6Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Interesting Words
encouraged
(παρακαλέω – Greek) – parakaleó ► verb: aorist passive, from para (close beside) and kaleó (to call), invite, invoke, beseech, intreat, pray – 2Cor 1:4-5, 5:20; Eph 4:1;
knit
(συμβιβάζω – Greek) – sumbibazó ► verb: aorist passive, from sun (with) and bibazo (by reduplication), to drive together, i.e. unite, to infer, show, teach – Eph 4:16; Col 2:19;
wealth
(πλοῦτος – Greek) – ploutos ► noun: from the base of pletho; full riches, wealth, i.e. money, possessions, or abundance, valuable bestowment – Mark 4:19; Rom 9:22-23, 11:33; Eph 1:18;
full assurance
(πληροφορίας – Greek) – plērophorias ► noun: from plerophoreo (entire confidence), full assurance, conviction, confidence – 1Thes 1:5; Heb 6:11, 10:22;
mystery
(μυστηρίου – Greek) – mustérion ► noun – a secret or “mystery”, from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth), through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites – Matt 13:10-11; Rom 16:25; 1Cor 2:7-8; Eph 1:9;
treasures
(θησαυροὶ – Greek) – thēsauroi ► noun: from tithemi (a deposit), a store-house for precious things, a treasure, a store, wealth – Matt 6:19-20, 21; 2Cor 4:7;
received
(παραλαμβάνω – Greek) – paralambanó ► verb : from pará (close-alongside) and lambánō (aggressively take), receive from, admit, acknowledge showing strong personal initiative, (apparently not used of money) – John 14:2-3; Matt 1:20, 24; 2:13, 20; Col 4:17; Gal 1:12; 1Thes 2:13;
Cross References
▪︎ John 10:10;
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Discussion Questions
1. Both “encouraged” and “knit” are aorist (point-in-time past) and passive… What are the implications of these two facts?
▪︎ It is our hearts that are encouraged and knit together… our’s and Christ’s and the whole body of belivers.
▪︎ They did not accomplish this on their own (assuming it is passive and not middle voice).
▪︎ If it is passive God did it, in them, through the Spirit. However, aorist implies it happened at a point in time probably involving the Spirit’s work at or around the time of salvation.
▪︎ In either case, it may involve more than one person, implying it is knitting us into the body of Christ
▪︎ Paul does make this a point of prayer for the churches in their immediate area, leading toward the idea that this knitting together is something being formed in and by their mutual love (once at salvation and enhanced over time).
2. What is included in the wealth described in Col 2:2?
▪︎ Full assurance, attained over time thru edification and their growth in the faith, leading to full knowledge of God.
▪︎ Our inheritance is Christ Himself. When we get to heaven, we will find He is our all in all… Freedom to walk with Him.
▪︎ It includes true, intimate fellowship with God.
▪︎ It also includes the mutual love and fellowship with others in the body of Christ.
▪︎ Real wealth is the joy of knowing the mystery of God, hidden in Christ Himself, exposed to us in and through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
3. What does “full assurance of understanding” in Col 2:2 mean?
▪︎ God’s sovereign hand and His indwelling Spirit gives proof to our souls and rest to our minds that we are His children.
▪︎ Full assurance then is not blind faith but faith that is backed up over time as God provides the proof to each of us individually.
4. What are the implications of having a “true knowledge of the mystery of Christ”?
▪︎ We will not be able to explain the mechanics behind everything that happens around us, but we do know the person behind those events, Christ.
▪︎ We can rest in His character to do what is right in each and every situation.
▪︎ Even if we cannot see every aspect or if the actual process is hidden to us in real time.
▪︎ It is arrogance for us to ask God to show His work.
5. How would you describe the treasure you have in Christ?
▪︎ Christ Himself is our treasure.
▪︎ He is beyond our wildest dreams (1Cor2:9)
▪︎ His ways surpass our highest expectations (Rom 11:33-34, 35-36)
▪︎ Multitudes praise Him – Rev 7:9, 10;
▪︎ Angels proclaim His glory – Rev 7:11, 12;
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6. Based on the definition above, what does it mean to “receive” Christ”?
▪︎ Based on the limited information we have at the time, and on the work God has done in our hearts to that point, we choose Him.
▪︎ We sieze the earliest opportunity to take a hold of Him and hold fast.
▪︎ We acknowledge His sovereign work to draw us to Himself, and seize Him with all of the strength we (me in my heart, with His indwelling Spirit) can muster to determine, volitionally… we will follow Him no matter what may come.
▪︎ This receipt, backed up by the earnest-money assurance from the indwelling Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13), give us true humility and a contrite spirit, honoring God for His gracious work in us.
7. Per your answer in #6 above and Col 2:6-7, how are we to walk in Christ?
▪︎ We are saved by grace alone; so too, we are sanctified by grace alone.
▪︎ God’s sovereign hand accomplishes it all; we have nothing to boast about.
▪︎ Thus at the end, we cast every accalade and every crown at the feet of the Lamb, Christ Jesus.
▪︎ Every proud thought and every arrogant expression is to be blocked and turned to praise, to honor Him who accomplished it all on our behalf.