6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

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. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 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, 12 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, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

2:6-7: Because Christ has all “the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3) and the Colossians have “received” him as Lord, Paul exhorted them to “walk in him.” A word of caution here. We need to be careful with the word “received” because of how it’s used in today’s Church language. 

“Receiving” Jesus in Colossians is not the same as “accepting Jesus” or “inviting him into our life.” Rather, it’s a commitment to worship, follow, and obey Jesus as our creator, sustainer, redeemer, teacher, high priest, judge, Lord, and king. 

Jesus must reign in our disciple making process.

If we are to become “rooted and built up in him and established in the faith,” (2:7) then our discipleship process must take into consideration spiritual development. So, what’s the process for developing Christ-followers? In brief, we need to equip people to evangelize (seekers), establish/edify (children), equip (young adults) and expand (the vision for adults).

2:8-10: The Colossian heresy included some kind of mystical philosophy. Paul is not condemning the study of philosophy. Philosophy (the love of wisdom) can be a good thing! Philosophy encourages critical thinking. Philosophy can be used in Christian apologetics. If philosophy, however, is our ultimate source and standard of truth, then it has the power to deceive us from the truth. 

Limiting our discussion to (false) philosophies/beliefs about Jesus, several come to mind including: 

Mormonism: Jesus is not eternal but the first spirit born to heavenly parents

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Jesus is the first and greatest created being from God: archangel Michael

New Age: Jesus was a human who became a divine spiritual guru

Judaism: Jesus was a teacher, miracle worker, but not the Messiah or God

Islam: Jesus is a prophet, miracle worker, but not God

Buddhism: Jesus is an enlightened, holy person

Hinduism: Jesus is like Krishna; perhaps an incarnation of God

Religious pluralism: Jesus is one of many ways to salvation/liberation.

“Human tradition” can refer to teachings and practices that do not have God’s grace at the center of them and adds achievements and morality as a means to establish or deepen our relationship with God (Mark 7:1-13/Matthew 15:1-9). This kind of tradition leads to legalism and self-righteousness. 

Jesus often criticized the Pharisees for these negative traits (Matthew 5:20; with scribes: 16:5-12/Mark 8:14-21/Luke 12:1-3; with scribes: 23:21-36/Luke 11:37-44). Regarding these traits, Hughes writes: “The idea that spirituality can be quantified provides an unfortunate basis for pride and judgmentalism….the flesh has no trouble with religious rules and regulations. There is an authentic lure to legalism.” (289) 

We should note, however, that “tradition” can be practiced in a good and God glorifying manner when they are a means of deepening our faith and experience of God’s grace (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6).  

The “elemental spirits of the world” refer to demonic spiritual beings. Some were worshiping angels (2:18) and others had some prior relationship with demonic forces (2:15). Individually or corporately, these three—philosophy, tradition, elemental spirits can take us “captive” unless we spiritually nourish ourselves with Christ (a dynamic relationship) and protect ourselves with a deeper understanding of his nature (Christology).     

Jesus possesses the ultimate authority and power because “in him the whole fullness of deity dwells.” (2:9; cf. John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 1:3) What does it mean to be filled in Christ? (2:10) It does not mean that Christ-followers are in some way divine. Rather, “it is because of Christ’s full deity that believers, having been filled in him, can experience full salvific assurance and benefits.” (Pao, 163)   

But it also means that we don’t have to seek new and different kinds of spiritual experiences apart from Christ as well. Because we are filled with Christ, we have the very presence of God within us (cf. the Spirit of God dwells within us: Ezekiel 36:26-27; Romans 8:1-16; Galatians 4:6; 1 Timothy 6:19; 2 Timothy 1:14). 

Jesus is “the head of all rule and authority.” (2:10) The meaning of “head” signifies Jesus’ authority and power over the demonic world (cf. 1:18: Christ is the head of the church). Pao comments: “Together with 2:15, one finds a progressive depiction of Christ’s power in relations to such spiritual powers: they are created through him (1:16), subject to him (2:10), and disarmed and defeated by him (2:15).” (163)  

2:11-12: Circumcision (performed on the eighth day for Jewish males) was an outward sign testifying to God’s covenant with His people. Beginning with Abraham (Genesis 17:1-14), all male descendants were required to be circumcised (Leviticus 12:1-3; Joshua 5:1-9; Luke 2:21; Acts 7:8). Drawing from this idea of circumcision being a sign of God’s people, Paul teaches that Christ-followers have been spiritually circumcised (3:11; cf. Philippians 3:3). 

Comparing physical circumcision (human) with spiritual circumcision (Spirit), Wiersbe notes four key differences: external surgery vs internal (heart), part of the body vs the whole ‘body of sins,’ done by hands vs done without hands, and no spiritual help in conquering sin vs enables them to overcome sin (127).  

Paul teaches that spiritual circumcision has created a spiritual union with Christ (cf. Romans 6:5-11). When Jesus died, we also died on the cross. When Jesus was buried, our former life was also buried in the grave. When Jesus resurrected from the dead, we were also raised to a new life. 

This spiritual union with Christ is at the heart of Paul’s proclamation in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

2:13-15: When Paul says that we are “dead” he means that we are separate from God and have no spiritual relationship with Him (cf. Ephesians 2:1-3). Our “trespasses” (sins) condemn us, but God made us spiritually alive (cf. Ephesians 2:5-6). 

The Law required us to live according to God’s perfect standard. Because we have fallen short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23), we have incurred an infinite spiritual debt to Him. Jesus’ death on the cross not only cancelled our spiritual debt, but his righteousness has also been accredited to us (justification: Romans 3:21-31).

Jesus’ death (and resurrection) also liberated us from the ultimate power and control of the evil one (2:15; cf. Genesis 3:15; 1 John 4:4). This doesn’t mean that Satan and demons can no longer influence us. Satan and demons lie (John 8:44), blind people to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4), and influence people to follow their ways (Matthew 11:18; Luke 8:27). Satan is called our enemy and attacks us (1 Peter 5:8). He wants us to doubt God and His Word and live defeated lives. 

The “open shame” and “triumphing over them” (2:15; cf. 1:16; 2:8; 2:20; Ephesians 1:21) calls to mind those grandiose military processions where the victors would parade their captured enemies through the streets thereby demonstrating their authority, power, and glory over their defeated adversaries.

A large portion (2:8-15) of this passage (2:6-15) highlights Jesus reigning over mystical philosophy, human traditions, and the demonic world. Concerning mystical philosophy, we don’t need to pursue other avenues to become one with God. Not only have we been spiritually united with Christ (death, burial, resurrection), but we have every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). 

Regarding human traditions, we don’t need to add anything to God’s grace. We don’t need more “dos” and “don’ts.” The gospel is complete. Jesus reigns over traditions because he is the gospel. Finally, Jesus reigns over the demonic world. Whether it was due to the fear of the unknown or desire to dabble with the supernatural, Jesus reigns over all of creation and has defeated these demonic powers (his life, death, resurrection, universal reign).

1. Having “received Christ Jesus the Lord,” (v. 6) what does Paul exhort us to do? (v. 6-7) How do we practically follow his challenge? 

2. Which philosophies and deceitful ways have taken us captive? (v. 8) How do we combat these false teachings? 

3. What does it mean to be circumcised in/by Christ and to be buried (in baptism) and raised with Christ? (vs 11-12) Why is this significant? Are there ways to experience these truths?

4. How does Paul describe our past life and how does God make us alive? (vs. 13-14)   

5. What does Paul teach about Christ in relation to the demonic world and influence? (vs. 9-10, 15)

6. How is the power of the gospel highlighted in this passage? (2:6-15)

7. How does Jesus reign in 2:6-15? How can these truths make a difference in our lives?