Colossians 2:1-7
Gordon E. Johnson
Rio Grande Bible Institute
In our series of devotionals on Colossians, we have see the fervent Prayer of Paul for his friends whom he had never seen (1:9-14), his presentation of the Incomparable Christ (1: 15-23) and then the Ultimate Indwelling of Christ, "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (1:24-29). Without a break Col. 2:1-7 presents what was in Paul's heart but lying behind this precious teaching. What was in his heart was a contest, a spiritual battle, "For I want you to know how great a struggle (contest) I have on your behalf" (2:1) and for others unknown to him as in Laodicea (4:13; Rev. 3:14) and Hierapolis. The word "struggle" is rooted in our work "agonize."
Notice the title: The Heart of a Leader/Believer. Paul is not writing from a position of authority, but rather takes his place alongside any believer who cares for a fellow believer. Would to God we had more leaders and believers that would follow his example! Paul knew that false doctrine, Gnosticism --an intellectualism foreign to the Message of the Cross, was making inroads into the area churches. He writes to face the challenge of false doctrine. Gnosticism denied the true deity and humanity of Jesus, hence Paul's earlier prayer and description of the Incomparable Christ. He was re-establishing the ground rules for faith.
To face this contest, Paul desires "that their hearts may be encouraged (braced for), having been knit together in love" (2:2). The word for "encourage" is the very root of the comforter, the Paraclete (John 14:16) who comes alongside to strengthen. To be knit together or to coalesce with love as the very bond of strength, this was to the end that they might know the true or full knowledge ("epignosis") of Christ, the mystery of God. (2:2). In saying this he is responding to the false teaching that its knowledge, secret and special, was the essence of religion. Paul affirms that it is the mystery of Christ, being God himself --not mysterious or difficult to grasp--but truths fully available to us in Christ. These are truths hidden from them but ours to grasp and believe (2:3) "In whom (Christ) are all the treasures of wisdom hidden" and ours to take.
In brief, Paul is saying the truth is not in the Mystery Religions that were infiltrating the churches, but the revealed "mystery" of Christ "in whom all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form" (2:9). Christ is the answer and he dwells in us. We don't need outside assistance but inner strengthening. He will proceed to tells "how" in the passage.
Paul is convinced that the Colossians for whom he agonizes in prayer will stand firm in the faith received from Epaphras (1:7), to stand firm a military term of keeping rank against an enemy assault (2:5). For Paul the victory has been already won. He will detail that in 2:9-3:17. But for now his counsel is reassuring. "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord --a unique expression --so walk in Him" (2:6). This means more than how the message was heard but the content of the message, Christ himself, received in simple faith grounded in the validity of the message. Nothing more is needed and anything more added is anathema. Here is the simplicity of the message, resurrection life through believing. As we received him, so we walk, a present progressive command.
This solid once and for all "rooting" (as a tree) is followed by the progressive building that issues in gratitude. "Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed and overflowing with gratitude" (2:7). Paul enjoins the battle against false doctrine with the Incomparable Christ who dwells in us. We need only to walk in Him by faith. God give us such leaders/believers!
G. E. Johnson
