In Him you have been made

…

“In Him you have been made complete. ” Col 2: 10 Textual Studies From Paul’s Letter To

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Colossians Lesson 1 – General Introduction Basic Outline – § § § Opening greetings & admonitions 1: 1 -12 Description of the Christ in Whom every man can be “complete” 1: 13 – 2: 23 Instructions on how those “complete” in Christ are to live

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § Beware of deception 2: 6 - v. 8 § Do not be taken captive through philosophy (human wisdom) and empty deception § Such is according to men’s traditions cp. Mt 15: 1 -6

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § Christ’s superiority 2: 6 - vv. 9 -14 § Paul presents 3 more “…in Him” statements to show His superiority over man-made traditions that take men captive

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § 2: 6 - Christ’s superiority vv. 9 -14 Ê “In Him” dwells all fullness of Deity in bodily form v. 9 § While in the flesh, He was 100% God § He never stopped being Divine

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § 2: 6 - Christ’s superiority vv. 9 -14 Ë “In Him” man has been made full or complete v. 10 THEME VERSE] [ § Perfect tense (past completed action with

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae § 2: 6 -23 Christ’s superiority vv. 9 -14 Ì “In Him” man has circumcised (removal of sin) vv. 11 -14 § Those dead in sin can become alive § A “circumcision” without hands (re: the heart Rom 2: 28 -29)

“Twin Epistle” Comparison Col 2: 13 Eph 2: 5 And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, …even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § 2: 6 - Christ’s superiority vv. 9 -14 Ì “In Him” man has circumcised (removal of sin) vv. 11 -14 § Man is forgiven all his transgressions § Complete remission Heb 8: 12

Some historians tell of a practice where a borrower’s debt certificate was nailed to his house once he had satisfactorily paid the debt in full to his creditor. Though Col 2: 14 does not state such re: the Law of Moses, Jesus did satisfy all the Law’s

Christ is the “end” (goal, termination) of the Law Rom 10: 4 Christ came to “…fulfill all righteousness” 3: 15 Mt Christ came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it Mt 5: 17 Lk 24: 27, 44 -45

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § 2: 6 - Christ’s superiority vv. 9 -14 Ì “In Him” man has circumcised (removal of sin) vv. 11 -14 § The Law (“certificate of debt”) was contrary to Jews § Christ’s death removed the curse that shut Jews up in sin

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § 2: 6 - Christ’s superiority vv. 9 -14 Ì “In Him” man has circumcised (removal of sin) vv. 11 -14 § The Law (“certificate of debt”) was contrary to Gentiles § Christ’s death removed the barrier that shut Gentiles out in

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § 2: 6 - Christ’s superiority vv. 9 -14 Ì “In Him” man has circumcised (removal of sin) vv. 11 -14 § The Law (“certificate of debt”) was contrary to Jews & Gentiles § Christ’s death removed the

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § Christ’s victory 2: 6 - v. 15 § In His death, Jesus “…disarmed the rulers & authorities” § Spiritual powers opposing God 1: 16 2: 10 Eph 1: 19 -21

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § Christ’s victory 2: 6 - v. 15 § God made a “public display” of them (exposed them) § Christ “triumphed over them” when He removed Satan’s power over death Heb 2: 14 -15

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § Christ’s victory 2: 6 - v. 15 § The “eventual victory” occurred when He was raised from the dead 2: 12 b § Publicly seen by witnesses Acts 1: 3

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § 2: 6 - The meaning of His victory 16 -23 § “Therefore…” vv. v. 16 a § What Paul is about to say is directly connected to what he just said

Complete In Christ Textual Studies In Lesson 3 Colossians – Christ In Whom We’re Complete Paul exhorts Colossae 23 § 2: 6 - The meaning of His victory 16 -23 vv. § “…Let no man judge you in regard to” (things of the Law) v. 16 b § Esp. relevant for Gentile

…