Colossians
Two doctrinal errors were
threatening the Colossians. In this letter the Apostle Paul does what he can to
help the people cope with these things and the false teachers who are troubling
them. His approach is fascinating. By example in this letter, the apostle
teaches us that the way to overcome darkness is to turn on the light. It does
little good to shout at it, beat at it with a club, or plead with it to go
away. Darkness disappears in the light, and Jesus Christ is the light of this
world.
In this book, therefore, you
will find one of the great passages concerning the person of Jesus Christ. To
combat the two errors that threatened the people of God, Paul exalts Christ in
His Person and work; and the believers union with Him as the one and final
answer for all time.
The first problem which was
sort of an ascetic legalism, is dealt with in Colossians 2:14‑17.
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and,
having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly,
triumphing over them in it. Let no man, therefore, judge you in food, or it
drink, or in respect of a feast day, or of the new moon, or of a Sabbath day,
which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."
To the legalist, the
commandments of God are central and Christ is just sort of a shadow in the
background. If we love the Lord Jesus Christ we will obey the commandments as
unto Him. If we are all wrapped up in our doctrine, we can grow sour and cranky
toward those who do not believe exactly as we do. It is possible to exalt some
truth about Christ above Christ Himself.
The second doctrinal error
was dealt with in Colossians 2:18‑23. "Let no man beguile you of
your reward in a voluntary, humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into
those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and
not holding the Head, from whom all the body by joints and bands having
nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Wherefore, if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as
though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances: touch not; taste not;
handle not; which all are to perish with the using, after the commandments and
doctrines of men? These things have indeed a show of wisdom in will, worship,
and humility, and neglecting of the body, not in any honor to the satisfying of
the flesh."
This second problem took the
form of a false humility and a worship of angels. This false mysticism resulted
from not holding fast to the supreme headship of Christ. Only when the absolute
supremacy of Christ is adhered to, can the people of God function normally and
grow.
As in the case of the human
body, the head must direct all other functions of the body. Grace humbles man
and exalts God. A false humility had arisen in the belief that man is too
unworthy to approach Christ directly and therefore he needed the mediation of
angels. They were proud of their extreme humility.
There was one other group
that the apostle takes note of, and deals with. This was a group of
philosophers who were teaching things contrary to Christ. "Beware lest any
man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,
after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
Philosophy, the love of
knowledge, was in this case a system of religious thought that does not place
the person and work of Christ central. He gave his time trying to understand
what he knew he could never understand. He may see in Christ certain things
that fit in with his philosophy, but his philosophical ideas are central and
Christ is just sort of a shadow in the background.
Instead of opposing
Christianity this took possession of it and blended its own ideas with it, thus
the pure truths of the gospel were perverted. Paul opposed this intellectual
exclusiveness because it was Paul's firm belief that every person, not just a
few privileged intellectuals, could and should become mature in Christ.
Study this book to see the
Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory.
© Copyright
2002, LeRoy Eims