Warnings Against the Adoption of False Philosophies

2:6 Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,12 continue to live your lives13 in him, 2:7 rooted14 and built up in him and firm15 in your16 faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 2:8 Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you17 through an empty, deceitful philosophy18 that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits19 of the world, and not according to Christ. 2:9 For in him all the fullness of deity lives20 in bodily form, 2:10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 2:11 In him you also were circumcised—not, however,21 with a circumcision performed by human hands, but by the removal22 of the fleshly body,23 that is,24 through the circumcision done by Christ. 2:12 Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your25 faith in the power26 of God who raised him from the dead. 2:13 And even though you were dead in your27 transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless28 made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions. 2:14 He has destroyed29 what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness30 expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. 2:15 Disarming31 the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross.32

2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath days—2:17 these are only33 the shadow of the things to come, but the reality34 is Christ!35 2:18 Let no one who delights in humility and the worship of angels pass judgment on you. That person goes on at great lengths36 about what he has supposedly seen, but he is puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind.37 2:19 He has not held fast38 to the head from whom the whole body, supported39 and knit together through its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God.40

2:20 If you have died with Christ to the elemental spirits41 of the world, why do you submit to them as though you lived in the world? 2:21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” 2:22 These are all destined to perish with use, founded as they are42 on human commands and teachings.43 2:23 Even though they have the appearance of wisdom44 with their self-imposed worship and false humility45 achieved by an46 unsparing treatment of the body—a wisdom with no true value—they in reality result in fleshly indulgence.47

Exhortations to Seek the Things Above

3:1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 3:2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3:3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 3:4 When Christ (who is your1 life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him. 3:5 So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth:2 sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion,3 evil desire, and greed which is idolatry. 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.4 3:7 You also lived your lives5 in this way at one time, when you used to live among them. 3:8 But now, put off all such things6 as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. 3:9 Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices 3:10 and have been clothed with the new man7 that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. 3:11 Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave8 or free, but Christ is all and in all.

Exhortation to Unity and Love

3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy,9 kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 3:13 bearing with one another and forgiving10 one another, if someone happens to have11 a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.12 3:14 And to all these13 virtues14 add15 love, which is the perfect bond.16 3:15 Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body17 to this peace), and be thankful. 3:16 Let the word of Christ18 dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace19 in your hearts to God. 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.