This section continues from chapter 1:24, dealing with Paul's sufferings which "reveal the present reality of grace" as a member of the body of Christ.[2]
Verses 1–3
1For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.[3]
For "conflict", or the Greek word αγωνα (agōna), the Revised Geneva Translation speaks of a "great struggle",[4] and Johann Bengel speaks of "anxiety, eager desire [and] prayers".[5]
Warning against errors (2:6-23)
Paul warns the Colossians not to accept human speculation, regress to the religious perspectives common to fallen humanity, or return to the "domain of darkness" (cf. 1:13), whereas their original commitment is to Jesus the Lord and the truth of Christ.[2]
Verses 6–7
6As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.[6]
"Christ Jesus the Lord": this expression is only found here and in Ephesians 3:11 in the whole Bible.[7]
Verse 8
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.[8]
"Cheat you": lit. "plunder you" or "take you captive".[9]
Verse 9
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;[10]
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,[12]
"In Him you were also circumcised" (KJV: "In whom also ye are circumcised"): This is applied to the non-Jew Christians to counter the objection by the Jews that they were not circumcised,[13] because of the high significance of circumcision in Judaism.[14] Paul counters this objection by stating that they were circumcised in Christ, who is their sanctification.[13]
"With the circumcision made without hands": which is that of the heart, in the spirit.[13] The Ethiopian version reads "by the hand of man", for though men are sometimes exhorted to circumcise themselves, as in Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4, in order to convince them of the corruption of their nature, and the need they stand in of spiritual circumcision; the Lord has graciously promised his people to do it himself for them, (Deuteronomy 30:6); as the human nature of Christ is said to be a tabernacle not made with hands, that, is of men, but of God, being what God has pitched, and not man; and it stands opposed to circumcision in the flesh, which was made with hands, (Ephesians 2:11); and by some instrument, as a sharp knife or stone.[13]
"In putting off the body of the sins of the flesh": the Vulgate Latin, the Alexandrian versions and some others leave out the word "sins"; and the Syriac version omits the word "body".[13] "The flesh" points to the corrupt nature (born of the flesh), which propagates in a carnal way, to be the source of all sin.[13] "The sins" consist of various parts and members, as a body does; being united together, and receiving frequent additions, committed and yielded to by the members of the natural body.[13]
"By the circumcision of Christ": not the one at eight days old, that was performed to fulfill all the righteousness, but the one by his Spirit.[13]
^Exell, Joseph S.; Spence-Jones, Henry Donald Maurice (Editors). On "Joshua 20". In: The Pulpit Commentary. 23 volumes. First publication: 1890. Accessed 24 April 2019.
^Misn. Nedarim, c. 3. sect. 11. Quote: "Great is circumcision, for notwithstanding all the commands which Abraham our father did, he was not called perfect until he was circumcised; as it is written, (Genesis 17:1); 'walk before me, and be thou perfect.'"
