8See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 9For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13When 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, 14having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
Interesting Words
take captive
(συλαγωγέω – Greek) – sulagógeó ► verb: to seduce, lead away as booty, carry away as spoil – used only once in NT, here.
empty
(κενός – Greek) – kenos ► adj: vain, empty-handed, empty, foolish, futile things – Luke 1:53; Acts 4:25; 1Cor 15:14;
deception
(ἀπάτη – Greek) – apaté ► noun: deceitful, deceiving, delusion, cheat, motivated by guile and treachery – Matt 13:22, Eph 4:22; Heb 3:13; 2Peter 2:13;
elemtary principles
(στοιχεῖον – Greek) – stoicheion ► noun: element, rudimentary principle – Gal 4:9; Col 2:20-21; Heb 5:12;
fullness
(πλήρωμα – Greek) – pléróma ► noun: fullness, fulfilling, full, complete – Eph 3:19, 4:13; Col 1:19;
complete
(πληρόω – Greek) – pléroó ► verb – accomplish, complete, fulfill – John 17:12; Rom 15:14; Eph 1:23; 3:19; 5:18;
certificate of debt
(χειρόγραφον – Greek) – cheirographon ► noun: hand-written (“chirograph”), i.e. a manuscript (specially, a legal document, manuscript, record of debts – used only once in NT, here.
decrees
(δόγμα – Greek) – dogma ► noun: law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical), decrees, ordinances – Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4-5; Eph 2:15;
Cross References
▪︎ 1Peter 3:21;
▪︎ Gal 2:20;
▪︎ Eph 6:11, 12;
▪︎ Empty words – Isa 36:4-5, 6;
Discussion Questions
1. Why was Paul so eager to give a warning right up front (Col 2:8)?
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2. What is Christ’s goal for each of us (Col3:10)?
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3. How does He plan to accomplish that goal?
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4. What is the role of baptism?
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5. What are the details of the gospel as described in Col 2:13, 14?
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6. What were the full effects of this transaction per Col 2:15?
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7. Why is doctrine important?
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