Colossians 2:4-10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:10

And ye are complete in him ,.... Or "filled up", or "filled full" in him; that is, are perfect in him: saints are in Christ, and all fulness being in him, they are full too, of as much as they stand in need, and are capable of containing: for these words are not an exhortation to perfection, as the Arabic version reads then, be ye complete in him, like those in Genesis 17:1 ; but are an affirmation, asserting not what the saints shall be hereafter, or in heaven, but what they now are; not... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:8

Beware lest any man spoil you - The word συλαγωγων , from συλη , prey, and αγειν , to lead or carry away, signifies to rob, or spoil of their goods, as if by violence or rapine. Their goods were the salvation they had received from Christ; and both the Gentile and Jewish teachers endeavored to deprive them of these, by perverting their minds, and leading them off from the truths of Christianity. Philosophy and vain deceit - Or, the vain or empty deceit of philosophy; such... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:9

For in him dwelleth all the fullness - This is opposed to the vain or empty doctrine of the Gentile and Jewish philosophers: there is a fullness in Christ suited to the empty, destitute state of the human soul, but in the philosophy of the Jews and Gentiles nothing like this was found; nor indeed in the more refined and correct philosophy of the present day. No substitute has ever been found for the grace of the Lord Jesus, and those who have sought for one have disquieted themselves in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:10

And ye are complete in him - Και εστε εν αυτῳ πεπληρωμενοι· And, ye are filled with him. Our word complete quite destroys the connection subsisting in the apostle's ideas. The philosophy of the world was empty, κενη , but there was a πληρωμα , or fullness, in Christ; the Colossians were empty - spoiled and deprived of every good, while following the empty philosophy and groundless traditions of Jewish and Gentile teachers; but since they had received Christ Jesus they were ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:4

Verse 4 4.This I say, that no man may deceive you. As the contrivances of men have (as we shall afterwards see) an appearance of wisdom, the minds of the pious ought to be preoccupied with this persuasion — that the knowledge of Christ is of itself amply sufficient. And, unquestionably, this is the key that can close the door against all base errors. (348) For what is the reason why mankind have involved themselves in so many wicked opinions, in so many idolatries, in so many foolish... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:5

Verse 5 5.For though I am absent in body. Lest any one should object that the admonition was unseasonable, as coming from a place so remote, he says, that his affection towards them made him be present with them in spirit, and judge of what is expedient for them, as though he were present. By praising, also, their present condition, he admonishes them not to fall back from it, or turn aside. Rejoicing, says he, And seeing, that is — “Because I see. ” For and means for, as is customary among... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:10

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

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:5

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