Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Colossians 2

Col 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

great conflict

Phl 1:30; Col 1:29; 1Th 2:2.

Col 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

hearts might be comforted

2Co 1:6.

knit together in love

Col 3:14.

full assurance

Assurance. 1Th 1:5. (Isa 32:17; Jde 1:1.)

mystery of God

Scofield Matthew 13:11, note.

The "mystery of God" is Christ, as incarnating the fulness of the Godhead, and all the divine wisdom and knowledge for the redemption and reconciliation of man.

and of the Father, and of Christ

The best authorities omit "and of the Father, and of Christ."

Col 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

In whom are hid

Eph 1:9; 3:9.

Col 2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

lest any man should beguile you

Col 2:8, 18; Rom 16:18; 2Co 11:13; Eph 4:14; 5:6.

Col 2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

your order

1Co 14:40.

stedfastness of your faith

1Pe 5:9.

Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

world

kosmos (Mat 4:8) = mankind.

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

fulness of the Godhead bodily

Jhn 1:14; Col 1:19.

Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

the head of all principality and power

Eph 1:20; 1Pe 3:22.

Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

circumcised

Deu 10:16; Jer 4:4; Rom 2:29; Phl 3:3.

the sins of

Omit "the sins of."

Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Buried with him in baptism

Rom 6:4.

raised him from the dead

Eph 1:20.

Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

dead in your sins

Death (spiritual) Eph 2:1-5. (Gen 2:17; Eph 2:5.)

forgiven

Forgiveness. Col 3:13. (Lev 4:20; Mat 26:28.)

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances

Eph 2:15-16.

Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

spoiled principalities and powers

Eph 6:12; Heb 2:14.

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

judge you in meat

Rom 14:3.

holyday

Sanctify, holy (things) (N.T.). 2Ti 3:15. (Mat 4:5; Rev 22:11.)

Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

a shadow of things to come

Heb 8:5; 9:9; 10:1.

Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

angels

Scofield Hebrews 1:4, note.

intruding into those things which he hath not seen

The errorists against whom Paul warns the Colossians, and against whom, in principle, the warning has perpetual significance, were called "Gnostics," from gnosis, "knowledge." These Gnostics "came most keenly into conflict with the exalted rank and redeeming work of Christ, to whom they did not leave His full divine dignity, but assigned to Him merely the highest rank in the order of spirits, while they exalted angels as concerned in bringing the Messianic salvation."—H.A.W. Meyer. Paul's characteristic word in Colossians for the divine revelation is epignosis, i.e. "full knowledge" (Col 1:9-10; 3:10), as against the pretended "knowledge" of the errorists. The warnings apply to all extra-biblical forms, doctrines, and customs, and to all ascetic practices [denial of worldly pleasures].

Col 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

holding

holding fast.

the Head

Eph 4:15-16.

Col 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

world

kosmos = world-system. Jas 1:27. (Jhn 7:7; Scofield Revelation 13:3-8, note.)

Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh

Or, "which do not really honour God, but only satisfy the flesh" (i.e. by creating a reputation for superior sanctity).

flesh

Flesh. Col 2:11, 23; 1Pe 3:21. (Jhn 1:13; Jde 1:23.)