Colossians 2:20-22 — Under the influence of false teachers, the Colossians had brought elements of the pagan worldview into their Christian lives. Paul addressed this by reminding them of their union with Christ and challenging them about their submission to man-made rules. We too can adopt pagan ways of thinking in our approach to the Christian…

Colossians 2:19 — Is listening to a sermon on a mobile phone or watching a sermon on an iPad a satisfactory substitute for the gathered worship of God’s people? Can we be casual in our association with the church and expect to grow as Christians? The New Testament answers these questions with a resounding “no!” The Christian…

Colossians 2:18-19 — The Christians at Colossae were dealing with false teaching that had a strongly mystical element. There was an emphasis on dreams and visions and they were being judged for not having these kinds of experiences. Mysticism has always troubled the church and it continues to do so today, particularly in Charismatic and…

Colossians 2:16-17 — Are Christians obligated to observe certain holy days? Are there particular dietary laws that Christians must keep? What about the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day? The Christians at Colossae were being told that their growth and progress in the Christians life was dependant upon these things. Was that true? What was Paul’s response? As…

Colossians 2:15 — Paul reminds his readers of the cosmic significance of Christ’s redemptive work. God, through Christ, has disarmed and disgraced Satan and his demons. The Colossians had nothing to fear from the powers of darkness, neither do all those who are in Christ. “The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His…

Colossians 2:14 — Debt is vital for a healthy economy and a healthy society and yet it is something we would all rather do without! For some, their debt is so burdensome it dominates their life and destroys their relationship. The Bible speaks of sin in a number of ways. It is the transgression of…

Colossians 2:12 — How is the Christian united to Jesus Christ?  How is he/she made to participate with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection? What are the consequences of this union? And what about circumcision, baptism and faith which Paul brings into this discussion? These are the questions explored in this study as we…

Colossians 2:10-11 — The Apostle Paul had a very simple message for the Christians at Colossae. In Christ they already possessed what the false teachers were promising. They had all that was required to live in fellowship with God and to make progress in the Christian life. They didn’t need special diets, religious rituals or…

Colossians 2:8-9 — “Beware lest any man spoil you…” This is the second command in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, it’s an exhortation to be alert to false teachers who would rob them of all the benefits and blessings that were theirs in Christ. Paul describes how these teachers would attempt to do that and he…

Colossians 2:4-5 — In this text Paul mentions two things about the church at Colossae that made him happy – their order and their steadfast faith in Christ.  Evidently the church had not bought into the false teaching they were being exposed to.  The church was strong and yet Paul had a very serious warning…