Colossians 2:16-17

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

-Colossians 2:16-17

Since this verse begins with "Therefore", we need to figure out what that means.  I'm assuming that it's referring to the believer's relation to Christ in the last few verses.  Those verses were talking about how we are filled in him, circumcised in him, buried with him, raised with him and made alive together with him.  Because we are so rooted and connected to Christ, "let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath".  I don't think that Paul means to say that these things (food or drink, festival, new moon, or Sabbath) are bad things.  But he's saying that these things shouldn't be a point of judgment.  So, you shouldn't let anyone accuse you of erring because you "sinned" by not obeying the Sabbath.  It can also go the other way.  You shouldn't let anyone accuse you of "sinning" by attending and participating in a particular festival.  I think the judgment can go either way, judging you for adhering to something or not adhering to something.  Regardless, you shouldn't let that happen.  Now, I realize that the way I put it was wrong too.  I don't think you can keep it from happening and that's not what Paul means.  People are going to judge you or they're not going to judge you.  Instead, I think Paul means that you shouldn't take those kinds of accusations seriously.  Or rather, you shouldn't think that their judgement of you is correct when they judge you regarding these things (food and drink, festival, new moon, or Sabbath).  Why?  Well, Paul explains in verse 17.

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. (NLT)

Such things are only a shadow of what is to come and they have only symbolic value; but the substance [the reality of what is foreshadowed] belongs to Christ. (AMP)

We shouldn't let others judge us with regards to these things because they are just a shadow and the real substance to them belongs to Christ.  I think that this means that people are judging you on the surface level with regards to these things.  They are judging you because of the Sabbath or a new moon, but not because of the heart issue of Christ.  Sure, these things can be good and can point us to Christ (I assume).  In NLT we see it say "these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come".  First of all, they're just rules.  Secondly, it's a shadow of the reality.  I guess they're meant to point us towards Christ, but they themselves are just shadows and not the reality (Christ).  AMP tells us "they only have symbolic value".  This is why I don't think that they're necessarily bad.  They do have value, and it's symbolic.  But that also means that they're not the end all be all.  Most importantly, "the substance belongs to Christ".  You are in Christ, rooted in him and walking in him, and that is what matters.  Perhaps a new moon or a Sabbath is good and helpful because it does have symbolic value, or perhaps it is not helpful.  Most importantly is that the substance belongs to Christ.

Things like the Sabbath can be a touchy subject.  I know some people make it a point not to do any work on the Sabbath and many others are less strict.  I'm not sure, but maybe this is even like people attending church every Sunday or not.  Some may be more strict or some may be less strict about this.  This is probably the reason why I'm not quick to judge someone who doesn't go to Church every week, or someone who does work on the Sabbath.  To be fair, these things may be something of a concern, but not enough to judge.  Instead, perhaps something to encourage or talk about to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  I think another one may be pork or certain diets.  I've heard some speak strongly against eating Pork or some strongly promoting the Daniel Diet.  Sure, you can or you don't have to, it's not a big deal I guess.  More importantly, the substance belongs to Christ.  It's all about Christ.  Be rooted in him and walk in him.

Colossians 2:15

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

-Colossians 2:15

In this way, he disarmed[d] the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

-Colossians 2:15 (NLT)

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through the cross.

-Colossians 2:15 (AMP)

I find it very interesting that not only does it say "He disarmed the rulers and authorities", but it also says "and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him".  They have been disarmed, but they have also been put to open shame.  How are they shamed?  "By victory over them on the cross" (NLT).  AMP even goes on to say "He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession]".  That's quite a statement to make.  So they were defeated and are shamed by their defeat (and for all to see).  I guess that means that for those who have been made alive with Christ do not need to be ashamed.  We are alive with him who has triumphed over them.  Walk in him.

Colossians 2:13-14

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

-Colossians 2:13-14

To his readers, Paul reminds them of how God made them alive together with Jesus.  To be made alive means that they were previously dead, which is why Paul says, "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh".  What's interesting is that what Paul says seems to mean that God making them alive with Christ is very much connected to forgiving all their trespasses.  Perhaps to be made alive with Christ means (or means in part) having your trespasses forgiven.  I guess this goes along with what Paul says in Ephesians 2:1 (NLT), "Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins".  Your deadness is because of or due to your sins.  Therefore, to be forgiven of those sins would make you alive, would it not?  Paul tells us more by explaining how this happened.  The forgiveness of trespasses happens "by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands".  This means that the deadness caused by sin is because of a legal debt.  As sinners, a payment is required because of our sin.  However, the debt is removed by the cross, "This he set aside, nailing it to the cross".  This is a great way to end this section that Paul is talking about.  We are to walk in him and not be taken captive by "philosophy and empty deceit".  These things are not of Christ, but Paul goes on to tell his readers about how they are very much connected to Christ.  We have been filled in him.  In him we were circumcised, being buried with him and being raised with him.  How did this all happen or start?  The forgiveness of all our trespasses by the cancellation of our sin debt, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2:12-13

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

-Colossians 2:12-13

Paul goes on to tell his readers about how they were "buried with him(Christ) in baptism".  Not only were they buried with him, but they "were also raised with him".  There's a lot that Paul gets to in this passage about the believer and their salvation and how Christ relates to that.  Perhaps the reason why Paul goes into detail about such things in this particular place is to show how much the believer is rooted in Christ.  A believer has been buried with Christ and has been raised with Christ.  He goes on to tell his readers in the next verse that for them, "God made alive together with him".  Believers are buried with Christ, they are raised with Christ and they are made alive with Christ.  Believers are connected with Christ.  To be separated from Christ would perhaps suggest that such things (buried, risen, alive) never took place.  We are told to walk in him and be rooted in him.  We need to be on guard against "philosophy and empty deceit" this is "not according to Christ".

Colossians 2:11

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,

-Colossians 2:11

Why should we not be taken "captive by philosophy and empty deceit"?  Verse 9 and 10 tell us about the "fullness of deity" in Christ and how we have been "filled in him".  We also are told that he is "the head of all rule and authority".  The next link in the chain has to do with circumcision.  Why should we not be taken "captive by philosophy and empty deceit"?  Another reason is because we were circumcised by the circumcision of Christ.  NLT puts it this way:

When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.

-Colossians 2:11 (NLT)

We are connected to him in something as intimate as circumcision.  Obviously, we're not talking about physical circumcision.  Paul describes what he means, "by putting off the body of the flesh".  Being connected with him in such a way would make it ridiculous for us to also be taken captive by something that is not of Christ.  Walk in him.

Colossians 2:9-10

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

-Colossians 2:9-10

Paul warns his readers against being taken "captive by philosophy and empty deceit".  These kinds of things are "not according to Christ".  Paul goes on to say what he says in verse 9 and 10.  Paul points to the fullness of deity in Christ and how they have been "filled in him".  I'm not entirely sure of what Paul's logic is, but I'll try to take a stab at it.  He seems to be pointing them towards who Christ is and has always been to them.  With regard these things Paul is saying about Christ, they should remember them.  These are probably reasons why walking in him and being rooted in him will keep them from being taken "captive by philosophy and empty deceit".  It says, "in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him".  If we have been filled in him and the whole fullness of deity is in him, why would we be taken captive by what is empty?  He is "the head of all rule and authority".  So, he rules over that which might take you captive.  But you have been filled in him, so why would you be taken captive by anything?  If he is the head of all, he cannot be under or taken captive by anything.  He who cannot be taken captive is who you have been filled in.  Why would you be taken captive?  Perhaps that's a bit circular or redundant or repetitive.  Unfortunately, I can get that way sometimes.  Regardless, let us remember who he is and who we are filled in as to not be taken captive and to walk in him.

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:8

Paul moves on to give a warning to his readers.  The warning is against being taken captive by "philosophy and empty deceit".  However, I'm not quite sure what Paul means by "philosophy and empty deceit".  NLT translates it, "empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense" and AMP translates it, "philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble]".  I'm still not entire sure what Paul is talking about, but he helps us out by giving is a bit more on what these things are.  Whatever he means by "philosophy and empty deceit", they are "according to human tradition" and "according to the elemental spirits of the world".  I think that the NLT and AMP translations are somewhat helpful as well: "that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world", "according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the elementary principles of this world".  Looking into all of these things is helpful, but I think that Paul gives us the most important thing last.  The last thing that Paul tells us about these things is that they are "not according to Christ".  I think that sometimes we can easily get caught up in what Paul is warning us against.  This is actually very clear in the way that Paul describes it at the beginning, "See to it that no one takes you captive".  This is so dangerous that is something that can take you captive.  The worst is probably when people don't realize that they are captive to these things.  I think that the worst things that people are taken captive by are the things that people think are Christian but are really not.  It may seem like something "according to Christ" but it really isn't.  I want to warn you (and myself as well, since I am not immune) to beware of being taken captive by these things.  Perhaps the best way to be on guard of this or to ensure it doesn't happen to you is to "walk in him" as it says in verse 6.  How can you be taken captive by something that is not according to Christ if you are walking in him?  Let us walk in him and be rooted and built up in him.

Colossians 2:7

rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

-Colossians 2:7

having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established [a]in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.

-Colossians 2:7 (AMP)

Paul tells us more about what it means to "walk in him".  It means to be "rooted and built up in him".  It means to be "established in the faith".  It means to be "abounding in thanksgiving".  The more I read Colossians the more I am amazed by the centrality of Christ in this book.  We are to be "deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him".  We are given a picture of a plant or tree that has its roots in the ground or soil.  We are to be like that, like a tree with its roots deeply planted into the ground.  We must be deeply rooted in Christ.  From those deep roots into the ground a tree absorbs vital nutrients and grows.  In the same way, we grow from those roots that are gathering vital nutrients from Christ.  The sermon series we're doing at church is called "Rooted" and it's a sermon serious through the book of Colossians.  We are to be rooted in him.  To be rooted in him is what it means to walk in him.

Colossians 2:6

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

-Colossians 2:6

So far, Paul has began with a number of different things.  Paul greets them, then tells them of his thankfulness and prayer for them.  He goes on to talk about Christ, followed by Paul's own sufferings and desires for them.  Now Paul moves on to encourage them to "walk in him".  Paul reminds them that they are to "walk in him" "as you received Christ".  NLT puts it this way: "just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord".  This is in direct opposition to the idea that after accepting Christ there is a decrease in the efforts or emotions in following him.  Perhaps I didn't word that very well... Paul is saying that the way in which you walk in him is similar to the way in which you first "received Christ".  Unfortunately, many people are deceived into thinking otherwise.  They may go on their lives in a different way or a different direction.  If you think about it, it's actually pretty strange.  I heard one friend give an analogy of a person who claims to be on a sports teams, but in actuality never shows up to practices, never plays the sport and never even sees the coach or other players.  Yet, in spite of this, the person will maintain that he or she is still on the team and part of the team.  Perhaps this is like someone who does not walk in Christ in the same way as he or she received Christ.  Perhaps I am stretching here a bit, so someone will have to come rebuke me if that is the case.  However, this reminds me of something similar that Paul addresses in Galatians.

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

-Galatians 3:1-3

The Galatians are doing something wrong here.  They should know that the way one receives the Spirit is by hearing with faith.  However, they are continuing by being perfected by the flesh and not the Spirit.  There is a disconnect and somewhere along the way they have been deceived.

Let us walk in him as we have received Christ.  Continue in that way on that path.  There is no waning or diminishing.  Keep on going and walk in him.

Colossians 2:5

For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

-Colossians 2:5

Take notice to Paul's words here in this verse.  At first I was a bit confused as to the exact connection between this verse and the previous.  Since it begins with the word "for", it begs the question: "what is the connection with what came before?".  Looking into it, it seems fairly simple.  This seems like it is merely Paul's personal encouragement towards them.  He is not there, but he is encouraging them in this manner.  He doesn't want them to be deceived and is showing his earnestness and desires for them.  He is with them in spirit and wants to see them and their faith in Jesus.  There is probably more to it than that, but I don't know...

Thinking about it some more, it makes me think of the joy we should have with regards to seeing how people are doing.  Specifically, I'm talking about seeing how their faith is progressing.  As I ponder this, it makes me think of some brothers who I haven't seen in a long time because they're far away.  I do look forward to seeing them again and seeing their progression in the faith.  It's nice to see how the rest of their life is doing, things like their family or how their jobs are doing.  However, it's more exciting (and encouraging) to see the growth in their faith in Christ.

Colossians 2:4

"in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

-Colossians 2:4

I feel as if I wrote about this earlier and perhaps got it wrong.  I think I read a similar passage and thought it was talking about Paul defending himself.  Well, maybe that passage was talking about Paul defending himself; however, I think he's talking about something different in this place.  I think people are trying to deceive the readers of this letter from following Christ and Paul is warning them about that here.  He doesn't want them to be deceived.  In the last verse, Paul says "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge".  They are being deceived into thinking otherwise.  They are being drawn away from believing that they can find wisdom and knowledge elsewhere.  This is a sad thing and I'm sure it comes it many forms.  I'm not sure what the specific deception is, but let us be wary of being deceived.  In Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge".  How awesome is that?  How sad is it how often I am deceived into thinking otherwise.  Let us not be deceived.

Colossians 2:1-3

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

-Colossians 2:1-3

Paul wants them to know that he has struggled quite a lot for them and those at Laodicea and those who haven't seen him face to face.  What is the purpose of Paul telling them this?  The goal is for their encouragement.  He wants them to be encouraged by the fact that he has struggled a lot for them.  He also hopes that it will help grow their love for one another.  Another thing is that they may grow in understanding and knowledge of God's mystery.  Here again we see that the mystery is equated with Christ.  It is slightly different, since it was earlier equated to "Christ in you".  In any case, we see in general that Paul is doing things for the brothers.  What's also interesting is that it isn't for help in their temporal circumstances that Paul hopes for them.  Paul's hope for them goes beyond those things.  His hope is for their encouragement, love and understanding.  Thinking in this way changes how we pray and serve one another.  It doesn't mean we neglect the difficult circumstances we find ourselves in.  However, we should focus more on looking forward to the kinds of things that Paul cares about.  We are not to be nearsighted, but looking ahead to Christ, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge".

Colossians 1:24-29

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

-Colossians 1:24-29

Paul is telling them that he is suffering for them.  He is suffering for them in the specific sense of the word, but he is also suffering for the church in a more general sense.  With regards to the church, Paul tell us of his God given duty.  God has given him the task of serving the church by proclaiming God's word.  This word of God that Paul is proclaiming is also known as "the mystery".  There definitely is a purpose for Paul calling it this, as he does in a few other letters.

As I continue through this passage, I feel that Paul's logic is both interesting and difficult to follow.   If I were to take a step back for a moment, let's try to map this out.  Paul is happy for his sufferings for their sake.  His sufferings are for the body.  The body is also known as the church.  The church is what God instructed Paul to serve.  Paul serves the church by proclaiming the word.  The word is the mystery.  The mystery was hidden, but now is being revealed to the saints.  This revealing is to show the gentiles as well.  The mystery is Christ in you, which is also the hope of glory.  It is Christ who is proclaimed.  This is for the purpose of their perfect presentation.  AND it is all for this that Paul does what he does.

I guess I jumped ahead a bit and zoomed out quite a bit, but it's interesting to see.  Paul is explaining all of this and it seems a bit confusing while I'm in the middle of it.  However, I see in the end that Paul makes a point that it is for this that he does what he does.  It is for the end result that Paul struggles hard as he does.  It reminds me to have the end in sight.  Let us look ahead and not be so near sighted.  Actually, that makes me think of the following two passages I will end with.

For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

-2 Peter 1:9

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

-Hebrews 12:1-3