Colossians Chapter 2
Verse 1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me
personally.Verse 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of
complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
Verse 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Verse 4I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. Verse 5For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. Verse 6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, Verse 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Verse 8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Verse 9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, Verse 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. Verse 11In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,
In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, Verse 12having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. Verse 13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, Verse 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. Verse 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.Verse 16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. Verse 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Verse 18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. Verse 19He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Verse 20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: Verse 21"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? Verse 22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Verse 23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.---------------------------------------------------------
Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Bible NIV
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