Colossians 2:6-10
Complete Already
Read the passage
6Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him,
7rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.
10And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The Colossians received Christ Jesus as Lord. Paul now calls them to continue living in Him, rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith they were taught and overflowing with thanks.
The pictures of roots and a building describe stability and growth. Remaining in Christ is active: the believers are to deepen in the truth they received and live under His lordship. Gratitude belongs with that continuing growth.
They must watch against being taken captive by empty deception based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than Christ. Paul identifies the problem by its source and direction. Teaching that draws them from their Lord cannot provide the fullness it promises.
All the fullness of deity dwells bodily in Christ. He is fully God, truly present in human nature. The believers have been made complete in Him, and He is head over every ruler and authority.
They therefore need no rival spiritual power to supply what Christ lacks. Their completeness in Him is the ground for continuing to grow in Him. The Lord they received is sufficient for the life to which He calls them.
Questions
1 What does Paul tell those who have received Christ as Lord to do?
AnswerThey are to continue living in Him, rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith and overflowing with thankfulness.
2 What kind of teaching threatens to take them captive?
AnswerEmpty deception based on human tradition and the world's spiritual forces rather than Christ threatens to lead them away from their Lord.
3 What does Paul say about deity dwelling in Christ?
AnswerAll the fullness of deity dwells in Him bodily. Christ is fully God, and His human life is real.
4 Why do the believers need no additional spiritual ruler to complete them?
AnswerThey have been made complete in Christ, who is head over every ruler and authority. Their fullness is found in Him.
What This Means for Us
Growth in prayer, knowledge and obedience is good. We pursue it because we belong to Christ, without treating it as a missing payment that will finally make Him accept us.
Be cautious of a teacher who makes access to God depend on a special experience, secret insight or loyalty to that teacher. Return to the Christ you received as Lord and ask how the claim fits what Scripture says about His sufficiency.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, keep us rooted in You. Help us grow in the faith we have received, resist teaching that draws us away and overflow with thanks for the fullness we have in You. Amen.