Study 4 From the Book of Colossians is: Colossians
2:8-23
1.
What
four defects does Paul find in the false teaching (verse 8)? In what ways does
he then set forth Christ as the one absolutely sufficient Saviour (verses
9:15)? List the treasures and the benefits which are ours in Him.
2.
Verses
16-23. It is quite clear that the false teachers stressed (a) the observance of
holy days, (b) the worship of angels, and (c) ascetic practices. On what grounds
does the apostle show all these to be mistaken, useless and hurtful as a means
of salvation?
3.
Verses
11-15. How is he way in which Christians have been ‘circumcised’ from the rite
practised by the Jews? By what ceremony has Jewish circumcision been replaced
for Christians? How is its symbolism related to the death and resurrection of
Christ? Cf. Rom. 6:1-14.
Note. Verses 11, 12. ‘By
putting off the body of Flesh’: the false teachers advocated the rite of
circumcision as a means of purification. Paul’s answer is that in the
believer’s identification with Christ in His death and resurrection the whole
body which has been governed by fleshly desires is put off, and a new man
emerges. This far more than fulfills all that the rite of circumcision
signified.
