Exploring the Scripture

The Gentile church members in Colossae struggled with the relationship between Christianity and Judaism. Was Christianity a special form of Judaism? A corollary to a Gnostic view of secret knowledge and elemental spirits? Or was it a new faith tradition?

Jewish teachers insisted Gentiles must be circumcised Jewish and keep the laws of Judaism to be Christian. Teachers influenced by Gnosticism presented Christ as only one Spirit in a hierarchy of spiritual deities and angels. Paul wrote to the Colossians to combat these false teachings. Today’s text outlines the heart of Paul’s reasoning against circumcision.

Verse 6 reminds the Colossians that Jesus Christ is the center of the original teachings they learned from Epaphras. They not only have heard the message, they have been called to make it the foundation of their lifestyle and service. When they live “in him,” they adopt a new identity within a community of the faithful, where God’s new creation can break in and transform them.

False teachings are based on human philosophy, Jewish traditions, and ideas (perhaps Gnostic) about spirits that populate the universe. Some of these teachings presented a division of spiritual powers in various elements and divinities in a hierarchy of authority. In their understanding, Christ was only one of many. But Paul insists that “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily in Christ” (v. 9).

Jesus Christ is the physical expression of God: the Incarnation. We experience God fully in Christ, not in a partial, incomplete way. Also, Christ is the Lord of all rulers and powers on Earth and in heaven. We need fear nothing from human or cosmic authority. Christ already has defeated them.

Christian baptism replaces the rite of Jewish circumcision. More than surgically removing a symbolic piece of skin, “spiritual circumcision” (Christian baptism, v. 11) removes the entire previous life of the convert, leaving the person whole and complete. It is a spiritual transformation centered on Christ and his teachings. After being buried in the waters of baptism, each Christian is raised by God to new life in Christ through faith. Resurrection already has happened, as each Christian embraces the reality of a life forgiven, made whole, and empowered for service.

Past sins resulted in spiritual death, a condition of impurity (“uncircumcision of your flesh,” v. 13). God’s forgiveness and grace erased our record of sins and rebellion. That record was created as people failed to live the Mosaic Law. That record was nailed “to the cross” and died with Jesus. It is a canceled debt (v. 14). Christ’s resurrection was the victory over the rulers and authorities who wanted him dead, and his message silenced. He denied their authority publicly as if they were captives from a battle, stripped of armor, and paraded through the streets in humiliation.

These assurances of the effectiveness of life in Christ and God’s gift of mercy are the fundamental reasons to stand against teachings based on annual Jewish festivals, monthly observances of the moon, or weekly worship. These are not bad in themselves. But they are not the heart of the gospel. Keeping these rituals cannot bring salvation and transformation. Only Christ can do that.

Project Zion Podcast

Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.

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Central Ideas

1. When we live in Christ, we adopt a new identity in a community where God’s new creation can break in and transform us.
2. We experience God fully in Christ, not in a partial, incomplete way.
3. Resurrection already has happened as we embrace the reality of life in Christ—forgiven, made whole, and empowered for service.
4. Ritual, tradition, and speculative philosophies cannot bring salvation. Faith in Christ is the path to a transformed life in him.

Questions to Consider

1. What false teachings come to Christians today through the media, entertainment, consumerism, sports, and political arenas? How does your congregation combat those messages?
2. In discussing the idea of “spiritual circumcision,” what would be a modern equivalent or symbolic action that would make this idea relevant today?
3. What does it mean in your life that “resurrection has already happened?” Is your congregation a community of the resurrected?
4. When have you felt transformed by the gospel of Christ?