Colossians 2 - IVP New Testament Commentaries

Paul's Response to the "Philosopher"

In responding to a philosophy or system of truth devoid of any Christology, Paul returns to two core convictions found in his opening confession of the Lord Christ (1:15-20). The first claim is that Christ is the personal and complete revelation of God within history (2:9-10; compare 1:19). The second claim is that Christ rules over every other power within God's created order (2:10-15; compare 1:18). When we embrace these two christological convictions, Paul says, we participate with Christ in the abundant fullness of God's salvation.