Colossians Chapter 2

Colossians Chapter 2

Introduction

In this chapter, Paul seems to have a contrasting dual focus in his message to the believers in Colossae =>

He wants them to gain "all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Messiah". "God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins."
He wanted no one to "delude you with persuasiveness of speech" using "philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elemental spirits of the world". Paul also warned them to "Let no one... judge you..." and to NOT "subject yourselves to ordinances...".

Colossians 2:1-5 For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Messiah, 3 in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. 4 Now I say this that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Messiah.

In this chapter, Paul seems to be dealing with a problem with the believers in Colossae being "deluded" by "persuasive" people using "philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elemental spirits of the world", rather than after Messiah. Paul seems to be drawing them back to the simple truths from(and about) the Messiah and His Father. Paul also warned them to "Let no one... judge you..." and to NOT "subject yourselves to ordinances...".

Colossians 2:6 As therefore you received Messiah Yeshua the Lord, walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:8-15 Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, from the tradition of men, and from the spiritual powers of the world, and not after Messiah. 9 For in him all the fullness of the Deity{Godhead} dwells bodily, 10 and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Messiah, 12 having been buried with him in immersion{baptism}, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him{Jesus} from the dead. 13 You were also dead through your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our sins, 14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us. He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. 15 Having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Regarding the "principalities and the powers" in verses 10 and 15, no worries about them, when Jesus is in charge of your life. See - https://sidnash.org/docs/PrincipalityPower.html
Regarding "the handwriting in ordinances which was against us" in verse 14, and "nailing it to the cross", there are about 23 English Bibles that support this idea of nailing the law to the cross. But, was it really the Torah Law that was nailed to the cross of our Messiah? There are about 40 English Bibles that give an understanding that is more in context with the previous and following verses. Notice in verse 13 how God forgives all our sins? Notice how there's only a comma that separates verses 13 and 14? Those two verses are one sentence - one thought. Here is how one(NLT) of the 40 translates verses 13-15 =>
- Colossians 2:13-15 => "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross."
So, rather that nailing the Torah law to the cross, God nailed the penalty of your sins to the cross. Why? =>
- Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 Him{Jesus} who knew no sin he{God} made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him{Jesus}.

Colossians 2:16 Let no one therefore judge you in eating or drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, 17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Messiah’s. 18 Let no one rob you of your prize by self-abasement and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth.

See Acts 15 for Gentile responsibilities...
Regarding "the body is Messiah’s", this is a reference to all who worship Christ and His Father:
- Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.
Regarding the "worshiping of the angels", see: Rev22:8-9; Mt4:9-10; Lk4:7-8; Rom1:25;

Colossians 2:20-23 If you died with Messiah from the elemental spirits of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, 21 “Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch” 22 (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, humility, and severity to the body, but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Desiring to live by every word that comes from the mouth of Jehovah ( Deut8:3; Matt4:4 )

-Sid Nash: 10/31/2025. Latest version: