Colossians Chapter 2

(Colossians 2:1 [KJV])
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;

• Paul was even in turmoil for people he had never met, only heard of from his messengers

(Colossians 2:2 [KJV])
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;

• This verse contains the Trinity, right here. God the Spirit, the Father the Son, Jesus Christ
• Knitting is done so that it can be unraveled, once started at an end. It takes removing one loop, at which point the entire thing can be unraveled with a single pull
• We can be close knit in love, but unraveling, though hard at first, becomes easier over a short amount of time, even in close relationships
• Having a full assurance of understanding is true riches and wealth, above everything else in this life. It is godly wisdom.

(Colossians 2:3 [KJV])
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

• In Christ is where wisdom is stored, a treasure to be discovered, dug up, opened, used, shared and never to be reburied
• We know very little of that which we will know when we get to heaven

(Deuteronomy 29:29 [KJV])
The secret [things belong] unto the LORD our God: but those [things which are] revealed [belong] unto us and to our children for ever, that [we] may do all the words of this law.

(Colossians 2:4 [KJV])
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

• The reason for saying this was because the Greeks sought wisdom, while the Jews required a sign
• The lure, the bait, the enticement was "some new thing", just like today with the "New Age" Movement
• There is nothing new under the sun, according to God Himself

(Acts 17:16-20 [KJV])
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, [is]? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

(1 Corinthians 1:22 [KJV])
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

(Ecclesiastes 1:8-11 [KJV])
All things [are] full of labour; man cannot utter [it]: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. The thing that hath been, it [is that] which shall be; and that which is done [is] that which shall be done: and [there is] no new [thing] under the sun. Is there [any] thing whereof it may be said, See, this [is] new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. [There is] no remembrance of former [things]; neither shall there be [any] remembrance of [things] that are to come with [those] that shall come after.

(Colossians 2:5 [KJV])
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.

• Through prayer, to the Father, via the Spirit, we are as one, as well as through testimonies back via messengers
• There is joy in seeing the fruit, visibly, but Paul cannot see it, but the testimonies bring it to him, bring it to life.
• The Holy Spirit works with our spirit to make this so.

(Colossians 2:6 [KJV])
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him:

• This command is from Paul, but also from the LORD and His Word
• One cannot simply walk IN Christ unless they dwell IN Christ, as in being saved
• We rest in Christ, and walk in Christ, meaning it is activity, but brings joy and peace.

FOLLOWING THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

(Matthew 4:19 [KJV])
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

(Matthew 8:22 [KJV])
But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

(Matthew 9:9 [KJV])
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

(Matthew 16:24 [KJV])
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

(Matthew 19:21 [KJV])
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.

(Mark 2:14 [KJV])
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

(Mark 8:34 [KJV])
And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

(Mark 10:21 [KJV])
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

(Luke 5:27 [KJV])
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.

(Luke 9:23 [KJV])
And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

(Luke 9:59 [KJV])
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

(Luke 18:22 [KJV])
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

(John 1:43 [KJV])
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

(John 10:27 [KJV])
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

(John 12:26 [KJV])
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.

(John 13:36 [KJV])
Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

(John 21:19 [KJV])
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

(1 Corinthians 11:1 [KJV])
Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.

(Colossians 2:7 [KJV])
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

• Rooted, built up "IN Him", "established IN the faith", "abounding therein with thanksgiving".........this is a natural result

(Colossians 2:8 [KJV])
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.

• Beware of false teachers, false prophets, denominations, fame, popularity, famous authors of published books, mega-churches, TV and radio preachers
• This is all across the board
• Always follow the $$$$$$$$$ trail
• Vain deceit.....the word "vain" occurs 104 times in Scripture, and means useless, ineffective, fruitless, ineffective, empty, worthless, possessing no substance, value or importance.
• Therefore, the message conveyed is that philosophy, in Paul's day with the sophists of the Greco-Roman empire, as in our day, is nothing but wasteful and deceitful, drawing us away from the truth, never to it

VAIN, a. [L. vanus; Eng. wan, wane, want.]

1. Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance. 1 Pet 1.
   To your vain answer will you have recourse.
   Every man walketh in a vain show. Psa 39.
   Why do the people imagine a vain thing? Psa 2.
2. Fruitless; ineffectual. All attempts, all efforts were vain.
   Vain is the force of man.
3. Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; elated with a high opinion of one's own accomplishments, or with things more showy than valuable; conceited.
   The minstrels play'd on every side, vain of their art -
4. Empty; unreal; as a vain chimers.
5. Showy; ostentatious.
   Load some vain church with old theatric state.
6. Light; inconstant; worthless. Prov 12.
7. Empty; unsatisfying. The pleasures of life are vain.
8. False; deceitful; not genuine; spurious. James 1.
9. Not effectual; having no efficacy
   Bring no more vain oblations. Isa 1.
   In vain, to no purpose; without effect; ineffectual.
   In vain they do worship me. Mat 15.
   
10. To take the name of God in vain, to use the name of God with levity or profaneness.

(Colossians 2:9 [KJV])
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

• Very much impossible if Jesus were not %100 God (fulness of the Godhead), %100 man (bodily)
• Dwelleth in Him, as in one body
• Divine and mankind, in ONE

(Acts 17:29 [KJV])
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

(Romans 1:20 [KJV])
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

GOD'HEAD, n. god'hed.

1. Godship; deity; divinity; divine nature or essence; applied to the true God, and to heathen deities.
2. A deity in person; a god or goddess.

(Colossians 2:10 [KJV])
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

• When we are in Christ, we are declared perfect, righteous, holy before God the Father
• Spiritually complete, we spiritually need nothing more to get to Heaven...we are on our way

(Colossians 2:11 [KJV])
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

• This is the reason that Paul railed on ANYONE who wanted the Gentiles to keep their law-because they were already circumcised
• This is because Christ kept the Law perfectly, all of His life, and we are in Him, so spiritually, so did/do/will we, by declaration of God until that day, to God

(Colossians 2:12 [KJV])
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

• This is often quoted at baptisms
• What is often missed and overlooked is how it states clearly that it is "through the faith of the operation of God", not us, not by works
• Baptism is a representation of Christ's burial, so that ends discussion on any "baptism by sprinkling" of any babies into a faith they are unable to understand, as babies

(Colossians 2:13 [KJV])
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

• We were dead in sin, we are alive in Christ, resurrected from the grave like Him spiritually now, literally later, if we die and leave this earth
• Forgiven ALL trespasses, not most, not some, not a few, not "until we sin today or tomorrow" (because we will)

(Colossians 2:14 [KJV])
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

• Like a wanted poster, Jesus took the rap for us, turning Himself in for us, in our place
• This could only be done by a perfect person, since our sin nature and sins are perfectly evil, our destiny was perfectly just, perfectly eternal, therefore the reward, purchase price, payment of our debt had to be perfectly sufficient to satisfy that debt, with God's own Perfect and Holy Blood
• Handwritten.....by the Hand of God Himself, the offended Creator and Judge of us all. You do not get more personal than that

BLOTTING OUT

BLOT, v.t. [L. litura,[whence lituro, oblitero.] without the prefix.]

1. To spot with ink; to stain or bespatter with ink; as, to blot a paper.
2. To obliterate writing or letters with ink, so as to render the characters invisible, or not distinguishable; generally with out; as, to blot out a word or a sentence.
3. To efface; to erase; to cause to be unseen, or forgotten; to destroy; as, to blot out a crime, or the remembrance of any thing.
4. To stain with infamy; to tarnish;; to disgrace; to disfigure.
   Blot not thy innocence with guiltless blood.
5. 5. To darken
   He sung how earth blots the moon's gilded wane.
6. In scripture, to blot one out of the book of life, is to reject him from the number of those who are to be saved. To blot out a name, a person or a nation, is to destroy the person or nation; to exterminate or consume. To blot out sins, is to forgive them. Sins are compared to debts, which are recorded in God's book of remembrance,and when paid, are crossed or cancelled.

(Exodus 32:32 [KJV])
Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

(Exodus 32:33 [KJV])
And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

(Numbers 5:23 [KJV])
And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot [them] out with the bitter water:

(Deuteronomy 9:14 [KJV])
Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.

(Deuteronomy 25:19 [KJV])
Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance to possess it, [that] thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget [it].

(Deuteronomy 29:20 [KJV])
The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

(2 Kings 14:27 [KJV])
And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.

(Nehemiah 4:5 [KJV])
And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked [thee] to anger before the builders.

(Job 31:7 [KJV])
If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;

(Psalms 51:1 [KJV])
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

(Psalms 51:9 [KJV])
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

(Psalms 69:28 [KJV])
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

(Psalms 109:13 [KJV])
Let his posterity be cut off; [and] in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

(Psalms 109:14 [KJV])
Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

(Isaiah 43:25 [KJV])
I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

(Isaiah 44:22 [KJV])
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

(Jeremiah 18:23 [KJV])
Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay [me]: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal [thus] with them in the time of thine anger.

(Acts 3:19 [KJV])
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

(Colossians 2:14 [KJV])
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

(Revelation 3:5 [KJV])
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

(Colossians 2:15 [KJV])
[And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

• The public, open and visible ministry, healings, whippings, scourgings, beatings, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection were all done openly, for the world then and there to see.
• That said, the defeat of the enemy was defeated in the spiritual realm, to the delight of all in Heaven
• The cheer at the Resurrection, in Heaven, by the angels, must have been an uproar

(Colossians 2:16 [KJV])
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]:

• Since Jesus won, the law has no power over us, so we are not to let anyone tell us that it does
• Our life is to be lived to the glory of God
• Judgment for such things is now evil

(1 Corinthians 10:23-33 [KJV])
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's [wealth].
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, [that] eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you [to a feast], and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another [man's] conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all [men] in all [things], not seeking mine own profit, but the [profit] of many, that they may be saved.

(Colossians 2:17 [KJV])
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ.

• Earthly things, truly done for God, in Israel, were always a shadow of future, heavenly things with God
• But we are not to literally, physically practice them as the church, the sacrifices, the altar, the temple (we are the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 3:16-17
• The body of Christ is not to be the body of the world and its religions, its cultic and occultic systems

(Hebrews 8:5 [KJV])
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

(Colossians 2:18 [KJV])
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

• Colosse was a place where they did indeed and in fact worship angels
• Pious people, religious people, unsaved, always feign humility. It is a false humility, plainly evident, quite often, when you challenge their strange doctrine(s)
• You do these things and you lose heavenly rewards, simple as that.
• No angel in God's Word accepted worship, but rather asked the person bowing down to worship Jesus only.
• Works salvation of any type, any religion, any cult, is nearly always accompanied by the delving into the spiritual realm, claiming angels visited and spoke to them, using pharmakia (drugs), magic, sorcery, shamanism, etc.
• Further, this then leads to false wisdom, false claims of intellectual superiority, etc.

FALSE WORSHIP OF ANGELS

(Exodus 32:8 [KJV])
They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

(Matthew 4:8-10 [KJV])
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

(Romans 1:25 [KJV])
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

(2 Corinthians 11:14,15 [KJV])
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

(Revelation 19:10 [KJV])
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

(Revelation 22:8 [KJV])
And I John saw these things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

(Revelation 22:9 [KJV])
Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

(Colossians 2:19 [KJV])
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

• The LORD Jesus Christ is the Head, not the body, so we do not tell Jesus what to do and how; He tells us
• Both in numbers, maturity and in wisdom the church grows only with the LORD Jesus Christ as the Head
• We are not a blob, but have arms, legs, other parts, connected, as well as in the body, to get different jobs done

(Colossians 2:20 [KJV])
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

• Keeping the law for any other reason than to keep in fellowship with God and mankind is an affront to God, serves no one, including ourselves, and will neither save us nor keep us saved.
• Paul is saying, "Why even bother?"

(Colossians 2:21 [KJV])
(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

• The dietary and sanitary laws, very specific in nature, Post Flood were given for health, our health physically, not for religious purposes in any way
• Add to this most assuredly not for salvation, nor to keep it. They are for our physical good only, and to keep decency, order

VEGETARIANISM/VEGANISM PROPHESIED

(1 Timothy 4:1-5 [KJV])
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

(Colossians 2:22 [KJV])
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

• Living in the flesh, trying to keep the law, all always bring death, never life
• The keeping of any laws was never given to spiritually revive us, since it was given to a fallen world as it is, post-fall (Genesis 1-3)
• This would include all dietary laws. Outside of healthy living, the death rate is one per person, despite any diet.

(Colossians 2:23 [KJV])
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

• Crucifying the flesh is what is called for, not walking in it.
• The honor comes from this, not to the satisfaction of ourselves, which leads to death
• Follow Christ, Who leads to life, and do away with the flesh, walking in the Spirit.

Colossians Chapter 3