Colossians 2:3-23 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 2:1-3

We may observe here the great concern which Paul had for these Colossians and the other churches which he had not any personal knowledge of. The apostle had never been at Colosse, and the church planted there was not of his planting; and yet he had as tender a care of it as if it had been the only people of his charge (Col. 2:1): For I would that you knew what great conflict I have for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh. Observe, 1. Paul's... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 2:4-12

The apostle cautions the Colossians against deceivers (Col. 2:4): And this I say lest any man beguile you with enticing words; and Col. 2:8; Lest any man spoil you. He insists so much upon the perfection of Christ and the gospel revelation, to preserve them from the ensnaring insinuations of those who would corrupt their principles. Note, 1. The way in which Satan spoils souls is by beguiling them. He deceives them, and by this means slays them. He is the old serpent who beguiled Eve through... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 2:13-15

The apostle here represents the privileges we Christians have above the Jews, which are very great. I. Christ's death is our life: And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, Col. 2:13. A state of sin is a state of spiritual death. Those who are in sin are dead in sin. As the death of the body consists in its separation from the soul, so the death of the soul consists in its separation from God and the divine favour. As the death... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 2:16-23

The apostle concludes the chapter with exhortations to proper duty, which he infers from the foregoing discourse. I. Here is a caution to take heed of judaizing teachers, or those who would impose upon Christians the yoke of the ceremonial law: Let no man therefore judge you in meat nor drink, etc., Col. 2:16. Much of the ceremonies of the law of Moses consisted in the distinction of meats and days. It appears by Rom. 14:1-23 that there were those who were for keeping up those distinctions:... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 2:2-7

2:2-7 My struggle is that their hearts may be encouraged, that they may be united together in love, that they may come to all the wealth of the assured ability to take the right decision in any situation, to the knowledge of that truth which only God's own may know, I mean of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge. I say this so that no one may lead you into error by false reasoning with persuasive arguments. For, even if I am absent from you in the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 2:2-7

(iv) The true Church must have the power to resist seductive teaching. It must be such that men cannot beguile it with enticing words. Enticing words translates the Greek word pithanologia ( Greek #4086 ). This was a word of the law-courts; it was the word used for the persuasive power of a lawyer's arguments, which could enable the criminal to escape his just punishment. The true Church should have such a grip of the truth that it is unmoved by seductive arguments. (v) The true Church... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 2:8-23

2:8-23 Beware lest there will be anyone who will carry you off as his spoil, by insisting on the necessity of a so-called philosophy, which is, in fact, an empty delusion, a philosophy which has been handed down by human tradition, and which is concerned with the elements of this world, and not with Christ; for in him there dwells the fullness of the divine nature; and you have found this fullness in him who is the head of every power and authority. In him you have been circumcised with a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:3

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. This may be understood either of the mystery of the Gospel, which contains the rich mines and hidden treasures of all divine truths; so called, because of the richness and intrinsic value and excellency of them; and because of their variety and abundance, being the unsearchable riches of Christ: or of Christ himself; and not so much of his personal wisdom, either as God, being the all-wise God, the wisdom of God, an omniscient Being,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:4

And this I say ,.... That he had such a conflict for them, and had told them of his care and fear on their account, and had signified his great desire that they might arrive to a more large and certain knowledge of the mysteries of grace, and had asserted that all solid spiritual wisdom and knowledge were in Christ; all which he said, to show his affection for them; to observe unto them, that there was no need to seek for wisdom and knowledge elsewhere, since there was such a fulness of it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:5

For though I be absent in the flesh ,.... Or body, as the Ethiopic version reads it, and as it is expressed in 1 Corinthians 5:3 ; here the apostle anticipates an objection which might be made, how he could have such a conflict and concern for them, and express so much affection for them, and know so much of their affairs, in what condition and situation they were, and how liable to be deceived by false teachers, when he was absent from them, and had never been among them. That he had... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 2:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 2:4-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 2:13-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Colossians 2:16-23

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 2:2-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 2:2-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Colossians 2:8-23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:5

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