Colossians 2

Colossians 2
Colossians 2
← chapter 1 chapter 3 →
	A page showing the Greek text of Epistle to the Colossians 1:28-2:3 on Codex Claromontanus from ca. AD 550.
Book	Epistle to the Colossians
Category	Pauline epistles
Christian Bible part	New Testament
Order in the Christian part	12

Last updated May 17, 2022

Colossians 2 is the second chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written for the churches in Colossae and Laodicea (see Colossians 4:16 ) by Apostle Paul, with Timothy as his co-author, while he was in prison in Ephesus (years 53–54), although there are debatable claims that it is the work of a secondary imitator, or that it was written in Rome (in the early 60s).^[1] This chapter continues the exposition about the 'Servant of the Mystery' and the warning against errors.^[2]

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 23 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Papyrus 46 (c. AD 200)
Codex Vaticanus (325-350)
Codex Sinaiticus (330-360)
Codex Alexandrinus (400-440)
Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (c. 450; complete)
Codex Freerianus (c. 450; extant verses 7–9, 16–19)
Codex Claromontanus (c. 550; in Greek and Latin )
Codex Coislinianus (c. 550; extant verses 1–8, 20–23)

Servant of the Mystery (2:1-5)

This section continues from chapter 1:24, dealing with Paul's sufferings which "reveal the present reality of grace" as a member of the body of Christ.^[2]

Verses 1–3

¹For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, ²that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^[3]

For "conflict", or the Greek word αγωνα (agōna), the Revised Geneva Translation speaks of a "great struggle",^[4] and Johann Bengel speaks of "anxiety, eager desire [and] prayers".^[5]

Warning against errors (2:6-23)

Paul warns the Colossians not to accept human speculation, regress to the religious perspectives common to fallen humanity, or return to the "domain of darkness" (cf. 1:13), whereas their original commitment is to Jesus the Lord and the truth of Christ.^[2]

Verses 6–7

⁶As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.^[6]

"Christ Jesus the Lord": this expression is only found here and in Ephesians 3:11 in the whole Bible.^[7]

Verse 8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.^[8]

"Cheat you": lit. "plunder you" or "take you captive".^[9]

Verse 9

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;^[10]

"Bodily": or "in bodily form".^[11]

Verse 11

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,^[12]

"In Him you were also circumcised" (KJV: "In whom also ye are circumcised"): This is applied to the non-Jew Christians to counter the objection by the Jews that they were not circumcised,^[13] because of the high significance of circumcision in Judaism.^[14] Paul counters this objection by stating that they were circumcised in Christ, who is their sanctification.^[13]
"With the circumcision made without hands": which is that of the heart, in the spirit.^[13] The Ethiopian version reads "by the hand of man", for though men are sometimes exhorted to circumcise themselves, as in Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4, in order to convince them of the corruption of their nature, and the need they stand in of spiritual circumcision; the Lord has graciously promised his people to do it himself for them, (Deuteronomy 30:6); as the human nature of Christ is said to be a tabernacle not made with hands, that, is of men, but of God, being what God has pitched, and not man; and it stands opposed to circumcision in the flesh, which was made with hands, (Ephesians 2:11); and by some instrument, as a sharp knife or stone.^[13]
"In putting off the body of the sins of the flesh": the Vulgate Latin, the Alexandrian versions and some others leave out the word "sins"; and the Syriac version omits the word "body".^[13] "The flesh" points to the corrupt nature (born of the flesh), which propagates in a carnal way, to be the source of all sin.^[13] "The sins" consist of various parts and members, as a body does; being united together, and receiving frequent additions, committed and yielded to by the members of the natural body.^[13]
"By the circumcision of Christ": not the one at eight days old, that was performed to fulfill all the righteousness, but the one by his Spirit.^[13]

Related Research Articles

Luke 2 is the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament, traditionally attributed to Luke the Evangelist, a companion of Paul the Apostle on his missionary journeys. It contains an account of Jesus's birth and an incident from his childhood. Verses 1–14 are often read during services of worship on Christmas Day.

Matthew 19 is the nineteenth chapter in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament section of the Christian Bible. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Matthew composed this Gospel. Jesus commences his final journey to Jerusalem, ministering through Perea.

Ephesians 6 Chapter of the New Testament

Ephesians 6 is the sixth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to be written by Apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome, but more recently, it is suggested to be written between AD 80 and 100 by another writer using Paul's name and style. This chapter is a part of Paul's exhortation, with the particular section about how Christians should live in their responsibilities as households (5:21–6:9) and in the battle against spiritual forces (6:10–20), with a final benediction to close the epistle (6:21–24).

Romans 7 is the seventh chapter of the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, while he was in Corinth in the mid 50s AD, with the help of an amanuensis (secretary), Tertius, who adds his own greeting in Romans 16:22.

Acts 2 is the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke. This chapter records the events on the day of Pentecost, about 10 days after the ascension of Jesus Christ.

Acts 20 is the twentieth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the Christian New Testament of the Bible. It records the third missionary journey of Paul the Apostle. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke the Evangelist composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

Romans 12 is the twelfth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, while he was in Corinth in the mid 50s AD, with the help of an amanuensis (secretary), Tertius, who adds his own greeting in Romans 16:22.

1 Corinthians 12 is the twelfth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Sosthenes in Ephesus. In this chapter, Paul writes about spiritual gifts and the unity of the members of Christ in one body.

2 Corinthians 13 Chapter of the New Testament

2 Corinthians 13 is the thirteenth and final chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Timothy in Macedonia in 55–56 CE.

Ephesians 1 is the first chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written by Apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome, but more recently, it has been suggested that it was written between AD 80 and 100 by another writer using Paul's name and style. This chapter contains the greeting, followed by a section about "The Blessing of God" and Paul's prayer.

Ephesians 2 Chapter of the New Testament

Ephesians 2 is the second chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written by Apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome, but more recently it has been suggested that it was written between AD 80 and 100 by another writer using Paul's name and style.

Ephesians 4 Chapter of the New Testament

Ephesians 4 is the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written by Apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome, but more recently, it has been suggested that it was written between AD 80 and 100 by another writer using Paul's name and style. This chapter is a part of Paul's exhortation, with the particular section about the mutual interdependence of the Christians as the church and how they should live in the world (4:17–5:20).

Ephesians 5 Chapter of the New Testament

Ephesians 5 is the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to be written by Apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome. More recently, it is suggested to be written between AD 80 and 100 by another writer using Paul's name and style, however this theory is not widely accepted. This chapter is a part of Paul's exhortation, with the particular section about how Christians should live in the world (4:17–5:20) and in their responsibilities as households (5:21–6:9).

Colossians 1 is the first chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written for the churches in Colossae and Laodicea by Apostle Paul, with Timothy as his co-author, while he was in prison in Ephesus, although there are debatable claims that it is the work of a secondary imitator, or that it was written in Rome. This chapter contains the greeting, thanksgiving and prayer, followed by a "Christological Hymn" and the overall thesis of the letter.

Colossians 3 is the third chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written for the churches in Colossae and Laodicea by Apostle Paul, with Timothy as his co-author, while he was in prison in Ephesus, although there are debatable claims that it is the work of a secondary imitator, or that it was written in Rome. In the previous chapter, Paul has reminded the people that they no longer "belong to the world", but they are to live in intimate union with Christ, and this chapter contains his advice how he wants the Colossians to live.

Colossians 4 is the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written for the churches in Colossae and Laodicea by Apostle Paul, with Timothy as his co-author, while he was in prison in Ephesus, although there are debatable claims that it is the work of a secondary imitator, or that it was written in Rome. This chapter contains the final exhortations and greetings.

1 Thessalonians 1 Chapter of the New Testament

1 Thessalonians 1 is the first chapter of the First Epistle to the Thessalonians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, likely written in Corinth in about 50-51 AD for the church in Thessalonica. This chapter contains the prescript and Paul's thanksgiving for the church.

Philippians 1 is the first chapter of the Epistle to the Philippians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle about mid-50s to early 60s AD and addressed to the Christians in Philippi, written either in Rome or Ephesus. This chapter contains the greeting, thanksgiving, prayer and exhortation as an introduction (overture) to the major narratives in the next chapters.

Philippians 3 is the third chapter of the Epistle to the Philippians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, probably in the mid-50s or early 60s CE and addressed to the Christians in Philippi. This chapter contains Paul's comments and exhortations centering on a narrative about his life.

1 Peter 3 is the third chapter of the First Epistle of Peter in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author identifies himself as "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ" and the epistle is traditionally attributed to Peter the Apostle, but some writers argue that it is the work of Peter's followers in Rome between 70 and 100 CE.

References

↑ Murphy-O'Connor 2007, p. 1191–1192.
1 2 3 Murphy-O'Connor 2007, p. 1195.
↑ Colossians 2:1–3 : NKJV
↑ Colossians 2:1 : RGT
↑ Bengel, J. A. (1742), Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament: Colossians 2, accessed 15 May 2021
↑ Colossians 2:6–7 NKJV
↑ Exell, Joseph S.; Spence-Jones, Henry Donald Maurice (Editors). On "Joshua 20". In: The Pulpit Commentary . 23 volumes. First publication: 1890. Accessed 24 April 2019.
↑ Colossians 2:8 NKJV
↑ Note [a] on Colossians 2:8 in NKJV
↑ Colossians 2:9 NKJV
↑ Note [a] on Colossians 2:9 in NKJV
↑ Colossians 2:11 NKJV
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: Colossians 2:11
↑ Misn. Nedarim, c. 3. sect. 11. Quote: "Great is circumcision, for notwithstanding all the commands which Abraham our father did, he was not called perfect until he was circumcised; as it is written, (Genesis 17:1); 'walk before me, and be thou perfect.'"

Bibliography

Murphy-O'Connor, Jerome (2007). "70. Colossians". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 1191–1199. ISBN 978-0199277186 . Retrieved February 6, 2019.

External links

Colossians 2 King James Bible - Wikisource
English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate
Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
Multiple bible versions at Bible Gateway (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.)

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[FOOTNOTEMurphy-O'Connor20071191–1192-1] Murphy-O'Connor 2007, p. 1191–1192.

[FOOTNOTEMurphy-O'Connor20071195-2] 1 2 3 Murphy-O'Connor 2007, p. 1195.

[3] Colossians 2:1–3 : NKJV

[4] Colossians 2:1 : RGT

[5] Bengel, J. A. (1742), Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament: Colossians 2, accessed 15 May 2021

[6] Colossians 2:6–7 NKJV

[pulpit-7] Exell, Joseph S.; Spence-Jones, Henry Donald Maurice (Editors). On "Joshua 20". In: The Pulpit Commentary . 23 volumes. First publication: 1890. Accessed 24 April 2019.

[8] Colossians 2:8 NKJV

[9] Note [a] on Colossians 2:8 in NKJV

[10] Colossians 2:9 NKJV

[11] Note [a] on Colossians 2:9 in NKJV

[12] Colossians 2:11 NKJV

[gill_Col2_11-13] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: Colossians 2:11

[14] Misn. Nedarim, c. 3. sect. 11. Quote: "Great is circumcision, for notwithstanding all the commands which Abraham our father did, he was not called perfect until he was circumcised; as it is written, (Genesis 17:1); 'walk before me, and be thou perfect.'"

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]