Category: Bible

Nailing It To His Cross

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Colossians 2:14 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

‘Blotting out’ [Greek: exaleipho] blot out (2:14; Acts 3:19; Rev. 3:5) and wipe away (Rev. 7:17; 21:4). The allusion here is to erasing ink from parchment by a fluid as the muriatic acid, or erasing oriental inks of burnt ivory, cork, and gum water by a wet sponge. No trace of the writing can be seen afterwards.

‘Handwriting’ [Greek: cheirographon] something written by hand; written decree. It refers to the complete law of Moses – not just the ceremonial part of the law, but the commandments also and every detail of the old contract.

‘Contrary to us’ – The whole law of Moses was against us and contrary to us and had to be taken out of the way or redemption could never have been experienced. The law made no provision for redemption. It only cursed and killed all men because all broke the law and could not possibly keep it (Rom. 8:3; Gal. 1:6; 3:5, 19; 2Cor. 3:6).

‘And took it out of the way’ – He took the law of Moses out of the way (out of the midst), so we do not have to remain under its curse and the eternal death penalty. Since it is out of our way, let us not stumble over it again. Keep it out of our way.

‘Nailing it to his cross’ – This is how He took the law of Moses out of our way. He simply nailed it to the cross and annulled its penalty so we could have a new start in life before God again. Figuratively, He killed the killer. He crucified the thing that brought guilt and death to all men (Rom. 3:19-20; 6:23; 8:2-3; 2Cor. 3:6-7; Eph. 2:14-16). Ancient laws are said to have been abrogated by nailing them to a post.

Buried with Him in Baptism

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Colossians 2:12-13 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses 

‘Buried with him in baptism.’ Baptism is by burial or immersion (Matt. 3:11). This does not refer to water baptism, but to the baptism into Christ and into His body by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 6:1-10; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27). Water baptism is a symbol or figure of this spiritual baptism (1Pet. 3:21).

There are seven baptisms in Scripture: [1] John’s baptism in water (Matt. 3:1-17; Mark 1:1-45; Luke 3:1-38; 7:29-30; John 1:31-33; 3:23-26; 10:40; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 19:3); [2] Christ’s baptism in water (John 3:22; 4:1-2); [3] Baptism in suffering (Luke 12:50); [4] Baptism in the cloud and the sea (1Cor. 10:2); [5] Christian baptism in water (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-41; 8:12-16, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; 1Cor. 1:13-17; 1Pet. 3:21); [6] Baptism into Christ and into His body (Rom. 6:3-7; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12); [7] Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11, 14; 20:22-23; Mark 1:8; 10:38-39; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; 7:37-39; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 19:2-3).

Three baptisms are for believers: [1] Into Christ or into His body at repentance and the new birth (pt. 6). Called “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5), because it is the only baptism that saves the soul and brings into the body of Christ. [2] Water baptism after one is saved (pt. 5). [3] Spirit baptism, is the enduement of power for service. It can take place before water baptism (Acts 10:44-48) or after it (Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-11; 8:12-21; 19:1-7).

The Holy Spirit is the agent to baptize into Christ and into His body (1Cor. 12:13); Christ is the agent to baptize in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; John 1:31-33); and the minister is the agent to baptize into water (Matt. 28:19).

‘Wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead.’ This baptism refers to the spiritual resurrection from death in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1-9). It is an operation of God, not of a preacher who baptizes in water (2Cor. 12:13; Rom. 6:1-10; Gal. 3:27). It is made effective through the faith of the operation of God, not through the operation of others.

‘You, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.’ This verse is the same in doctrine as Ephesians 2:1, 5, 11, proving that this baptism is not the one in water by a minister. It is God here that quickens or resurrects from death in trespasses and sins. No minister can do this by water.

Complete in Him

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Colossians 2:10-11 And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ

‘Complete in him’ –  we need nothing more when we are in Him [in unity] (John 15:1-7). The so-called doctrine of interpenetration, that is, persons entering physical into each other, is false. The Bible does speak of the Corinthians and Philippians being in Paul’s heart (2Cor. 7:3; Php. 1:7); God being in Christ (2Cor. 5:19); Christ being in God (John 14:20); God and Christ being in each other (John 14:10-11); men being in both the Father and the Son (1Jn. 2:24); men being in Christ (2Cor. 5:17); men and the Spirit being in each other (Rom. 8:9); Christ being in men (Col. 1:27; Rom. 8:10); man and Christ being in each other (John 14:20); all creation being in God (Acts 17:28); and satan entering into men (Luke 22:3; John 13:27). However, these passages refer to being in union with, being consecrated to the same end – one in mind, purpose, and life. They do not teach the physical entrance of one being into another. It may be best understood by a man and woman becoming one in life together, being in each other’s plans, life, etc.

‘In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.’ Literally, in Him, you have been circumcised, not by cutting the flesh, but by the circumcision of Christ in putting off the body of sins of the flesh. Christ became circumcised and fulfilled all the Law to become a true mediator between God and man. Now through Him, we are freed from all Mosaic law observance and have been redeemed through the work of Christ on the cross (2:11-17; 1:14, 20-25; 1Pet. 2:24).

All The Fulness

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Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelled all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 

‘For in him dwelled all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.’ In Christ alone – not in the philosophies, vain deceit, human traditions of the Jews and Gentiles, or the world principles, church religions – will be found the fullness of the Godhead in reality, or bodily. Jewish institutions were mere shadows of the realities and of the redemption made through the offering of the body of Christ in sacrifice (2:14-17; Matt. 26:26-28; Rom. 7:6; Eph. 2:16; Heb. 10:1-18; 1Pet. 2:24). Hence, the Greek word somatikos translating as bodily and referring to that which is real in contrast to that which is typical, or shadowy as in Colossians 2:17 and Hebrews 10:1.

The Greek word for Godhead is Theotes meaning Deity. It occurs only here and relates to the Godhead or Deity personally. Christ is the personal and bodily manifestation of all the fullness of Deity. He was God incarnate and the manifestation of all the fullness of God’s power and blessings to men (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:34-35). The fullness of the Holy Spirit rested upon Him and worked through His body (Isa. 11:2; 42:1-7; 61:1-2; John 3:34; Acts 10:38). The fullness of redemption from the Deity came through His body (1Pet. 2:24). This is why we become complete in Him and why He is the head of all principality and power (2:10; 1:16-18; Eph. 1:20-23; Php. 2:9-11; 1Pet. 3:22).

Through Philosophy and Vain Deceit

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Colossians 2:8 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. 

‘Spoil’ [Greek: sulagogeo] to carry off as booty or plunder; to rob and despoil. Why such a warning if there is no possibility of their goods being taken from them? This clearly shows the possibility of man robbing others of Christ and His blessings. This does not contradict John 10:28-29 and Romans 8:35-39 or any other passage. One must follow Christ and be fully persuaded as in these passages or any man can be robbed and spoiled.

Seven ways that people can spoil Christians: Through philosophy (2:8). Through vain deceit (2:4, 8, 18-19). Through human traditions (2:8). Through human religion and world principles contrary to the gospel (2:8, 14-23; Gal. 4:3). Through circumcision (2:11-13; Acts 15:1; Rom. 4:9-16; Gal. 5:1-11). Through the Law of Moses which demanded observance of the laws on meats, drinks, holy days, new moons, feasts, and sabbaths (2:14-17). Through false cults that puff up and imitate the gospel (2:18-23). By all these means, unsuspecting souls are being carried off as plunder and booty by false teachers. The founders of false religions and human philosophies which pamper the flesh and give their victims elated feelings of importance appeal to them.

‘Philosophy’ [Greek: philosophia] refers to the Mosaic institutions, human traditions of the Jews, and their vain reasonings against the gospel, as well as the various heathen reasonings in religion that are so popular today where people make their own opinion about the Word their gospel. Both Josephus and Philo used the word of all the Mosaic institutions – the philosophy of Moses, and in particular, the hundreds of human interpretations and traditions that even nullified the law of Moses (2:8; Matt. 15:2-13; Gal. 1:14). Today there are so many philosophies that deny even God’s existence and Him as Creator.

‘Rudiments of the world.’ World principles and ways contrary to the gospel (Gal. 4:3).

‘Not after Christ’ – That is, the Jewish and heathen philosophies and the rudiments of the world are not according to the simple gospel of Christ who died to save us (1:20-25).

So Walk You In Him

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Colossians 2:6- 7 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 

‘As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord …’ Colossians 2:6-7 express the secret of victorious living in Christ. One becomes a new creature in Christ, and if he walks, he will always be safe from falling. One must not only walk in Christ, but he must abound in and continue being rooted, grounded, and established in the faith of the gospel (1Pet. 2:21-23; 1Jn. 2:6).

‘Walk you in him’ – Thirty-two things noted in Colossians, that Christians must do: Walk as when you received Christ (2:6). Be rooted in Christ (2:7) and be built up in Christ. Be established in the faith. Abound in the faith. Be joyful in the faith. Beware of deception (2:4, 8, 18-19). Let no man judge your eating (2:16). Let none judge you in drinking [not allowing alcohol] or your holy days, new moons, festivals, sabbaths. Live dead to the world and all its sinful ways (2:20-23; 1Jn. 2:15-17; Rom. 12:1-2; Jas. 4:4). Seek things above (3:1). Set affections above (3:2). Mortify members on earth (3:5): fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness which is idolatry. Put off the old man (3:8): anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another (3:9). Put on the new man (3:10-12). Forbear one another (3:13). Forgive each other. Put on divine love (3:14). Let God’s peace rule (3:15) and be thankful. Let God’s Word dwell in you (3:16). Teach, admonish one another. Sing with grace. Do all things in Jesus’ name (3:17). Give thanks to God. Continue in prayer (4:2). Watch with thanksgiving. Walk in wisdom (4:5). Redeem the time. Speak with seasoned grace (4:6).

All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge

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Colossians 2:3-5 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 

‘In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’ Not “in whom,” but “in which,” referring to the mysteries of Colossians 2:2. In these mysteries of the gospel are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We read in Romans 11:33: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

‘Beguile’ [Greek: paralogizomai] deceive. Deceive by subtle reasoning, in which conclusions drawn and evidence assumed may seem conclusive in themselves but are false and contrary to the gospel.

‘I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.’ This verse does not read like Paul was a total stranger to Colosse. It shows that the congregation was in good shape as to order of discipline, sound doctrine, and faith in Christ.

Being Knit Together In Love

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Colossians 2:1-2 For I would that you 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; 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 

‘Laodicea’ – A city of Phrygia near Colosse.

‘As many as have not seen my face in the flesh.’ This is no proof that he had never been to Colosse or Laodicea. Many new converts could have come into the congregations after his departure who had not seen him while there.

‘That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love …’ Six things Paul desired for them: That their hearts may be comforted. That they are knit together in love. That they have full assurance and knowledge. That they acknowledge the mystery of God. That they acknowledge the mystery of the Father. That they acknowledge the mystery of Christ (1:26-27; 1Tim. 3:16; Eph. 3:1-8).

‘Full assurance’ [Greek: plerophoria] used four times of full or complete assurance: of understanding (2:2); of the gospel (1Thess. 1:5); of hope (Heb. 6:11); of faith (Heb. 10:22).

‘Mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.’ This refers to the mysteries [things not known previously under the law but are now revealed] of the gospel that are now revealed by God and Christ (1:26-27; 4:3; Matt. 13:11; Rom. 16:25; 1Cor. 2:7; 4:1; Eph. 1:9; 3:1-9; 5:32; 6:19; 1Tim. 3:9, 16).

Perfect in Christ Jesus

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Colossians 1:26-29 Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily. 

‘The mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints.’ This mystery is that the Gentiles should be partakers with the Jews in the gospel and be in the same Christian congregations (Eph. 2:14-22; 3:1-7; 1Cor. 12:13), and be partakers of Christ (1:27). Nothing is hidden in the Word of God for all was given to us in writing as revealed by God through the prophets and apostles (Heb. 1:1-2). This was just something not previously explained or understood. God is not a mysterious God as most people believe, He revealed Himself to us through His divine library of 66 that He revealed over 1,800 years to more than 40 authors.

‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ Fourteen facts about Christ: Head of the kingdom (1:13; Rev. 20:1-15). Redeemer (1:14; Matt. 26:28; Gal. 4:5). Image of the invisible God (1:15). Firstborn of every creature (1:16). Creator of all things. An eternal Being (1:17; Mic. 5:2). Upholder of all things (Heb. 1:3). Head of His body of believers (1:18, 24; Eph. 5:1-33). The originator of all things. Firstborn from the dead. The pre-eminent One (1:18-19; 2:9). The fullness of God (1:19; 2:9) and the Mediator between God and man (1:20-22; 2Cor. 5:14-21; 1Tim. 2:4-6). The indweller of saints (1:27; Luke 22:3).

‘Perfect in Christ Jesus’ – Perfect [Greek: teleios] mature; complete. It is used for full growth, as men, and not children, in Christian knowledge – thoroughly instructed and deeply experienced (2Cor. 2:6; 14:20; Eph. 4:13; Jas. 1:4; 3:2; Heb. 5:14; 1Jn. 4:18). This kind of perfection refers to the complete and glorified state we will reach in Christ in the hereafter. We are warned many times in Scripture to be perfect now in this life already which means utter simplicity, sincerity, being free from guile and evil intention toward anyone; having no part lacking in outward life, conduct, and religion. It does not mean sinless perfection or being without any tendencies to evil, for we can still choose to act selfishly or sin.

‘I also labour, striving according to his working.’ To be able to present every man perfect in Christ (1:28), Paul laboured with all his might by the mighty power God has given to him.

The Dispensation of God

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Colossians 1:24-25 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God 

‘Fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake.’ To complete, not the sufferings of Christ for our sins, but that which all believers are called to suffer for Christ’s body and truth (Rom. 8:18; 2Tim. 3:12).

‘Dispensation of God which is given to me for you.’ There are five dispensations named in Scripture: The dispensation or administration of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-9). Dispensation of the gospel (1Cor. 9:17), which is Paul’s administration of the gospel of grace. The dispensation of the grace of God (Eph. 3:2); is the same as the dispensation of the gospel. The dispensation of God (Col. 1:25 – God’s own administration of grace given to Paul; the same as pt. 2). The dispensation of the fullness of times, in which God gathers together all things in heaven and the earth in Christ ridding the earth of all rebellion (Eph. 1:10; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:1-15).

Seven dispensations of man are noted beside the dispensation of angels (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17) and the eternal dispensation of the redeemed and faithful angels (Rev. 21-22; Isa. 66:22-24; 2Pet. 3:13), there are seven dispensations of man between the restoration of the earth from chaos (Gen. 1:3 – 2:25) and the New Heavens and the New Earth: the dispensation of Innocence (Gen. 3:1-24); the dispensation of Conscience (Gen. 4-8); the dispensation of Human Government (Gen. 9-11); the dispensation of Promise (Gen. 12:1- Ex. 12:36); the dispensation of Law (Ex. 12:37 – Matt. 3); the dispensation of Grace (Matt.  3:1 – Rev. 19-21); the dispensation of Divine Government during the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-15).

‘To fulfil the word of God’ – To preach the gospel in all fullness (Rom. 15:29).