1 For I desire that you knew what great conflict (deep concern) I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 In order that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together (to understand in depth. A force by love from within) in love (see Acts 9;32), and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding,
with a view to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, even Christ; (Do you want to know the mysteries of God? It's right here friends. We have not seen Paul's face; however, God's words through Paul will help you understand the mystery of salvation. Gain knowledge from His Word, and salvation will not be a mystery to you.)
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 And this I say, in order that no one should deceive you with enticing words. (Make it sound good, like the false "rapture" doctrine. Don't allow any man to deceive you. Focus on God's Word. His Word will never lead you astray.)
5 For even if I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in Him: (Walk through this life as He showed you. Let it become a reality in your daily life. Don't get sidetracked. You can forget about having access to His power, if you don't do things His way. You would have blessings removed ad a lot of darkness ahead.)
7 Rooted and built up in Him (see Acts 20:32. Rom. 3:17), and established by the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
D c 2:8. Caution. Let no man deceive you.
d 2:9,10. Christ the Head, and the body complete in Him.
e 2:11-15. Ordinances therefore done away in Christ.
c 2:16-18. Caution. Let no man judge you.
d 2:19. Christ the Head, and the body nourished by Him.
e 2:20-23. Ordinances therefore done away in Christ.
8 See to it lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments (elements. Bad things placed there by sin, Satan. See Gal. 4:3. 2 Pet. 3:10) of the world, and not after Christ. (Christ and the Word is all the signs we need. Wake up! we are nearing the battle. Never follow men. Follow Jesus Christ. The traditions of men will deceive and disappoint you every time. Christ won't.)
9 Because in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And you are complete in Him (nothing missing. See John 14), Who is the head (is Christ) of all principality and power: (Are you complete or are you trying to struggle through life on your own? God is the head of all principality and power including evil. Do the best you are able and then enter His rest. He can get it done. When you love and serve Him, you have access to that power. Claim the power and exercise the power. Satan will have a feast on you, your family and everything important in your life, if you don't use the power of God.)
11 In whom you were circumcised also with the circumcision made without hands (see Cor. 1:5), in putting off the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (The circumcision is of the heart/mind)
12 Buried with Him in baptism (i.e. His baptism to death), in Whom you were raised also with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who raised Him from the dead. (Death was defeated. It was God's plan.)
13 And you, being (i.e. at that time) dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has He made alive together with Him [even you], having graciously forgiven you all trespasses; (Spiritually, you are made alive through your faith in the strength of God. Just as God raised Christ from the dead, He is able to raise you from the dead.)
14 Having blotted out the handwriting of ordinances (see Acts 16:4) that was against us (Dogma, only blood ordinances. It is imperative you know the difference between the Law, ordinances, and statutes. It would be impossible to understand God's word without this knowledge), which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, having nailed it to His cross; (Jesus spilled His blood on the cross and wiped out the blood ordinances of sacrifice.)
15 And having put off principalities and powers (see Eph. 2:15), He made a show of them openly (to expose to public infamy. See Mark 32), triumphing over (Cp. 2 Cor. 2:14) them in it. (i.e. the cross. Christ triumphed over the principalities and powers of Satan by overcoming death. You also may openly triumph over Satan through salvation.)
16 Let no man therefore judge you in eating and drink (This has nothing to do with health laws that God showed you what was good and bad for you), or in respect (i.e. taking part) of an holyday, or of the new moon (Satan's game. See 1 Chron. 23:31), or of the sabbaths: (= rest. See Lev. 23. John 20:1. Why? Because Christ nailed these things to the cross. He did not destroy these things, He became these things. Again, I emphasize that I am speaking to the elect's priest work on the sabbath. Don't judge or criticize others that worship on a particular day of the week. If they have a conviction, it is right for them to follow that conviction. The elect, on the other hand have the freedom to do God's work seven days a week. In fact, He expects that of us.)
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (See Heb. 2. 1 Cor. 5:7,8. The sabbath days were a shadow of things to come. You have the true Light available to you. You may be complete in Him. Enter into His rest. Jesus Christ is our Sabbath.)
18 Let no man defraud you of your prize in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels (i.e. being a devotee to. Very dangerous. See Acts 26:5), investigating into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up (see 1 Cor. 4:6) by the mind of his flesh, (I.e. the old Adam nature. Don't get on an ego trip.)
19 And not holding fast the Head (the central theme of the Epistle is the necessity of holding fast to the Head. See Eph. 4. Denominationalism means division. People will divide over the day of the week, the way a man wears a hat, piano vs. organ, &c. Things of the world have nothing to do with the real Head [Christ], that came at the 1st Advent and fulfilled all these ordinances, whereby in worshiping Him we mature in Him.), from Whom all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered (see 2 Cor. 9:10), and knit together, increases with the increase of God. (See Eph. 4:16. You don't need anything else.)
20 Wherefore if you died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject (impose dogmas on) such as to ordinances, (This does not mead the Law is done away with.)
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; (mimicking, i.e. it is criminal preaching. Judgment begins at the pulpit.)
22 Which all are for corruption (see Rom. 8;21) with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? (The doctrines of men and demons are various, and therefore plural. Why would you want to be subject to them? It will all be destroyed. See Matt. 15:9. Mark 7:7. 1 Tim. 4:1 but the Divine teaching is one - 1 Tim. 1:10; 4:6,13,16,&c.)
23 Which order of things is having indeed a reputation of wisdom in will worship (i.e. self-imposed worship), and humility, and not sparing the body: not in any value to the satisfying of the flesh. (Ascetic observances of no value as remedies against the old nature. It looks so holy. They are self-righteous hypocrites. They have increased the evil they proclaim to have overcome.)