Colossians 2:1-5 Study

Chapter 2:1-5

 

A1 Scripture

B1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have concerning you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be comforted, being joined together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to a full knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Now this I say so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable. For though indeed I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your orderliness and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. (Colossians 2:1-5, EMTV)

B2 Let me tell you how hard I have worked for you and for the people in Laodicea and for all others who do not know me personally. I do this in order that they may be filled with courage and may be drawn together in love, and so have the full wealth of assurance which true understanding brings. In this way they will know God's secret, which is Christ himself. He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge. I tell you, then, do not let anyone deceive you with false arguments, no matter how good they seem to be. For even though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I am glad as I see the resolute firmness with which you stand together in your faith in Christ. (Colossians 2:1-5, GNB92)

 

A2 Outline: Encouragement to not leave the faith

B1 His Burden Colossians 2:1-3

C1 Paul's struggle

D1 For Colossians

D2 For Laodiceans

D3 For all those who have not seen Paul face to face.

C2 For their hearts

D1 Hearts comforted

D2 Loving fellowship

D3 Full assurance

D4 Compete knowledge of the mystery of God

E1 Father

E2 Son (Christ)

F1 Who has all the wisdom possible to have

F2 Who has all the knowledge possible to have

B2 His Purpose (So no one will deceive you) Colossians 2:4

C1 With great sounding, but false, arguments

B3 His Comfort Colossians 2:5

C1 Paul is not there

C2 But he

D1 Thinks about them

D2 Rejoices in their

E1 Orderliness

E2 Steadfast faith in Christ

 

A3 Notes

B1 The "new" teachers trying to win over the Colossians tried to minimize the uniqueness of Jesus, the Son of God.

B2 Paul was concerned/worried/in struggle for them that their faith would hold true.

B3 Paul was concerned that this "new" teaching was unsettling their hearts.

B4 Paul wanted to comfort them that the doctrine they had been taught was correct.

B5 Paul wanted their fellowship with one another to be in love, not worry.

B6 Paul wanted their assurance of faith that they were correct in what they had believed about Jesus Christ.

B7 Paul assured them that these "new" teachers did not have a hidden knowledge about Jesus. Paul said that what they had been taught by Paul and his companions was full and open, not hidden.

B8 Paul taught them that Jesus had all knowledge and wisdom. Jesus was not a stepping stone to higher powers and limited in knowledge and wisdom, instead Jesus had as much as could possibly be known. He had the same knowledge and wisdom as the Father.

B9 Paul was afraid that these "new" teachers would have seemingly sound and complete logic in their presentations and teaching. They evidently were excellent teachers with a charismatic presentation. Paul wanted those of Colossae and Laodicea to be aware that even if the false teachers arguments sounded plausible, they were not. They were false. We are well must adhere to the truth as is it taught in Scriptures. There are no hidden arguments. Our doctrine, our beliefs, are plain to be seen. When a teacher starts stringing together a bunch of passages to "show" us how a certain word must be understood differently that what it would seem, we must reject that teacher and their teaching. Certain Calvinists corrupt the word "world" in John 3:16, etc.

B10 Paul rejoices to see their lives and fellowship to be orderly and their faith steadfast in Christ.