Colossians 2:2-8

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:1-7

A. Exhortations to persevere in the truth 2:1-7Paul exhorted his readers to continue to believe and practice the truth of God’s revelation. He did this to prevent them from accepting the erroneous instruction of the false teachers who were seeking to turn them away from God’s will. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:2-3

The "heart" includes everything in the inner man including the mind (cf. Proverbs 23:7). The Christian’s wealth is his or her thorough understanding of God’s truth. The essence of God’s revelation is Christ (cf. Colossians 1:27). The better a Christian understands God’s true revelation concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ the better he or she will be able to recognize and refute false doctrine."Only a love which penetrates to the heart and wells up from the heart can sustain the sort... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:4-5

Paul’s description of the Colossian church pictures a company of well-disciplined soldiers standing at attention in straight lines. The Greek word stereoma occurs only here in the New Testament and means "stability."It ". . . points out that feature in the faith of the Colossians which specially commended it to the notice and eulogy of the apostle, to wit, its unyielding nature, or the stiffness of its adherence to its one object-Christ." [Note: Eadie, p. 123.] So far the believers were holding... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:6

In particular, Paul encouraged his readers to continue following Christ in harmony with the sound teaching that had resulted in their conversion. [Note: See H. Wayne House, "The Christian Life according to Colossians," Bibliotheca Sacra 151:604 (October-December 1994):440-54.] His point was not that as the Colossians had become Christians by faith in Christ they should continue to walk by faith. This is clear from Paul’s word translated "received." It usually refers to the reception of truth... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:6-7

2. Paul’s exhortation 2:6-7"Verses 6 and 7 occupy a pivotal position in the letter. They serve as the basis of Paul’s interaction with the Colossian heresy (Colossians 2:8-23) having summarized much of what has already been written in the epistle." [Note: O’Brien, Colossians . . ., p. 108. For further discussion of the Colossian heresy, see Barclay, pp. 115-18.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:7

Four characteristics describe the healthy Christian in this verse. First, he or she stands firmly rooted as a tree, "born again." Second, he or she is being built up as a building (cf. 1 Peter 2:2). Third, he or she is becoming increasingly stable in the faith. Fourth, he or she demonstrates the fruit of thankfulness constantly. Four participles in the Greek text describe these characteristics. The first is in the perfect tense indicating the initial reception of new life. The last three are in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:8

"Philosophy"-this is the only occurrence of the word in the New Testament-here does not refer to the study of basic questions concerning God, man, and the meaning of life. It refers to the speculations and ideas of false teachers not rooted in divine revelation. These ideas had come down by merely human tradition."Much depends on our semantics at this point. If by philosophy we mean the search for clarity and understanding regarding the whole of reality, then the Christian must in a sense... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:8-15

B. The true doctrine of Christ 2:8-15Paul revealed what his readers enjoyed in Christ in this pericope to encourage them to remain faithful to the true revelation they had received and believed."The apostle now makes his most direct attack against ’the Colossian heresy.’ The entire passage bristles with exegetical difficulties, and calls for closer attention to its wording and argument than any other part of the Epistle." [Note: Vaughan, p. 197.] "Colossians 2:8 functions as a heading and... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Colossians 2:7

2:7 up (a-4) 'Rooted' is the perfect participle; it speaks of what had been done and continued. 'Built up' is the present, and is continuous. we might say 'being built up.' assured (b-8) Or 'confirmed.' read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Colossians 2:8

2:8 *you* (c-10) 'You' is emphatic; but the verb 'be' is in the future, implying real present danger more than possibility. read more

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