1I want you to know how greatly I struggle for you, for those at Laodicea, and even for all those who do not know me in person. 2Yes, I struggle so that their hearts may be comforted, being united in love, and [obtaining] the treasure that is in the full assurance of understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God the Father and of Christ.2002 3In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! 4Now I say these things so that no one may delude you with convincing words. 5Although I am physically absent, I am spiritually present with you, rejoicing and seeing your order, as well as the solidity2003 of your faith in Christ. 6As you received Christ Jesus as the Lord, walk also in him, 7rooted and built up in him, established in the faith just as you were taught, overflowing from faith into thanksgiving.
Buried with him, raised with him
8Be careful not to let anyone rob you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to human tradition and the basic things of the world, and not after Christ. 9For in him all the fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10and in him who is the head of all principality and power, you are made full. 11In him, you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, by casting off the body of the sins2004 of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12having been buried with him through baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13You were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, but he made you alive with him by forgiving us all our trespasses and by 14wiping out the handwriting2005 of ordinances which was against us. He set this aside2006, nailing it to the cross, 15having exposed the principalities and powers, making a public display of them, and triumphing over them.
Useless or dangerous teachings
16Therefore, let no one judge you in matters of eating or drinking, or regarding a feast day, a new moon {observance,} or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body2007 belongs to Christ. 18Let no one rob you of your prize by false humility and a religion of angels,2008 dwelling on things which one has not2009 seen, vainly puffed up by a carnal mind. 19Such a person is not holding firmly to the head, from whom the whole body, being supported and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with the growth given by God. 20But if you died with Christ as regards these basic2010 principles of the world, why do you subject yourselves to [these] commandments, as though you were still living in the world? 21”Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22These things are all destined to perish with use! These are merely human commands and teachings! 23Indeed, these things have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, humility, and severe treatment of the body; but they have no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Raised with Christ—Death to what is earthly—The new self
- CT reads “of God which is Christ” instead of “of God the Father and of Christ”
- Or “steadfastness/stability”
- CT omits “of the sins”
- Greek ceiro,grafon
- The Greek may also have the meaning of “removing,” “destroying,” or “conquering”
- Greek a[ evstin skia. tw/n mello,ntwn( to. de. sw/ma tou/ Cristou/—NRS reads “the substance belongs to Christ;” NJB reads “the reality is the body of Christ”
- Conveys the idea of an “angelic cult” where heavenly messengers are seen as indispensable intermediaries to the divine, as in Gnosticism.
- CT reads “has seen” (omits “not”)
- Or “elemental, primordial”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
