "in him" and "by [[Christ]]" (v.11) - Buried "with him" and raised "with him" (v.12) - Made alive "with [[Christ]]" (v.13) - This "mystery" of [[Christ]] in us and we in him (spiritual union) is at the heart of the gospel [[Paul]] sought to proclaim (cf. [[Colossians 1]]:24-29) - Drives the logic of this polemical section: **If [[Christ]] is supreme and sufficient, and if we are in him, then we already have all we need and must not look elsewhere** # Continuing to Live Faithfully in Christ (2:6-7) ## Summary of Previous Themes Verses 6-7 begin with "So then" (or "therefore"), summarizing points [[Paul]] has made so far: - **Study 1 ([[Colossians 1]]:1-14):** [[Paul]]'s thankfulness for global advance of gospel which included [[Colossians]], marked by bearing fruit; prayers for [[Colossians]] to grow spiritually and live worthily for their [[Lord]] - **Study 2 ([[Colossians 1]]:15-23):** Supremacy of [[Christ]] in creation and re-creation, salvific benefits for those who receive gospel, cosmic scope of his reconciling work - **Study 3 ([[Colossians 1]]:24-[[Colossians 2]]:5):** [[Paul]]'s ministry to make known the mystery now revealed in gospel, preaching fully to present everyone mature in [[Christ]], including [[Colossians]] for whom he is contending ## The Exhortation - [[Colossians]] received the gospel through [[Epaphras]] as extension of [[Paul]]'s ministry and it has begun to bear fruit - [[Paul]] now exhorts them (as he has been praying for them) to live out their lives in [[Christ]] and remain rooted in him - Goal: grow stronger in faith and avoid being deceived by false teaching threatening the church in [[Colossae]] ## Four Characteristics of Living in Christ In neat parallel with [[Colossians 1]]:10-12a, [[Paul]] issues call for living in [[Christ]] followed by four characteristics: ### 1. Rooted in Him - Horticultural image echoing [[Jeremiah 17]]:5-8 or [[Psalm 1]]:3 - Must depend on [[Christ]] for essential nourishment - Plant's fruitfulness strongly correlated to its "rootedness" (echoes [[Colossians 1]]:10b) ### 2. Built Up in Him - [[Paul]] mixes metaphor: [[Colossians]] Christians as buildings being constructed in [[Christ]] - Rich image echoing [[Jesus]]'s call to build house on rock (cf. [[Matthew 7]]:24-25) - Also echoes [[Peter]]'s vision of church being built together with [[Christ]] as cornerstone ([[1 Peter 2]]:4-8) - As plants depend on roots, so building's stability depends on foundation ### 3. Strengthened in the Faith - Echoes [[Colossians 1]]:23 ("if you continue in your faith, established and firm") - Content of this faith taught by [[Epaphras]] ([[Colossians 1]]:7) and received by [[Colossians]] - "Received" in v.6 carries idea of transmission of teaching or tradition ### 4. Overflowing with Thankfulness - Reminds us of [[Colossians 1]]:12 - Usually clear sign that Christian is rooted and built up in [[Christ]] - Being fully satisfied in him and not seeking satisfaction elsewhere # First Warning: Let No One Take You Captive (2:8) - Verse 8 acts as subheading for "polemical section" of [[Colossians 2]]:8-23 - [[Paul]] deals with false teaching at [[Colossae]] head-on - **Clear warning:** Don't be taken captive! - Greek verb "takes you captive" means being carried off as plunder - Stark contrast to liberation from slavery [[Colossians]] gained in [[Christ]] (cf. [[Colossians 1]]:12-14) ## The Threat - Warning against "hollow and deceptive philosophy" - "Elemental spiritual forces" (further developed in verses 16-23) - Key problem: such teaching does not depend on [[Christ]] (or is not "according to [[Christ]]", ESV) - In light of chapter 1, this explains why: - [[Paul]] emphasized supremacy and sufficiency of [[Jesus]] - [[Paul]] prays for what he does - [[Paul]] is intent on preaching gospel in its fullness through his ministry # Spiritual Fullness in Christ (2:9-10) ## The Link Between Christ's Fullness and Ours - [[Paul]] reiterates that fullness of [[God]] the [[Father]] dwells in [[Christ]] - [[Christ]] is head over every power and authority (already made in [[Jesus Hymn]], cf. [[Colossians 1]]:16, 19) - In turn, [[Colossians]] believers are "in [[Christ]]" and he lives in them (cf. [[Colossians 1]]:27) - Therefore they have been brought to fullness (literally, "you have been filled in him", ESV) ## The Logic - **Jesus' identity** → **Christian's identity** - Fullness of [[God]] lives in [[Christ]] → [[Christ]] lives in us → We have access to that fullness - Connecting word "For" at start of v.9 emphasizes the point - **If believers already have such fullness in [[Christ]], why look anywhere else to inferior alternatives?** - [[Paul]] wants to remind [[Colossians]] Christians of glorious riches of gospel before contrasting hollow and deceptive "philosophy" of false teachers # Substitutionary Atonement through Christ (2:11-15) [[Paul]] now explains how believers came to be in [[Christ]] and brought to such fullness ## Circumcision Imagery (2:11) ### Old Testament Background - [[Genesis 17]]:9-14: circumcision performed on all male babies born into [[Jewish]] households - Signified membership of covenant people of [[God]] in [[Old Testament]] ### New Testament Application - [[Colossians]] described as having been circumcised, but **not by human hands** - Circumcision performed on [[Colossians]] Christians was fundamentally more radical: - **NOT** merely physical removal of foreskin - **BUT** spiritual removal of "whole self ruled by the flesh" (i.e., the sinful nature) - Procedure performed by [[Christ]] - In [[New Testament]] era, to belong to people of [[God]], this inward spiritual circumcision is needed (cf. [[Romans 2]]:25-29) - **Verse 11 describes conversion** - process of becoming a Christian - Uses vivid "circumcision" imagery to emphasize: - Decisive and irrevocable nature of coming to true saving faith - Need for [[Christ]] to cut off our old sinful self > [!note] Circumcision Not Central to False Teaching > The incidental use of this imagery does not imply circumcision was key component of false teaching in [[Colossae]] (unlike in [[Galatians]]) ## Baptism Symbolism (2:12) ### The Connection - Spiritual circumcision at conversion (v.11) linked to baptism in v.12 - [[Colossians]] have been "buried with him in baptism" and "raised with him" - Again, emphasis on believer's essential union with [[Christ]]: - Just as he was buried → we have been buried - Just as he has been raised → we have been raised - We have been made alive with [[Christ]] (v.13) ### Access to Fullness - This union with [[Christ]] gives all believers: - Access to his fullness (as seen in vv.9-10) - Access to new life and salvation from death we deserve for sins (cf. [[Romans 6]]:3-11) - Baptism is important **outward sign** of this **inward spiritual union** - [[Paul]] guards against misunderstanding baptism as the way to gain salvation by stressing "through your faith in the working of [[God]]" (v.12b) - Such misunderstanding would ironically contradict [[Paul]]'s message that [[Christ]] is all-sufficient > [!note] Baptism as Fundamental Church Practice > Baptism seen by [[Paul]] as fundamental part of church life and practice which powerfully represents and reinforces our union with [[Christ]] through faith. These verses inform denominational debates about infant baptism but cannot conclusively answer them ## The Cross: Debt Canceled and Powers Defeated (2:13-15) ### Forgiveness of Sins (2:13-14) **Our Condition:** - We were dead because of our sins - We have been made alive in [[Christ]] through forgiveness of those sins (v.13) - [[Paul]] points to the cross where this was wonderfully achieved **The Charge Against Us (v.14):** - "Charge of our legal indebtedness" (NIV) captures two Greek words: - *cheirographon* = certificate recording financial debts - *dogmasin* = set of decrees - In this context: our debt to [[God]] for failing to keep his laws and commands - **The detailed record of our sinfulness** - "Stood against us and condemned us" - no way we could pay this debt ourselves **What God Did:** - In his infinite grace, [[God]] nailed this debt to the cross - Likely reference to [[Roman]] practice of placing charge against criminal on his cross (cf. [[John 19]]:19-22) - [[Christ]], who was also nailed to cross, bore punishment for our sins **in our place** - Through his death, he paid the debt we owed - Crying out "it is finished" as he died > [!note] "It Is Finished" = "Paid" > In [[John 19]]:30, phrase "it is finished" translates Greek word *tetelestai*, which could also mean "paid" > Often stamped onto receipts/invoices in [[New Testament]] times to signify amount owed had been paid > [[Jesus]]'s final agonizing words on cross were therefore **triumphant cry of victory**, having fully paid "charge of our legal indebtedness" > [!note] Penal Substitutionary Atonement > The idea that [[Christ]] paid penalty for our sin instead of us and was punished in our place is at the very heart of the gospel > [[Christ]] was not just some random third party [[God]] vented anger on instead of us (wrong caricature) > Rather, [[Christ]] willingly bore our sin, and in very real sense, **we died with him and he now lives in us** ### Christ's Triumph Over Powers (2:15) **Jesus is Lord Over All Powers:** - [[Colossians]] reminded [[Jesus]] is [[Lord]] over all powers and authorities - Cf. [[Colossians 1]]:15-20 and 2:10 - Refers to evil spiritual powers and authorities in rebellion against him **What the Cross Achieved:** - Through his death, [[Christ]] defeated or "disarmed" them - Sin and death no longer have mastery over those victorious in [[Christ]] - Sin and death can no longer be used by powers and authorities to: - Enslave us - Instill fear in us - [[Christ]] has fully paid the debt we owed **The Public Spectacle:** - [[Christ]] triumphed over them in "public spectacle" - Just as military victory and triumphant return would be - Filled with irony: achieved through exact thing enemy imagined was their own victory - Final phrase could mean "by the cross" (NIV) or "by triumphing over them in him" (ESV) - Possible reference to [[Christ]]'s resurrection - natural way of seeing how [[Christ]] triumphantly made public spectacle of powers and authorities disarmed by his death # Summary of Blessings in Christ **What We Have Received:** - Circumcised by [[Christ]] (v.11) - Buried, raised and made alive with [[Christ]] (vv.12-13) - Our sins forgiven (v.13) - Charge of our legal indebtedness nailed to cross and paid by [[Christ]] (v.14) - Powers and authorities disarmed and triumphed over - [[Jesus]] won final victory (v.15) **The Result:** - [[Christ]] has done all that is needed to bring us back into perfect relationship with [[God]] - Our sins are forgiven - We have assurance of life in [[Christ]] free from power of enemy - The mystery now revealed in gospel: [[Christ]] lives in us (cf. [[Colossians 1]]:27) - We have access to his fullness - all the fullness of the Deity! - **We have no reason to seek anything in addition to [[Jesus]]** - **Must reject any false teaching which questions his sufficiency** (theme developed further in [[Colossians 2]]:16-23) # Application Themes ## For Original Audience [[Colossians]] needed to: - Continue living faithfully in [[Christ]], remaining rooted in him - Grow stronger in faith based on what [[Epaphras]] taught them - Overflow with thankfulness for salvation - Not be taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophy - Recognize they already have fullness in [[Christ]] - Remember their spiritual circumcision, baptism, and union with [[Christ]] - Rejoice that sins are forgiven through [[Christ]]'s work on cross - Stand firm knowing [[Christ]] has triumphed over powers and authorities ## For Contemporary Believers ### Stay Rooted in Christ - Continue living faithfully in [[Christ]], being rooted and built up in him - Depend on [[Christ]] for essential spiritual nourishment (like plant depending on roots) - Build life on firm foundation of [[Christ]] (like building depending on foundation) - Be strengthened in the faith as we have been taught - Overflow with thankfulness - sign we're fully satisfied in [[Christ]] ### Recognize Christ's Sufficiency - We have fullness in [[Christ]] through our union with him - Fullness of [[God]] lives in [[Christ]], [[Christ]] lives in us → we have access to that fullness - No reason to look elsewhere to inferior alternatives - Must reject any teaching that questions [[Christ]]'s sufficiency ### Guard Against False Teaching - Modern "hollow and deceptive philosophy" might include: - Self-help systems replacing [[Christ]] - Spiritual practices disconnected from [[Christ]] - Religious requirements adding to faith in [[Christ]] - Any teaching diminishing [[Christ]]'s supremacy or completeness - Must not be taken captive by teaching that does not depend on [[Christ]] - Need to remain rooted in truth we have been taught ### Remember the Gospel - Be reminded of and rejoice in gospel of our salvation - Spiritual circumcision: [[Christ]] cut off our old sinful self at conversion - Baptism symbolizes dying, being buried, and being raised with [[Christ]] - Our sins forgiven - charge against us nailed to cross and paid by [[Christ]] - [[Christ]] triumphed over powers and authorities - we're free from their mastery - **Penal substitutionary atonement is at heart of gospel** ### Live in Community - [[Paul]] was writing to community, not individuals - Wanted them "encouraged in heart and united in love" ([[Colossians 2]]:2) - Exhortations to remain rooted in [[Christ]] are to be lived out through mutual support in church - Most ethical imperatives in chapter 3 are to be practiced in community ### Practical Ways to Remain Rooted - Pray for each other - Meet together to worship [[Jesus]] as [[Lord]] - Strengthen each other in the faith - Encourage those who are struggling or discouraged - Remain united in love vs. division - Study [[God]]'s word together to grow in knowledge of [[Christ]] - Remind each other of gospel truths and what [[Christ]] has accomplished