Proclaimer Blog
Paul’s Misgivings: Notes on Colossians part 9
Based on Colossians 2.1-5
These are concerned with,
- Discouragement (2:2)
Elitism depresses the humble saint, who feels ‘disqualified’ and inadequate. (John Woodhouse, in his recent Focus Commentary on Colossians is outstandingly perceptive on this and other consequences of ‘super-spirituality’)
- Disunity(2:2)
Elitism divides the congregation. The road to Christian unity is by way of the stunning reality of Col 3:11, which Elitism consciously or otherwise denies.
- Deception(2:2-4)
‘Now for the first time Paul expressly points to the danger facing the church’ (O’Brien). ‘Deceived’ here, otherwise only in James 1:22, suggest an intriguing connection in view of 2 Tim 3:13f. No doubt it was all very plausible (see Thesaurus!).