Colossians: The Supremacy of Jesus Christ! (Chapter 2:1-10)

Hello Friends!

Welcome back! This week we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the Apostle Paul to the Colossians as we consider the PERSON and WORK of “Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle – “The Supremacy of Jesus Christ!”

This week we will begin our reading of verses 1-10 in chapter 2 as we consider our NO Philosophy! ONLY Jesus Christ…

Colossians: The Supremacy of Jesus Christ! (Chapter 2:1-10)

QUIZZING QUESTION: What is the primary requisite for an EFFECTIVE mindful “minister” of Jesus Christ? The necessary ingredient in the “life” of any “minister” is a Biblical LOVE for the PEOPLE of God – The Church of Jesus Christ!

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it – Ephesians 5:25

The “Son of God” incarnate “Jesus Christ” absolutely “loves” His “Church” and “gave” His precious LIFE for “it” as depicted in this beautiful analogy of marriage. And the Apostle Paul took this command VERY serious throughout his “ministry” endeavors. Therefore, let’s begin our study this week with these initial TRUTHS in mind – To the Glory of God the Father!

As we learned in our previous Bible study series through the “seven letters” to the “seven churches” received from Jesus Christ Himself found in the book of Revelation, apparently Paul was never actually present “in the flesh” at the “church” located in “Laodicea” itself. And as was true of the Apostle John, we see here that Paul through “great conflict” in heart addresses these dear “believers” in “Colossae” of whom were being affectionately “comforted” and “knit together in love” by God:

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ – Colossians 2:1-2

POINGNANT POINT: Paul’s “love” for the “Church” was not simply predicated on the PEOPLE within it alone. Rather, Paul’s “love” for the “Church” was predicated on the” mystery of godliness” through the PERSON and WORK of “Jesus Christ” who “died” willingly FOR them – Praise the Lord!

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory – 1 Timothy 3:16

Along with his “great conflict” for the “Church” via the “Colossian” assembly, Paul is REMINDING their ”hearts” of the “full assurance” in eternal SALVATION and their spiritual “understanding” to the “acknowledgement” of the “mystery of God” in the “Father” and the Son “Jesus Christ” Himself. WHY? Because as we have already learned in our study thus far, the DEITY of “Jesus Christ”” was being ATTACKED by the “false doctrine” of the “false teachers” infiltrating God’s “flock” with a “false gospel” message – Wickedness!

Conversely, when we HOLD to a solid conviction about “Jesus Christ” and are settled about His DIVINITY then we can BELIEVE on Him! Therefore, Paul continues by DEFENDING his solid conviction concerning the SUFFICIENCY found IN the ONLY God-man “Jesus Christ” our Lord:

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words – Colossians 2:3-4

The word for “hid” in the Greek is apocryphas from which we derive the English word apocryphal. And the Gnostic “heretics” and “false teachers” of the first century BELIEVED there was “hidden” a plethora of SECRET human “wisdom” and “knowledge” that ONLY the super intellects could “understand” and thus was absolutely NECESSARY for “salvation” of which was HIDDEN in these esoteric books known as – Apocryphas!

CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: We must NOT be “beguiled” by these lies! We don't need “enticing words” from special books of the secret intellect. We don't need a human pope, priest or pastor. We don't need the Bible PLUS the Book of Mormon or the Watchtower publications. We don't need “false prophets” such as Mary Baker Eddy or Judge Rutherford. We don't need occult “mystics” such as Madam Blavatsky, Alice Bailey, Barbra Marx Hubbard or ANYONE else. In fact, we don't need ANYTHING else! WHY? Because IN the Person of “Jesus Christ” are “hidden” ALL the “treasures” from God! The REVELATION of the ONE Savior – He ALONE is ENOUGH!!

In fact, Paul desires that not only the “Colossian” congregation, but that all “Christians” would RESIST the seductive “false teaching” of “Satan” by holding settled CONVICTIONS and CONFIDENCE built upon God’s PERFECT Word. Paul therefore continues his encouraging thoughts:

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ – Colossians 2:5

Even though Paul was “absent in the flesh” as not physically present, he was with the “Colossians” in the “spirit” of his inner man. WHY? Because he was being detained for three years as a “prisoner” in Rome! Paul also says he was full of JOY for their “order” and “stedfastness” of “faith” in “Christ” the Lord. This “order” and “stedfastness” is military terminology. In other words, they were being attacked and no one has broken rank. Everyone is “beholding” in single file for the Lord – Holding the GOSPEL line!­

And since we have “received” Jesus Christ, all these “things” are true: We are “settled” IN Jesus Christ. We are “confident” ABOUT Jesus Christ. We are “firm” FOR Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must “walk” WITH Jesus Christ:

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving – Colossians 2:6-7

In other words, don't waver or wane! WHY? Because we have been “Rooted” and “built up” IN Jesus Christ as “Lord” and are “established in the faith” of our “salvation” promise THROUGH Him. We are also “abounding” in “thanksgiving” and therefore, as He “walked” we “ought” to keep “walking” in Him:

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked – 1 John 2:6

And WHAT does this wonderful “walk” represent, Biblically speaking? It requires a DAILY life style of OBEDIENT conduct – Keep walking IN Him!

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Although the Apostle Paul never officially names this damning “doctrine” of doom, there are FOUR elements to the “false teaching” that threatened the “Colossian” congregation:

ONE: The element of “philosophy” ~ (8-15)

TWO: The element of “legalism” ~ (16-17)

THREE: The element of “mysticism” ~ (18-19)

FOUR: The element of “asceticism” ~ (20-23)

Therefore, this chilling chapter is the conglomerate of human philosophy, religious legalism, pagan mysticism and fleshly asceticism espoused by these “wicked” men– Pure EVIL!

Throughout all of history, “man” has pursued an “understanding” of the reasons for existence, the purpose of living and the phenomena of the entire universe. And the great “mystery” that “man” has tried to “spoil” is regarding “Jesus Christ” as GOD. Therefore, Paul further WARNS the “Colossians” of such a maniacal “man” found in their midst:

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 – Colossians 2:8

Paul WARNS that “lest any man should beguile” any of “us” with their “enticing words” of which is the typical ATTACK of ALL foolish “false” religious systems. WHY? Because these LIARS are quite cleaver and their “arguments” can be VERY convincing! This is the typical approach of these rank “religious” ruses. However, the ONLY place the “treasures” from God’s “spirit” of “wisdom and revelation” are FOUND is “hidden” within “Jesus Christ” our Lord:

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him – Ephesians 1:17

These “heretics” will DENY the DEITY of “Jesus Christ” and His SUFFICIENCY to SAVE lost “souls” from hell. However, the very moment that “we” opened our “hearts” and “minds” to God’s “free gift” of a “new life” through GRACE in “Jesus Christ” His “Son,” He “saved” each of us – Eternally!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: The word "philosophy" is derived from two Greek words: phileo means to “love” and sophia means “wisdom.” Therefore, "philosophy" is the love of wisdom. The city of “Colossae” along with the surrounding cites of “Hieropolis” and “Laodicea” all had their share of fallible philosophers. Consequently, the “beloved” at “Colossae” were in dire DANGER of being captivated, infiltrated and duped by these “men” and their heinous HUMAN wisdom. And they were lurking at the doorstep of the “church” vying for complete CONTROL. And that's Paul's great CONCERN of “heart” throughout this excellent epistle – BEWARE!

Here are further WARNINGS from the New Testament concerning these “deceitful” menaces of God’s “Gospel” message:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves – Matthew 7:15

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees – Matthew 16:6

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock – Act 20:29

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision – Philippians 3:2

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts – 2 Timothy 3:6

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness – 2 Peter 3:17

Therefore, Paul WARNS us to be CONSTANTLY aware of the FALSEHOODS and perpetuated IGNORANCE of human rank “religious” systems. Again, we have “Jesus Christ” our Lord – He is ENOUGH!

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power – Colossians 2:9-10

The word "Godhead" is the word for the essence of “Jesus Christ” and His DEITY within a human BODY and we have been COMPLETED in Him with ETERNAL results. And when we became a “Christian” by God’s GRACE we received EVERYTHING we NEED and are “partakers” of DEVINE supernatural life IN Him – Praise the Lord!

In closing:

The primary impetus of this poignant passage is this: DO NOT CHANGE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF JESUS CHRIST! Your CHRISTOLOGY is KEY to VICTORIOUS useful “Christian” living. Therefore, we MUST keep “walking” IN “Jesus Christ” with a CONTINUING “steadfast faith” and CONVICTION in a life PATTERNED after Him. And if you've “received” Him, do NOT foolishly “forsake” Him – Walk as HE walked!

REAL REFLECTIONS: Beloved, may God give US the courage and boldness to “contend earnestly for the faith” that was signed, sealed and delivered some – 2000 years ago…

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints – Jude 3

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!

With this information as a foundation for your personal studies, please read through verses 1-10 in the second of the excellent book to the Colossians.

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – Come quickly Lord Jesus!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><