Colossians 2:1-7

Why do you think that Paul has a great struggle over the Colossians and Laodiceans in v.1?

• Paul is struggling to right the heresies cropping up in Colosse and Laodicea from afar through the epistle
• He feels so strongly about spreading the correct gospel that he likens it to a physical struggle, all for people he has never met personally
• He is working for those who have already heard the gospel, not just those who have not been reached

What does it mean in v.2 to have the riches or wealth of full assurance in understanding God's mystery of Jesus Christ?

• The Colossians want a complete human understanding of the gospel (would a better human understanding bring them more complete salvation? Perhaps akin to the good works argument)
• God's wisdom transcends human wisdom, there is no human way to measure or quantify it-- "mystery"
• Paul wanted the Laodiceans to be "encouraged in heart and united in love" in order to have the full riches of complete understanding-- Jesus is the head of the church, no one else can be the top dog
• Rather than pursuing the complete human understanding, Paul is emphasizing unity as a church body, and that through that unity in love the Laodiceans would be able to see glimpses of Christ
• Trying to unite the extended church with people he has not met before-- they cannot do it on their own, they can only understand the "mystery" in the context of the rest of the body

How can Satan delude your understanding of Jesus and the gospel?

• He can twist "good" things and cloud the truth behind them-- e.g. serving, giving, profession, "fine-sounding arguments"
• Satan convinces us that there is no redemption from our sins

In v.5, Paul demonstrates the type of relationship that believers should have with each other. Although he is not with them physically, he is present with them spiritually and is encouraging from afar.


Verses 6 and 7 show Christ as the foundation of our faith. The firmer our foundation, the less that Satan can delude our understanding of the gospel.

• It's not just about the firm belief. A firm belief does not make you safe-- that's when Satan steps up the warfare because he knows that he has to try that much harder. If anything, we are in a more vulnerable place and need to build upon the solid foundation of Christ so that we can recognize the beginnings of a slippery slope.
• The more we are built up in the foundation of Christ, a byproduct of that should be an overflow of thankfulness
• Christ is the center, foundation, root, what have you. This implies that there should be something either radiating out of it, built upon it, or growing out of it. The stronger the center, the stronger the outside. We are not called to just believe and sit by idly.