1For I want you to know how greatly I am struggling2:1 2Tm 4:7 for you, for those in Laodicea,2:1 Col 4:13–16; Rv 1:11; 3:14 and for all who have not seen me in person.
2I want their hearts to be encouraged2:2 Lk 16:25; Col 4:8 and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery2:2 Php 3:8 — Christ.2:2 Other mss read mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ; other ms variations exist on this v.2:2 Col 1:27
Christ versus the Colossian Heresy
4I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable.
8Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition,2:8 Mk 7:3 based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.2:8 1Tm 6:20
9For the entire fullness2:9 Php 2:6; Col 1:19 of God’s nature dwells bodily2:9 Or nature lives in a human body in Christ,
10and you have been filled by him, who is the head2:10 1Co 11:3; Eph 1:22; 4:15; 5:23 over every ruler and authority.
11You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh,2:11 Col 1:22; 3:9 in the circumcision of Christ,2:11 Mt 1:17; Eph 5:2
12when you were buried with him2:12 Rm 6:4 in baptism, in which you were also raised with him2:12 Eph 2:6; Col 3:1 through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.2:12 Mt 17:9; Jn 5:25; 20:9; 21:14; Ac 2:24
13And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses.
16Therefore, don’t let anyone judge2:16 Lk 6:37 you in regard to food and drink2:16 Jn 6:55; Rm 14:3,17; 1Co 8:4; Heb 9:10 or in the matter of a festival or a new moon2:16 Ps 81:3 or a Sabbath day.2:16 Or or sabbaths
17These are a shadow2:17 Heb 8:5; 10:1 of what was to come;2:17 Rm 8:38 the substance is2:17 Or substance belongs to Christ.2:17 Gl 3:24; 5:2
20If you died with Christ2:20 Rm 6:8; 1Pt 2:24 to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations:
21“Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”?
22All these regulations refer to what is destined to perish by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines.
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