For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me face to face, that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God—namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
I say this so that no one will deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see your orderly condition and your firm faith in Christ.
Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
The Full Assurance of Faith
Paul continues to labor in prayer and in word—not only for Colossae but for Laodicea and all others who have not seen his face. His pastoral concern is not grounded in geography or reputation but in union with Christ. His aim is not merely correction but encouragement—that the hearts of the believers would be strengthened and knit together in love. This love, produced by the Spirit, is the binding force of the New Covenant community (cf. Romans 5; Colossians 3).
His longing is that they would be filled with complete understanding, not partial shadows. And the aim of this understanding is to know the mystery of God—namely, Christ. Paul defines mystery not as a riddle but as revelation previously hidden, now made known in the person of Jesus (cf. Ephesians 3). There is no second tier of revelation beyond Him. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge—not in legalism, Gnosticism, or traditions, but in the crucified and risen Lord.
Paul’s warning follows naturally: don’t be deceived by fine-sounding arguments. The Colossians were being targeted by persuasive voices offering something “deeper,” “older,” or “higher.” Paul refutes this by affirming that Christ is the fullness. He may be absent in body, but his joy in their order and firmness in faith is grounded in spiritual union—a mark of New Covenant fellowship (cf. 1 Corinthians 5; Philippians 1).
Then comes Paul’s exhortation: “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him.” How did they receive Him? By faith. Not by works, not by ritual, not by ascent to secret knowledge—but by grace through faith in the gospel (cf. Galatians 3). So now, walk in the same way: by faith, in grace, by the Spirit.
This walk is described with beautiful images: rooted (like a tree planted in grace), built up (like a temple rising on the foundation of Christ), established in the faith (not shaken by shifting winds), and overflowing with thankfulness (the fruit of a heart that knows it is redeemed, not earned). These are all pictures of New Covenant life—a life rooted in Christ, not Sinai; built by grace, not by law.
In this short passage, Paul grounds the Colossians in Christ as the true treasure, the mystery revealed, the source of all wisdom, and the only foundation for spiritual growth. All progress in the Christian life is not moving beyond Christ but deeper into Him.
Moe Bergeron 
Leave a comment