Colossians 2:1-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:6

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord ,.... Receiving Christ is believing in him: faith is the eye of the soul, that sees the beauty, glory, fulness, and suitableness of Christ; the foot that goes to him, and the hand that takes hold on him, and the arm that receives and embraces him; so that this is not a receiving him into the head by notion, but into the heart by faith; and not in part only, but in whole: faith receives a whole Christ, his person as God and man; him in all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:7

Rooted and built up in him ,.... By these metaphors, the apostle expresses the safe and happy state of these believers; and which he makes use of as arguments, to engage them to walk on in Christ, and as pointing out the manner in which they should. Believers are sometimes compared to trees, and are trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord; and their root is Christ, from whence as such they spring, and by whom they are filled with the fruits of righteousness; in him they are to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:1

What great conflict - The word αγων , which we here render conflict, is to be understood as implying earnest care and solicitude, accompanied, undoubtedly, with the most fervent application to the throne of grace in their behalf. The αγωνιζομενος of the preceding verse gave the apostle occasion to use the word αγων here. He agonized with God, and his agony was for them. Laodicea - A city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Caria, Phrygia, and Lydia. It was originally called Diospolis,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:2

That their hearts might be comforted - That they might have continual happiness in God, having constant affiance in him. Being knit together in love - The word συμβιβασθεντων , or συμβιβασθεντες , which is the true reading, but both of equal import here, signifies being united, as the beams or the timbers of a building, by mortices and pins. The visible Church of Christ cannot be in union with God unless it have unity in itself, and without love this unity is impossible. Unto all... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:3

In whom are hid - Or rather in which; referring to the mystery mentioned above. In this glorious scheme of Christianity all the treasures - the abundance and excellency, of wisdom and knowledge are contained. No scheme of salvation, or Divine knowledge, ever equalled in its depth and excellency the Gospel plan. A scheme which the wisdom of God alone could devise, and which his power and infinite mercy alone could accomplish. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:4

Lest any man should beguile you - The word παραλογιζηται means to deceive by sophistry or subtle reasoning, in which all the conclusions appear to be fairly drawn from the premises, but the premises are either assumed without evidence, or false in themselves; but this not being easily discovered, the unthinking or unwary are carried away by the conclusions which are drawn from these premises. And this result is clearly intimated by the term πιθανολογια , enticing words, plausible... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:5

For though I be absent in the flesh - It is hardly possible that such words as these in this verse could have been used to perfect strangers; they argue a considerable knowledge of the people, and a knowledge founded on personal acquaintance. The original is exceedingly soft and musical: - Ει γαρ και τη σαρκι απειμι,<-144 Αλλα τῳ πνευματι συν ὑμιν ειμι,<-144 Χαιρων και βλεπων ὑμων την ταξιν, κ.τ.λ. The whole verse shows that this Church was sound in doctrine, and strict... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:6

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus - Many persons lay a certain stress on the words as and so, and make various fine heads of discourses from them; viz. As ye received Christ in a spirit of humility, so walk in him; as ye received him in a spirit of faith, so walk in him, etc., etc. This may be all proper in itself; but nothing of the kind was intended by the apostle. His meaning is simply this: Seeing ye have embraced the doctrine of Christ, continue to hold it fast, and not permit... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:7

Rooted and built up in him - It is not usual with the apostle to employ this double metaphor, taken partly from the growth of a tree and the increase of a building. They are to be rooted; as the good seed had been already sown, it is to take root, and the roots are to spread far, wide, and deep. They are to be grounded; as the foundation has already been laid, they are to build thereon. In the one case, they are to bear much fruit; in the other, they are to grow up to be a habitation of God... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:1

Verse 1 1.I would have you know. He declares his affection towards them, that he may have more credit and authority; for we readily believe those whom we know to be desirous of our welfare. It is also an evidence of no ordinary affection, that he was concerned about them in the midst of death, that is, when he was in danger of his life; and that he may express the more emphatically the intensity of his affection and concern, he calls it a conflict. I do not find fault with the rendering of... read more

Group of Brands