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Once more the clarion call of liberty and completeness in Christ has gone forth. May
all who own Him as Saviour and Head stand fast in this liberty, rejoicing in His fullness,
and resolutely refusing to seek in any other source or in any system of shadows what is
theirs in glorious reality in Christ.
#28. BEWARE.
Things that beguile of the Prize (2: 18).
pp. 203 - 208
The section just studied, namely, Col. 2: 14-17, occupies a central place in the
structure of the whole passage, as a reference to Volume XXIII, page 84, will reveal.
The apostle now turns back upon his theme, shedding further light upon those
insidious doctrines and practices which, while promising an advance in holiness, really
led to pampering the flesh; while affecting modesty, really denied completeness in
Christ; while multiplying mediators, really set aside the one Mediator; and while
observing days and seasons, really ignored the absolute victory of the cross. The passage
before us, Col. 2: 18-21, corresponds with Col. 2: 11, 12.
In Col. 2: 11, 12 we have the repudiation of the "body of the flesh", while in
Col. 2: 18-20 we have the "mind of the flesh" vainly puffing up and leading to bondage.
In Col. 2: 11, 12 we have the true fulfillment of both circumcision and baptism, whereas
in Col. 2: 18-20 we have "humility and worshipping of angels". In both passages we
are directed either to the "inworking (operation) of God" or to the "increase of God", and
"death with Christ" is the all-sufficient answer.
The passage before us is one of great complexity, and has produced a great number of
different translations. Where so many have failed, dare we hope to succeed? We are sure
that every word of God has been written for our learning, and that nothing is too hard for
Him. May He deign to illumine our studies together, so that we may attain at least to
some approximation of that Word whose fullness may remain unfathomed while time
lasts:--
"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of
angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly
mind" (Col. 2: 18 A.V.).
"Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the
angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind"
(Col. 2: 18 R.V.).
Both the A.V. and the R.V. have marginal notes. The A.V. says for "beguile"--
"judge against you", and for "in a voluntary humility"--"being a voluntary in humility".
The R.V. margin reads "of his own mere will, by humility, etc." and for "dwelling"
("intruding", A.V.) reads "taking his stand upon". It would serve no useful purpose to