'I say this so that no one may deceive you by specious arguments. For even if I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing as I observe your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ. For in him dwells the whole fullness of the deity bodily, and you share in this fullness in him, who is the head of every principality and power. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not administered by hand, by stripping off the carnal body, with the circumcision of Christ. You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And even when you were dead [in] transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross; despoiling the principalities and the powers, he made a public spectacle of them, leading them away in triumph by it (Col. 2:4-15).'
Paul warned the Colossians about being misled by false teaching and warned them not to fall into error. They should firmly hold on to the traditions on Christ they have received, and they should continue to follow those traditions and strive for a deeper understanding of the Gospel. They should not follow the human traditions which his opponents are teaching in the hope of persuading them to follow erroneous teaching. Their conduct should reflect the close union they have with Christ. The fullness of God resides in Christ, and they have a share in Christ. All things are subject to Christ who is the head of the Church, and they were Baptized into Christ through the power of God. They participate in Christ’s death and resurrection through their Baptism (Rom 6:5). The circumcision Paul speaks about is the renouncing of the pagan cult practices in which they previously participated. Through the Cross their sins were obliterated, and they share in the triumph of the resurrection.
Almighty God, through your grace we have knowledge of your wonders and of your Son in whom your fullness dwells. Through our Baptism we have been raised with Christ to a new life. Grant, we pray, that the infinite treasure of wisdom and knowledge that lies hidden in Christ be revealed to us so we can understand your Divine plan for us. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
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