Do Not Be Deceived

Colossians 2:1-5

Written by Paul

Written to believers in Colossae

Written from Rome

Written in 61 AD

Written because of the Colossian heresy

Written to show the supremacy of Christ

The Doctrine of the Mystery, Col 2:2-3

The Deceivers, Col 2:4

The Discipline, Col 2:5

1. Be encouraged with hearts knit together in love, vv 1-2a

2. Have knowledge of God’s secret plan, or mystery, vv 2b-3

3. Guard against theological deception, vv 4-5

4. Continue to grow in the Lord, vv 6-7a

5. Rejoice and be thankful in the Lord, v 7b

The Outline Bible, Harold L. Willmington, electronic edition

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of GOD’S MYSTERY, that is, Christ Himself… (Col 2:1-3)

The mystery of Christ

Mysteries of the Kingdom (Matt 13:11, Mk 4:11, Luke 8:10) The Kingdom is delayed

Mystery of the partial hardening of the Jews (Rom 11:25)

Mystery of the Rapture (1 Cor 15:51)

Mystery of the summation of all things in Christ (Eph 1:9)

Mystery of the Gentiles being fellow heirs of the kingdom with Jews (Eph 3:1-3)

Mystery of the Dispensation of the Church (Eph 3:9, Rev 10:7)

Mystery of the Church as the bride of Christ (Eph 5:28-33)

Mystery of the Antichrist (2 Thess 2:7)

Mystery of Babylon, and the false worship (Rev 17:5, 7)

Mystery of Christ in believers (Col 1:26-27)

Mystery of godliness through faith in Christ (Col 2:2-7, 1 Tim 3:16) We have godliness through who Christ is, 1 Tim 3:16

Believers are permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit Psalm 51:11, this had never been the case before Christ

Sanctified through faith OT saints sanctified through the Law, i.e. restored fellowship

Mystery of godliness through faith in Christ Message of Chapter 1, summed up in vv 1:26-29

1 Timothy 3:14-16 We should act in accordance with Paul’s teaching

His teaching is that godliness is found in Christ

Christ is sufficient for our godliness, v 3 … in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and

knowledge. Colossians 2:3

We have complete knowledge of godliness in Christ

We have complete wisdom (knowledge put into practice) in Christ.

I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. Colossians 2:4 Delude παραλογιζηται (paralogizetai), passive voice, i.e.

do not let yourself be deluded, deceived, defrauded

Persuasive argument πιθανολογια (pithanolgia) Deceive or lie to with flowery language

Only time this word is used in NT

Paul gives them the true gospel so they are not deceived. Full gospel: justification, sanctification and glorification

Here emphasizing sanctification

False teachers never emphasize the sufficiency of Christ, 2 Peter 2:1

They are sensual and greedy, 2 Peter 2:2-3

They are wolves in sheep’s clothing, Matt 7:15

They pretend to be something they are not, 2 Cor 11:13

They are full of fraud and deceit, and they make straight paths crooked, Acts 13:9-10

They bring people into bondage, Gal 2:4ff

They are numerous, 1 John 4:1

They divide the brethren, and they deceive the unsuspecting Rom 16:17-18

For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. Colossians 2:5 Good discipline ταξιν (taxin), military term, orderly

array, fixed order

Stability στερεωμα (stereoma), military term, steadfastness, commitment to duty

It takes good discipline (1 Cor 9:25-26) and commitment (1 Pt 5:8-9) to not be deceived.

Study the Word, 2 Tim 2:15, 3:17

Test ALL things, 1 Thess 5:21

Renew your mind, Rom 12:2

Put on the full armor of God, i.e. abide in Him, Eph 6:11

Contend for the faith, Jude 3 and following