a) Both of the Father and of Christ (2d)
b) In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (3)
B. REASONS FOR THIS CONCERN (4-5)
1. Lest anyone deceive them with persuasive words (4)
2. Though absent in the flesh, he is present with them in spirit (5a)
3. He rejoices to see...
a. Their good order (5b)
b. The steadfastness of their faith (5c)
C. EXHORTATIONS TO BE FIRMLY ESTABLISHED IN CHRIST (6-7)
1. As they have received Christ, so they should walk in Him (6)
a. Rooted and built up in Him (7a)
b. Established in the faith (7b)
-- As they were taught (7c)
2. Abounding with thanksgiving (7d)
II. WARNINGS AGAINST "THE COLOSSIAN HERESY" (8-23)
A. WARNING AGAINST PHILOSOPHY (8-10)
1. Beware of being cheated by philosophy and empty deceit (8a)
a. According to the traditions of men (8b)
b. According to the basic principles of the world (8c)
-- And not according to Christ (8d)
2. In Christ dwells the fullness of God, and you are complete in Him (9-10)
a. All the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ (9)
b. You are complete in Him, who is head over all principality and power (10)
B. WARNING AGAINST JUDAISTIC CEREMONIALISM (11-17)
1. In Christ you have a circumcision made without hands (11-12)
a. A putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh (11)
b. Having been buried with Christ in baptism (12)
1) In which you were also raised with Him (12a)
2) Through faith in the working of God, who raised Jesus from the dead (12b)
2. You are made alive in Christ, and the handwriting of requirements that was against us has
been taken away at the cross (13-15)
a. Dead in sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God has made you alive (13a)
b. He has forgiven you all trespasses (13b)
c. He has wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us (14)
1) That which was contrary to us (14a)
2) He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (14b)
d. He has disarmed principalities and powers (15)
1) Having made a public spectacle of them (15a)
2) Triumphing over them in it (15b)
3. Therefore don't let anyone judge you in regards to food, festivals, or Sabbath days (16)
a. They are only a shadow of things to come (17a)
Mark A. Copeland
The Book Of Colossians 14