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“In Him you have been made complete.” Col 2:10 Textual Studies From Paul’s Letter To The Colossians

Basic Outline –  Opening greetings & admonitions 1:1-12  Description of the Christ in Whom every man can be “complete” 1:13 – 2:23  Instructions on how those “complete” in Christ are to live 3:1 – 4:6  Closing personal remarks 4:7-18 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Beware of deception v. 8  Do not be taken captive through philosophy (human wisdom) and empty deception  Such is according to men’s traditions cp. Mt 15:1-6  It is not according to Christ’s gospel Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Christ’s superiority vv  Paul presents 3 more “…in Him” statements to show His superiority over man-made traditions that take men captive Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Christ’s superiority vv Ê “In Him” dwells all fullness of Deity in bodily form v. 9  While in the flesh, He was 100% God  He never stopped being Divine Jn 1:1, 4 14:8-9 Heb 1:3 Jn 2:24-25 Mk 2:1-12 Phil 2:6-8 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Christ’s superiority vv Ë “In Him” man has been made full or complete v. 10 [THEME VERSE]  Perfect tense (past completed action with continuing results)  We can become all that God has destined us to be Phil 1:9-11 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Christ’s superiority vv Ì “In Him” man has circumcised (removal of sin) vv  Those dead in sin can become alive  A “circumcision” without hands (re: the heart Rom 2:28-29 )  Accomplished in baptism Rom 6:3-11 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

“Twin Epistle” Comparison Col 2:13 Eph 2:5 And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, …even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Christ’s superiority vv Ì “In Him” man has circumcised (removal of sin) vv  Man is forgiven all his transgressions  Complete remission Heb 8:12  The Law = a “certificate of debt” that was “contrary (hostile) to us” v. 14 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Some historians tell of a practice where a borrower’s debt certificate was nailed to his house once he had satisfactorily paid the debt in full to his creditor. Though Col 2:14 does not state such re: the Law of Moses, Jesus did satisfy all the Law’s demands at the cross.

Christ is the “end” (goal, termination) of the Law Rom 10:4 Christ came to “…fulfill all righteousness” Mt 3:15 Christ came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it Mt 5:17 Lk 24:27, 44-45

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Christ’s superiority vv Ì “In Him” man has circumcised (removal of sin) vv  The Law (“certificate of debt”) was contrary to Jews  Christ’s death removed the curse that shut Jews up in sin Gal 3:10-13, Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Christ’s superiority vv Ì “In Him” man has circumcised (removal of sin) vv  The Law (“certificate of debt”) was contrary to Gentiles  Christ’s death removed the barrier that shut Gentiles out in sin Eph 2:11-13 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Christ’s superiority vv Ì “In Him” man has circumcised (removal of sin) vv  The Law (“certificate of debt”) was contrary to Jews & Gentiles  Christ’s death removed the dividing wall between them Eph 2:14-18 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Christ’s victory v. 15  In His death, Jesus “…disarmed the rulers & authorities”  Spiritual powers opposing God 1:16 2:10 Eph 1: :10 6:12  Wicked forces that used both the Jews & Romans 1 Cor 2:6-8 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Christ’s victory v. 15  God made a “public display” of them (exposed them)  Christ “triumphed over them” when He removed Satan’s power over death Heb 2: Cor 15:54-57 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  Christ’s victory v. 15  The “eventual victory” occurred when He was raised from the dead 2:12b  Publicly seen by witnesses Acts 1:3  The resurrection preached right from the start Acts 2:22-24  Not “done in a corner” Acts 26:22-26 Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  The meaning of His victory vv  “Therefore…” v. 16a  What Paul is about to say is directly connected to what he just said  The Law had been removed 2:11-15  Christ’s sacrifice powerfully affected each man’s standing before God Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

Paul exhorts Colossae 2:6-23  The meaning of His victory vv  “…Let no man judge you in regard to” (things of the Law) v. 16b  Esp. relevant for Gentile Christians  A perverted Judaizing version of the Law always troubled the early church Acts 15:1-2, 10, 19, Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 3 – Christ In Whom We’re Complete

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