 |  |
The words of Col. 2: 4, "This I say", refer back to the revelation of the mystery with
its insistence upon the fullness of Christ. The words, "lest any man beguile you", lead on
to the warnings of the remainder of the chapter. The juxtaposition of warning and
teaching and the contrast between all that deceives and Christ Himself are indicated by
the following analysis:--
A1 | 1: 26, 27. HID. Riches of the glory of the mystery--CHRIST.
B1 | 1: 28 - 2: 1. WARNING.
A2 | 2: 2, 3. HID. Riches of full assurance of mystery--CHRIST.
B2 | 2: 4 - 3: 3. WARNING.
A3 | 3: 4. HID. Life manifest in glory--CHRIST.
Here, as the apostle insists in Col. 3: 11, Christ is all and in all. He brings all
teaching to the touchstone of Christ--"not after Christ" (Col. 2: 8)); "not holding the
Head" (Col. 2: 19). He exposes the foolishness of ceremonials; they are but shadows
and the body is of Christ (Col. 2: 16, 17). He disposes of all attempts to put the believer
into the bondage of negative commands (Col. 2: 21) by reaffirming the doctrine of his
identification with Christ in His death (Col. 2: 20).
Having seen the general drift of the passage, our next concern must be to seek the
literary structure, so that we may be guided in our exposition by the arrangement of the
truth.
Col. 2: 4-23.
R | a | 4-8. Plausible speech. Philosophy (sophos).
b | 8. Traditions of men.
c | 8. Rudiments of world.
CORRECTIVE. | 8. Not after Christ.
9, 10. Ye are filled full in Him.
S | d | 11, 12. Body of the flesh. The energy of God.
e | 11. Made without hands.
f | 11, 12. IN Whom. Circumcised and baptized.
CORRECTIVE. | 12. Dead and buried with Christ.
10. Head of principality and power.
T | g | 14. Handwriting of ordinances. Blotted out.
h | 14. Nailed to cross. Taken out of the way.
h | 15. Principalities spoiled. Triumph in the cross.
g | 16. Observances. Let no man judge you.
CORRECTIVE. | 17. These are shadows.
17. The body is of Christ.
S | d | 18, 19. Mind of the flesh. Increase of God.
e | 18. Voluntary humility. Vainly puffed up.
f | 18, 19. OUT of Whom. Religion of angels.
CORRECTIVE. | 19. Hold Christ the head.
20. Ye died with Christ.
R |
c | 20-22. Rudiments of world.
b | 22. Teaching of men.
a | 23. Wordy show of wisdom (sophos).
CORRECTIVE. | 23. Not in any honour.
23. Filling the flesh.