Colossians 2:1-5

¹ “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments. ⁵ For even though I am absent in body, I am nevertheless with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your orderly manner and the stability of your faith in Christ.”

Verse 1: Paul expresses his deep concern and care for the believers in Colossae, as well as those in Laodicea and others who have not had the opportunity to meet him in person. He wants them to understand the depth of his love and support for them. Believers are characterized by this type of love because they have been made compatible with God.

Verse 2: Paul’s desire is for the believers to be encouraged in their hearts and to experience unity in love. He wants them to fully grasp and comprehend the riches of understanding that come from knowing Christ. In Christ, they have total forgiveness, freedom from the law, a new heart, and adoption as God’s children. Paul wanted them to understand these New Covenant truths, each one found in the person of Christ. Notice that Paul refers to Christ as the mystery of God. God’s mystery is not ambiguous or hidden. It is Jesus from start to finish.

Verse 3: Christians lack nothing from God because they have Christ in them. The New Covenant, therefore, is not about working hard to earn treasures through performance but rather realizing that we possess all things in Christ. Paul emphasizes that in Christ, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found. This means that believers have access to the fullness of God’s wisdom and knowledge through their union with Christ.

Verse 4: Paul warns the believers about the danger of being deceived by persuasive and enticing arguments. He wants them to be aware that there may be teachings or philosophies that sound appealing but are not aligned with the truth of the gospel. He encourages them to stay rooted in Christ and not be swayed by deceptive teachings. Simply because a teaching sounds good does not mean that it is not false. Many false teachings are initially appealing.

Verse 5: Even though Paul is physically absent from the believers, he assures them that he is present with them in spirit. He rejoices in their discipline and firm faith in Christ. Paul is able to state that he is one with them in spirit because he and they are one with God. It’s this identity that leads to the righteous Christian life. Paul is not speaking of spiritual disciplines such as reading the Bible. In fact, the early church was missing most of the New Testament! Rather, he is speaking of the self-control and discipline that arise as fruit of the Holy Spirit.