TREASURES HIDDEN IN CHRIST

Passage: Colossians 2:1-5

Key verse: 2b,3

NIV

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending(A) for you and for those at Laodicea,(B) and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart(C) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery(D) of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.(E) 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.(F) 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit(G) and delight to see how disciplined(H) you are and how firm(I) your faith in Christ(J) is.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

2 For I want you to know (A)how great a (B)struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that (C)their hearts may be encouraged, being (D)knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of (E)God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 (F)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order (G)that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For (H)though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your (I)good order and (J)the firmness of your faith in Christ.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. That they may be encouraged and united (1-3)

Paul had never visited Colosse, but he prayed for the Christians there and for those who lived in the neighboring city of Laodicea. He prayed that they might set their hearts fully on Christ and open their hearts to love one another. The mystery of God is Christ himself. In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. When he dwells in our hearts, then worldly wisdom and philosophical ideas are exposed as false and cheap. Discouragement and discord are the devil's tools. When Christ dwells in our hearts, we are encouraged in heart and united in love.

2. That no one may deceive you (4-5)

Fine-sounding arguments may be very convincing, but we must never be deceived by words. Paul could not visit the Christians in Colosse, but he knew that Christ would protect them if they put his word in their hearts and loved one another.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, come and dwell in my heart. Help me to know you and know your heart for the world. Help me to love all of God's people.

One Word: Christ, our treasure and real wisdom