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COLOSSIANS
CHAPTER 2
OBSERVATION STAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The purpose of the observation stage is to maintain focus on the text at hand within the normative rules of language, context and by the book of Colossians. This will serve to avoid going on unnecessary tangents elsewhere; and more importantly, it will provide the framework for a proper and objective comparison with passages located elsewhere in Scripture.
Note that
similar or the same subject matter describing an historic event which
matter is essentially the same as the subject matter in another passage
in Scripture does not
necessarily prove that the passages in view portray the
same event.
Remember that something elsewhere may be true, but in the text at hand it may not be in view.
Note: references to Manuscript Evidence are largely quotations from New Testament Text and Translation Commentary, by Phillip W. Comfort, Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, IL, 2008.
****** EXCERPT FROM COLOSSIANS CHAPTER ONE ******
OR
[(Col 1:24-28) Manuscript Evidence]:
[(Col
1:27a) Manuscript
Evidence For Col 1:27a]:
[(Col
1:27b) Manuscript
Evidence For Col 1:27b]:
[(Col
1:28a) Manuscript
Evidence For Col 1:28a]:
[(Col
1:28b) Manuscript
Evidence For Col 1:28b]:
[(Col 1:24-29) Commentary On Col 1:24-29]:
[Expositor's Commentary On Col 1:24]:
[Bible Knowledge Commentary on Phil 2:17]:
[Expositor's
Bible Commentary on
Phil 2:17]:
[Compare
2 Tim 1:8-9; 2:8-10]:
[Bible Knowledge Commentary on 2 Tim 2:8-10]:
[Expositor's Bible Commentary on 2 Tim 2:8-9]:
PAUL STATED IN COL 1:24 THAT HE REJOICES IN HIS SUFFERINGS FOR THE SAKE OF THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS AND FOR ALL BELIEVERS. FOR IN HIS [PAUL'S] FLESH HE DOES HIS SHARE ON BEHALF OF HIS [CHRIST'S] BODY, WHICH IS THE CHURCH, IN FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING IN CHRIST'S AFFLICATIONS IN THE SENSE OF PAUL'S PERSONAL SUFFERINGS ON BEHALF OF FELLOW BELIEVERS BY PARTICIPATING IN CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS AS THE WORLD PERSECUTES THE CHURCH - THE BODY OF CHRIST THROUGHOUT THIS AGE. FOR IT IS EXPLAINED IN COL 1:25, IT IS THE CHURCH OF WHICH HE BECAME A MINISTER ACCORDING TO THE STEWARDSHIP / THE RESPONSIBILITY / THE COMMISSION ASSIGNED TO HIM FROM AND BY GOD WHICH WAS GIVEN TO HIM FOR THE SAKE OF THE BELIEVERS IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD
[Expositor's Bible Commentary on Col 1:25]:
[Commentary On Col 1:24-29 cont]:
PAUL STATED IN COL 1:24 THAT HE REJOICES IN HIS SUFFERINGS FOR THE SAKE OF THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS AND FOR ALL BELIEVERS. FOR IN HIS [PAUL'S] FLESH HE DOES HIS SHARE ON BEHALF OF HIS [CHRIST'S] BODY, WHICH IS THE CHURCH, IN FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING IN CHRIST'S AFFLICTIONS IN THE SENSE OF PAUL'S PERSONAL SUFFERINGS ON BEHALF OF FELLOW BELIEVERS BY PARTICIPATING IN CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS AS THE WORLD PERSECUTES THE CHURCH - THE BODY OF CHRIST THROUGHOUT THIS AGE. FOR IT IS EXPLAINED IN COL 1:25, IT IS THE CHURCH OF WHICH HE BECAME A MINISTER ACCORDING TO THE STEWARDSHIP / THE RESPONSIBILITY / THE COMMISSION ASSIGNED TO HIM FROM AND BY GOD WHICH WAS GIVEN TO HIM FOR THE SAKE OF THE BELIEVERS IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD
THEN IN COL 1:26, PAUL DECLARED THAT THE FULFILLMENT OF THE WORD OF GOD WAS THE MYSTERY THAT HAS BEEN HIDDEN FROM THE PAST AGES AND GENERATIONS, BUT HAS NOW BEEN MANIFESTED TO HIS [GOD'S] SAINTS IN THIS AGE - THE CHURCH
[Expositor's Commentary On Col 1:26]:
[Compare
Excerpts From Ephesians Chapter 3 on the mystery of the Church
]:
AND THEN IN COL 1:27, THIS HERETOFORE UNKNOWN BODY OF BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST - GENTILE BELIEVERS, GOD NOW WILLED TO BE KNOWN WHAT IS THE GLORY OF THIS MYSTERY AMONG THE GENTILE BELIEVERS, IN THE SENSE THAT THE GENTILES WILL SHARE IN THE GLORY OF GOD WITH THE JEWS WHO ARE FELLOW BELIEVERS IN CHRIST. AND THAT GLORY IS CHRIST IN THEM. SO THE MYSTERY - LONG HIDDEN THROUGHOUT THE AGES BUT NOW REVEALED IS NOT THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL TO THE GENTILES AND ALL THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD; FOR THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED TO ALL MANKIND SINCE THE BEGINNING; BUT THE MYSTERY IS THE INDWELLING OF JESUS CHRIST IN HIS PEOPLE: THOSE WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO BELIEVE IN HIM, WHETHER JEW OR GENTILE. FOR IT IS THE CHRIST IN YOU [THE BELIEVER] WHO IS THE HOPE OF GLORY!
IN COL 1:28-29, PAUL WROTE, "WE PROCLAIM CHRIST, ADMONISHING EVERY MAN AND TEACHING EVERY MAN WITH ALL WISDOM, SO THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERY MAN COMPLETE IN CHRIST. FOR THIS PURPOSE ALSO [PAUL LABORS], STRIVING ACCORDING TO HIS [CHRIST'S] POWER, WHICH MIGHTLY WORKS WITHIN [HIM].
1) [(Col 2:1)
Manuscript Evidence For Col 2:1]:
2) [(Col 2:1) Commentary On Col 2:1]:
AUTHOR AND APOSTLE PAUL ASKED, "FOR I WANT TO KNOW HOW GREAT A STRUGGLE I HAVE ON YOUR [COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS'] BEHALF AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE AT LAODICEA AND FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE NOT PERSONALLY SEEN MY FACE, IMPLYING THAT HE HAD NOT VISITED THESE CHURCHES. NEVERTHELESS, HIS STRUGGLE WAS A GREAT ONE ON THEIR BEHALF, LARGELY THROUGH PRAYER BATTLING THE ERRORISTS WHO OPPOSED THE DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH
1) [(Col 2:2) Manuscript Evidence For Col 2:2]:
2) [(Col 2:1-3) Commentary On Col 2:1-3]:1) [(Col 2:4-5) Commentary On Col 2:4-5]:
1) [(Col 2:7a)
Manuscript Evidence
For Col 2:7a]:
2) [(Col 2:7b)
Manuscript Evidence
For Col 2:7b]:
IN
COL 2:6-7, PAUL CONCLUDES, SO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS TO CONTINUE AS IT
COMMENCED: JUST AS YOU RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS BY A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE
IN CHRIST ALONE, YOU ARE TO CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IN HIM; AND MORE: YOU
ARE TO STUDY GOD'S WORD ESPECIALLY THE WRITINGS OF PAUL AND ALL THE
WRITERS OF SCRIPTURE AND ACT ACCORDINGLY - AS COMMANDED
3 cont) [(Col 2:6-7) Commentary On Col 2:6-7 to conclude The Argument Begun In Col 1:15, Especially Col 1:15-29 (cont.)]:
IN
COL 2:6-7, PAUL CONCLUDES, SO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS TO CONTINUE AS IT
COMMENCED: JUST AS YOU RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS BY A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE
IN CHRIST ALONE, YOU ARE TO CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IN HIM; AND MORE: YOU
ARE TO STUDY GOD'S WORD ESPECIALLY THE WRITINGS OF PAUL AND ALL THE
WRITERS OF SCRIPTURE AND ACT ACCORDINGLY - AS COMMANDED, (cont.)
1) [(Col 2:8) Commentary On Col 2:8]:
IN VIEW OF THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE COLOSSIAN BELIEVERS AND THE EFFORTS OF THE ERRORISTS TO DISRUPT THE BELIEVERS' STEADFASTNESS IN THE FAITH; PAUL WARNS THEM TO SEE TO IT THAT NO ONE TAKES THEM CAPTIVE THROUGH UNGODLY PHILOSOPHY AND EMPTY / UNWARRANTED DECEPTION WHICH ARE ACCORDING TO THE TRADITIONS OF MEN IN THE SENSE OF UNGODLY AND ACCORDING TO THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF THE WORLD I.E., AS OPPOSED TO ACCORDING TO JESUS CHRIST AND HIM ALONE
2) [(Col 2:9) Commentary On Col 2:9]:
FOR IN CHRIST DWELLS ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD / DEITY BODILY - WITHIN HIS PERFECT HUMANITY. THIS STATEMENT CANNOT BE LIMITED TO JESUS CHRIST HAVING A FINITE IMAGE OF GOD WITHIN HIM, OR HIS BEING AN ANGELIC BEING, OR HIS BEING A GOD, AS SOME CONTEND. FOR TO HAVE ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD IS TO HAVE ALL OF HIS ESSENCE - TO BE GOD AND NOTHING LESS!
3) [(Col 2:10) Manuscript Evidence For Col 2:10]:
4) [(Col 2:10) Commentary On Col 2:10]:
AFTER DECLARING IN COL 2:9, FOR
IN CHRIST DWELLS ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD / DEITY BODILY -
WITHIN HIS PERFECT HUMANITY. THIS STATEMENT CANNOT BE LIMITED TO JESUS
CHRIST HAVING A FINITE IMAGE OF GOD WITHIN HIM, OR HIS BEING AN ANGELIC
BEING OR HIS BEING A GOD AS SOME CONTEND. FOR TO HAVE ALL THE FULLNESS
OF GOD IS TO HAVE ALL OF HIS ESSENCE - TO BE GOD AND NOTHING LESS! IN
COL 2:10, PAUL WRITES THAT BELIEVERS HAVE BEEN MADE COMPLETE IN CHRIST
WHO IS THE HEAD OVER ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY - AND ONLY GOD CAN BE THAT!
5) [(Col 2:11) Manuscript Evidence For Col 2:11]:
6) [(Col 2:12)
Manuscript Evidence
For Col 2:12]:
7) [(Col 2:11-12) Commentary On Col 2:11-12]:
F) [(Col 2:13-14)]:1)
[(Col 2:13) Manuscript Evidence
For Col 2:13]:
2) [(Col 2:13-14) Commentary On Col 2:13-14]:
IN
COL 2:13, PAUL MOVES BACK IN TIME TO JUST BEFORE THE COLOSSIANS BECAME
BELIEVERS: WHEN THEY WERE DEAD IN THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS AND THE
UNCIRCUMCISION OF THEIR FLESH - WHEN THEIR SIN NATURES HAD CONTROL OVER
THEIR LIVES. WHEREUPON HE DECLARED THAT AT THAT MOMENT CHRIST MADE THEM
ALIVE TOGETHER WITH HIM AS A RESULT OF HAVING FORGIVEN THEM OF ALL OF THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS. AND COL 2:14 GOES ON TO EXPLAIN HOW JESUS CHRIST ACCOMPLISHED THIS: HE
WIPED OUT THE HANDWRITING OF REQUIREMENS THAT WAS AGAINST US - ALL
MANKIND BECAUSE MAN CANNOT BE RIGHTEOUS AND KEEP THEM, HENCE THE LAW
WAS CONTRARY TO US - OUR INTRINSIC SIN NATURES - AND HE HAS TAKEN IT
OUT OF THE WAY
HAVING NAILED IT TO THE CROSS IN THE SENSE OF SATISIFYING THE
PUNISHMENT
DUE FOR THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND, UNLIMITED ATONEMENT FOR ALL MANKIND SO THAT GOD IS THUS FREE TO ACCOUNT ALL WHO TRUST IN CHRIST FOR FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
b)
Expositor's On Col 2:13-14]:
c) [Bible Knowledge Commentary On Col 2:13-14]:
1) [(Col 2:15-17) Commentary on Col 2:15-17]:
2) [Col 2:15-17) Bible Knowledge Commentary]:
3) [(Col 2:15-17) Expositor's
Commentary]:
1)
[(Col 2:18) Manuscript Evidence
For Col 2:18]:
2)
[(Col 2:19) Manuscript Evidence
For Col 2:19]:
3)
[(Col 2:20) Manuscript Evidence
For Col 2:20]:
4)
[(Col 2:23) Manuscript Evidence
For Col 2:23]:
5) [(Col 2:18-23) Commentary On Col 2:18-23]:
WITH
THE CONTEXT OF COL 2:11-14 IN MIND COL 2:15 GOES ON TO EXPLAIN THAT THE
PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS WHICH USURPED THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD WERE DISARMED
AS A RESULT OF CHRIST'S SACRIFICE FOR ALL OF MANKIND'S SINS IN THE
SENSE THAT GOD WOULD NO LONGER HOLD MEN WHO TRUSTED IN CHRIST
ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR SINS, FREEING MAN FROM THE ABSOLUTE CONTROL OF
THEIR SIN NATURES SO THAT THEY COULD CHOOSE TO LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY INSTEAD
OF SINFULLY. HE MADE A PUBLIC SPECTACLE OF THEM, HAVING TRIUMPHED OVER
THEM THROUGH THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS. PAUL THEN CONCLUDED
IN COL 2:16-17
TO BELIEVERS, "SO LET NO ONE JUDGE YOU IN FOOD OR IN DRINK, OR
REGARDING A FESTIVAL OR A NEW MOON OR SABBATHS, WHICH ARE A SHADOW OF
THINGS TO COME - WHICH OBSERVANCE WAS NOT EFFECTUAL FOR SALVATION UNTO ETERNAL LIFE. BUT
THE REAL SUBSTANCE OF THEM IS OF CHRIST RELATIVE TO THE RECEPTION OF
ETERNAL LIFE AND ETERNAL REWARDS.
a) [Col 2:18-23) Expositor's Commentary On Col 2:18-23]:
b) [Col 2:18-23) BKC Commentary On
Col 2:18-23]: