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The thick roots of an old olive tree gripping bare limestone on a hillside at first light.

The Book of

Colossians 2

Someone in Colossae is saying Christ is not enough. Paul answers: in Him you already have everything.

23 verses≈ 4 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

  1. 1Christ firstImage of God, head of the church
  2. 2Complete in HimNothing needs adding to ChristChapter 2
  3. 3–4:6Raised with HimNew life at home and at work
  4. 4:7–18FriendsNews, greetings, a signature

Absent in Body, Present in Spirit

For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me face to face, that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,

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in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

Colossians 2:3

I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric. For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.

Three towns in one valley

Laodicea“those at Laodicea”Hierapolisa few miles onColossaeabout ten miles up thevalley

Whiteboard

Paul is struggling for the believers in Colossae “and for those at Laodicea”, about ten miles down the Lycus valley, with Hierapolis a few miles beyond. Three towns in sight of one another, and Paul had met none of them “face to face.” He knew them through Epaphras, and he carried them in prayer.

Alive with Christ

just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him

Colossians 2:6–7

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.

Colossians 2:9

And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Question

Quick question

Paul warns the Colossians not to be taken captive by teaching that leaves Christ behind. Then he tells them exactly who Christ is.

What does Paul say dwells in Christ “in bodily form”?

In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

A folded papyrus record pinned to a rough timber beam by a single iron nail, in low dawn light.

When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took 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.

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

triumphing over them by the cross

Colossians 2:15

What God did in Christ

Made complete“complete in Christ”Circumcised byChrist“not by human hands”Buried andraised“raised with Him”Made alive“He forgave us all ourtrespasses”Debt canceled“nailing it to thecross!”Powers disarmed“triumphing over them”

Whiteboard

Every line on this board is something God has already done, not something we add. In Christ believers are complete, joined to Him in His death and His rising, made alive and forgiven. The charge against us is canceled, and the powers are defeated “by the cross.”

Pray

Nailed to the cross

Paul says God “forgave us all our trespasses” and took the debt that stood against us away, “nailing it to the cross!” Thank God for one thing you know He has forgiven you. Then thank Him that the whole debt is gone, not just part of it.

If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”?

These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Reflect

Nothing to add

Paul tells believers, “you have been made complete in Christ.” Yet it is easy to feel we need something more to be right with God: a better record, a stricter rule, a special experience. Is there anything you lean on alongside Christ? Write it down, and then write beside it: complete in Him.

You’ve experienced

Colossians 2

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A verse to carry with you

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.

Colossians 2:9

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