Colossians 2:19

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Colossians 2:16-19

(16-19) To the warning against speculative error succeeds a warning against two practical superstitions. The first is simply the trust in obsolete Jewish ordinances (the mere shadow of Christ) with which we are familiar in the earlier forms of Judaism. But the second presents much strangeness and novelty. It is the “worship of angels” in a “voluntary humility,” inconsistent with the belief in an intimate and direct union with Christ our Head. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Colossians 2:19

(19) Not holding the Head.—In this lay the fatal error. All these speculations and superstitions interfered with the direct hold of the soul on the mediation of Christ, as the Head, from whom alone, as being “the image of the invisible God,” come all spiritual life and growth. Therefore they had a practical and spiritual importance.From which all the body . . .—Comp Ephesians 4:15-16, and see Note there. The agreement is nearly verbal, but the characteristic difference of idea, so often noted,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Colossians 2:1-23

The Abounding Assurance Colossians 2:2 The Apostle has just been speaking of an intense spiritual struggle through which he has passed on behalf of the Churches at Colossae and Laodicea, to most of whose members he was personally unknown. The purpose of his supplication was that they might be comforted, bound together into a compact fellowship, and enriched with sure and all-sufficing spiritual knowledge three blessings vitally connected with each other. Failing of such attainments, they could... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:16-19

Chapter 2 WARNINGS AGAINST TWIN CHIEF ERRORS, BASED UPON PREVIOUS POSITIVE TEACHING Colossians 2:16-19 (R.V.)"Let no man therefore judge you." That "therefore" sends us back to what the Apostle has been saying in the previous verses, in order to find there the ground of these earnest warnings. That ground is the whole of the foregoing exposition of the Christian relation to Christ as far back as Colossians 2:9, but especially the great truths contained in the immediately preceding verses, that... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Colossians 2:1-23

II. COMPLETE IN HIM, IN WHOM ALL THE FULLNESS DWELLS CHAPTER 2 1. The mystery of God (Colossians 2:1-8 ) 2. Complete in Christ (Colossians 2:9-15 ) 3. Exhortations and warnings (Colossians 2:16-23 ) Colossians 2:1-8 In view of the last verses of the preceding chapter we can understand his anxiety and the great conflict he had for the Colossians and for those living in nearby Laodicea, and for as many who had not seen his face in the flesh. He was deeply concerned about them after he heard... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Colossians 2:19

2:19 {19} And not holding the {c} Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of {d} God.(19) The fourth argument, which is of great weight: because they rob Christ of his dignity, who alone is sufficient both to nourish and also to increase his whole body.(c) Christ.(d) With the increasing which comes from God. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:1-23

CHRIST THE SOURCE OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE (vs.1-10) In verse 1 the unselfish faith and love of the apostle shines beautifully. He was as deeply concerned for believers who had not seen him as he was for his own converts. He had "great conflict" which involves prayerful exercise in combating the opposition of Satan's hosts against the truth. He loved the Church because Christ loved it, desiring all saints to be "knit together in love" (v.2). This is vitally connected with "all riches of the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:1-23

THE POLEMIC PART The Apostle spoke (Colossians 1:24 ; Colossians 1:28-29 ) about the suffering entailed by his ministry, and the labor endured to present “every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Of course, he means every Christian, and by “perfect in Christ Jesus,” so far as the present life is concerned, he means, not perfect in the sense of faultless or sinless, but perfectly justified, and sanctified, and perfectly made meet for glory in Him. The word “perfect” is here borrowed from the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Colossians 2:10-19

The Science of Christian Education Col 2:10-19 Men are of different capacities. No two men can contain exactly the same quantity (if that term may be permitted) of Christ: each man has his own portion. This is a fact which is overlooked, and in consequence of its being overlooked we have no end of conflict and soul-distressing controversy. We cannot all contain the same quantity of nature. The earth is enough for some; others seem to be able to take in the whole heaven; whether they are poets... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Colossians 2:16-23

(16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: (17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit... read more