Keys of Truth: Colossians Chapter 2

Chapter summary
Paul prays constantly that the believers in Colossae and Laodicea may really understand what they have in Christ, who is the storehouse where God has placed all the "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (2:1-5). Gnostics claim access to a superior knowledge, but the secret of the Christian's life is to remain rooted in the Lord (vv. 6-7). Paul then lists a series of warnings. Spiritual reality is not to be found in "deceptive philosophy," but in union with a Christ in whom all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form (vv. 8-15). Spiritual reality is not found in legalism (vv. 16-17), in the worship of angels (vv. 18-19), or in an asceticism which makes a person look good, but has no value in restraining expressions of one's sin nature (vv. 20-23).

1) Paul labored diligently for the growth and development of the Church; those in Christ known to him and those unknown.

2) We are to be united in love, and come to a complete understanding of the riches we have in Christ.

3) Jesus Christ is the mystery that God has made know unto us.

4) God has hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Jesus Christ.

5) We are not to be mislead by things that sound good. Jesus Christ is all.

6) We are to be orderly and be unyielding in faith.

7) Because we have received Jesus Christ as Lord, we are to live as God’s people.

8) We are to be rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ.

9) The truth we are taught should strengthen us in our faith and cause us to overflow with thanksgiving.

10) We should be careful regarding shallow and misleading philosophy (thinking). The ways of the world are in opposition to ways of Jesus Christ.

11) Jesus Christ is the manifestation of God in the flesh (human form).

12) We are complete in Christ (Jesus). Jesus has preeminence over every ruler, power and authority.

13) In Christ (Jesus) we are made right with God. Nothing done by man makes us right with God.

14) Our old corrupt nature is removed by the work of Christ.

15) The old nature is buried with Christ in baptism. Also, in baptism we are brought back to life through faith in the power of God, who brought Jesus back to life after His death on the cross.

16) We were once dead because of our failures (sins) and corrupt nature (sinful nature). However, we are now alive in Christ, who insures forgiveness of our sins.

17) All of the charges against us for violating the laws of God have been erased. All of the charges against us were nailed to the cross upon which Jesus died.

18) God has defeated all powers and authorities, and has made a public display of their defeat by celebrating the victory won in Christ.

19) Therefore, let no one judge you because of what you eat or drink or about the observance of annual holy days, festivals, or weekly worship days.

20) All of the holy days and festivals were a shadow of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is now clearly seen in His body the Church.

21) We are to reject those that teach against the true Word of God. Be careful of those who do not have true humility.

22) The person that is not truly humble has a sinful mind that fills them with arrogance; that person gives endless details of the revelations they have received.

23) The arrogant person loses the reality of Jesus Christ’s preeminence. Jesus Christ makes the whole body (Church) grow as God wants it to, through the support and unity of the whole body (Church).

24) We are to die to the world’s way of doing things. The world cannot tell the Church how to live.

25) Our justification is in Christ Jesus, not in religious practices (self-imposed worship, false humility and harsh treatment of our bodies). These practices will not make us right with God.