Colossians 2:8-15

Colossians 2:8-15

[8] Beware  lest  any man  through  philosophy  and  vain  deceit,  after  the tradition  of men,  after  the rudiments  of the world,  and  not  after  Christ.  [9] For  in  him  dwelleth  all  the fulness  of the Godhead  bodily.  [10] And  complete  in  him,  which  the head  of all  principality  and  power:  [11] In  whom  also  ye are circumcised  with the circumcision  made without hands,  in  putting off  the body  of the flesh  by  the circumcision  of Christ:  [12] Buried with  him  in  also  ye are risen with  him through  the faith  of the operation  of God,  who  hath raised  him  from  the dead.  [13] And  dead  in  your sins  and  the uncircumcision  flesh,  hath he quickened together  with  him,  having forgiven  all  trespasses;  [14] Blotting out  the handwriting  of ordinances  that was against  which  contrary  and  took  it  out of  the way,  nailing  it  to his cross;  [15] And having spoiled  principalities  and  powers,  he made a shew of them  openly,  triumphing over  them  in  it. 

What does Colossians 2:8-15 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul revealed what his readers enjoyed in Christ in this pericope to encourage them to remain faithful to the true revelation they had received and believed.
"The apostle now makes his most direct attack against "the Colossian heresy." The entire passage bristles with exegetical difficulties, and calls for closer attention to its wording and argument than any other part of the Epistle." [1]
" Colossians 2:8 functions as a heading and initial statement of the section"s theme, in chiastic form:
Colossians 2:8 apolemical denunciation16-23 Colossians 2:8 bin accordance with Christ9-15" [2]
"The one thing that is clear is that the false teachers wished the Colossians to accept what can only be called additions to Christ." [1]