Col 2 Nkjv (2024)

FAQs

What is the main point of Colossians chapter 2? ›

Chapter 2 addresses various false teachings which threatened the Colossian believers. These include a reliance on human, worldly-based philosophy (Colossians 2:1–10), Jewish legalism (Colossians 2:11–17), mysticism (Colossians 2:18–19), and ascetic living (Colossians 2:20–23).

We must be firmly rooted in the Word or we will be carried away by false doctrine or the latest cultural fads. Not everything that sounds good and spiritual is. But we must also be built up. Our gratitude should overflow so everyone around us can see it and give glory to God in heaven.

The false teachers in Colossae utilized the popular Greek idea that matter or physical life was evil and that God would not lower Himself to become human. The false teachers used popular ideas and employed them with a Christian spin. The result was a philosophy (Col. 2:8) empty of the gospel's saving power.

In this passage, Paul warns Christians not to be taken in by deceptive arguments. These claims are attractive, but are merely tricks: they sound true, but they are not. Arguing for self-denial, legalism, visions, and other practices only looks good to observers. None of these are the real source of spiritual growth.

Believers have died with Christ; therefore, we need to die to our sins. We have also been raised with Christ; therefore, we must live well in Him and put on qualities that are motivated by Christian love. And because He is Lord over all, the life of the Christian is a life of submission to Jesus.

The chief focus of theological interest in Colossians is the hymn of 1.15–20 and the use which the author of the letter makes of it, for it contains ideas and claims for the status and work of Christ which are to some extent unparalleled in the New Testament.

Colossians 2 addresses specific heresies making their way through the Colossian church. Hearing that the church was entertaining false teaching was heartbreaking. Paul had prayed for these people and cared about them deeply. He also had not met many of the believers face-to-face.

Jesus made everything in the world. Col. 1:19-20 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

In this passage, Paul warns Christians not to be taken in by deceptive arguments. These claims are attractive, but are merely tricks: they sound true, but they are not. Arguing for self-denial, legalism, visions, and other practices only looks good to observers. None of these are the real source of spiritual growth.

Paul wrote his Epistle to the Colossians because of a report that they were falling into serious error (see Bible Dictionary, “Pauline Epistles”). False teachings and practices in Colossae were influencing the Saints there and threatening their faith. Similar cultural pressures pose challenges for Church members today.

What error does Paul refute in Colossians? ›

Colossians 2:16–19—Beware of False Teachings

Paul warned the Colossians to “be not moved away” from the gospel they had been taught. False doctrines were being spread by Jewish Christians who wanted gentile members to live according to the law of Moses (see Colossians 2:16–17).

Walk with the Lord in a worthy manner by bearing fruit in good works, growing in our knowledge of God, receiving God's strength, and joyfully giving thanks. We must see the glory of Jesus as God. We must remember the robust nature of Jesus' salvation. We must resolve to stay in the faith.

Colossians 2:2–3 Leads Us to Pray for God's Help

To encourage others' hearts. God, I pray in my own life. I pray for each one of us that you would help us to intentionally encourage somebody else's heart today. In the process that we would be more knit together in love and that together.

Paul begins this chapter by sharing his spiritual burden for the Colossian believers. Paul uses the Greek term agōna, which means "conflict, fight, or struggle." It's difficult to fight, spiritually speaking, for those we have not personally met.

As God's people, we are like a body and Christ is like our head. He is the one who causes the whole body to be strong. He helps us to work well together, like the different parts of a body. Then we can all grow properly, because it is God who is helping us to grow.

So Paul writes Colossians to emphasize that Jesus is the fullness of God and that anyone who is in Jesus already has received that fullness in him (2:9-10). Paul's goal is to help the original readers and us realize that Christ is enough.

Letter of Paul to the Colossians, twelfth book of the New Testament, addressed to Christians at Colossae, Asia Minor, whose congregation was founded by St. Paul the Apostle's colleague Epaphras.