1.
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Verse 1
Conflict; mental conflict; deep interest and solicitude, including, perhaps, earnestness of prayer.
2.
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Verse 2
Unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding; to an abundance and certainty of Christian knowledge.
3.
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4.
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
Verse 4
Enticing words; that is, of false doctrine.
5.
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7.
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8.
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.
Verse 8
Spoil you; rob you, deprive you of your faith and hope in salvation by grace.
9.
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Verse 9
Bodily; really, truly.
10.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11.
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Verse 11
Circumcised. The error which seems to have given Paul and the early churches the greatest solicitude, was that of maintaining that circumcision and conformity to the Mosaic law were necessary for the Gentile converts. Hence the frequent allusions to the subject of circumcision, and such assurances as this, that the abandonment of sin through spiritual union with Christ was all the circumcision that was required.
12.
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Verse 12
Buried with him in baptism; that is, by baptism, or rather by the union with Christ of which baptism is the symbol, they died to sin, and were, as it were, buried with Christ, thenceforth to rise to a new spiritual life in him. That this is the meaning is shown by the corresponding passage in Romans 6:3-15, where the idea is more fully and distinctly expressed.--Faith of the operation; faith in the power.
13.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14.
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;
Verse 14
The hand-writing of ordinances; the written law of ordinances, that is, the Mosaic law. The meaning is, that the burdensome requirements of that law are abolished, and all its necessity superseded by the death of Christ.
15.
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Verse 15
The meaning of the verse is, that God achieved a victory and triumph over the powers and influences hostile to his kingdom, in the death of Christ.
16.
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Verse 16
Judge you in meat, &c.; condemn you on account of any thing relating to these outward ceremonies.--Sabbath days; the various sacred days of the Jews.
17.
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Verse 17
The body; the reality.
18.
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,
Verse 18
A voluntary humility and worshipping of angels. It is plain, from the connection, that these clauses refer to certain superstitions ideas and practices prevailing among those who insisted so strenuously upon the obligations of the Mosaic law. Precisely what the nature of these ideas were, as denoted by this language, it is difficult now to ascertain.
19.
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Verse 19
Holding the Head; adhering to the Head, that is, to Christ.
20.
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,
Verse 20
Dead--from the rudiments of the world; released from obligation to them, that is, from the Jewish rites. The language of the remainder of this passage (Colossians 2:20-23) is not a little obscure. The general sentiment which it has been understood to convey may be expressed thus: Why are ye subject to ordinances and outward prohibitions relating only to the perishable things of this life, that cannot spiritually affect the soul?--prohibitions which rest on the authority of human traditions, and which only make a show of sanctity by means of the outward mortification of the body.
21.
(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22.
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23.
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.