~warnings Against The Philosophies Of Men ~ Series

#4 ~Col.2:1-9 ~WARNINGS AGAINST THE PHILOSOPHIES OF MEN ~ 12-15-13

Paul wants the Colossian believers and us as well, to understand the great truths in this chapter, because in doing so, we'll not be led astray by the so called "up to date bible theories & teaching", fancy words and man made theories will never budge grounded bible believers.

~ There were five errors that endangered the Colossian church which Paul will deal with in this chapter. They were:

1. Enticing words--verses 4--7

2. Philosophy--verses 8--13

3. Legality--verses 14--17

4. Mysticism--verses 18--19

5. As-cet-i-cism --verses 20--23

As-cet-i-cism; ---means, that through rigorous self-denial of worldly pleasures, it is possible to achieve a high spiritual and intellectual state of mind.

~The Greek word for all that is "baloney".

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* Let's read verses 1-7, and then make a few comments on the verses.

1For I would that ye 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;

2That 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;

3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

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

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1For I would [wish] that ye knew what great conflict [contention] I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

~conflict -- Implies a battle against spiritual foes, as well as human adversaries.

~ Laodicea, was about 11 miles west of Colosse, and another town nearby was Hierapolis, evidently the false teachers were promoting their views in that entire region. Paul felt concern for all the Christians under this false teaching.

~This great conflict was inside Paul (I have for you) -- It wasn't that Paul fought with others about the Colossian Christians. -- Paul described his spiritual warfare and heartfelt care for the Colossians as a great conflict.

Paul had never visited Colosse himself; most of them had never seen his face in the flesh.

We notice here that Paul's authority extended to those he had never met - to those who had never seen his face -- and so it also extends to us.

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2That 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; --

~The meaning of the "heart" here includes everything in the inner man including the mind.

> Prov. 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: --

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~Paul knew that their unity came from both being knit together in love and growing in the understanding and knowledge of God's truth.

~ The true wisdom Paul wanted them to know in Jesus would bring them together, knit them together in love, instead of dividing them the way that false wisdom did.

~When Paul describes the truth of God with words like riches and treasures, he reminds us that God's truth is precious and worthy of diligent seeking.

~ Christ is the Mystery of God, that is, in the wonder of His being.

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* Three mysteries are described in Colossians 1:24 to Col_2:3 :

1st. mystery-- The Church as the Body of Christ, for which Paul suffered and served.

@@@ Col.1:24-26 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: ---- 25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; ---- 26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest [known] to his saints:

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2nd. mystery -- The Indwelling Christ, the hope of glory in each individual believer.

Col.1:27 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:

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3rd. mystery-- The Revealed Jesus, the treasury of all wisdom and knowledge. >Col. 2:2-3 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; 3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.