Colossians Chapter 2 - Listen & Read Online

Updated on October 1, 2026

Read Colossians Chapter 2

1For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

11In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

18Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

21(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

You are readingKing James Version

Explanation

Colossians 2

In short

Paul writes to Christians he has never met in person to strengthen their faith in Christ. He warns them against false teachers who promote human ideas, strict rules about food and holidays, and angel worship instead of trusting in Christ alone, who holds all wisdom and is complete in himself.

What the text says

Verses 1-3: Paul tells the Colossians and nearby Laodiceans that he struggles and cares deeply for them even though he has not seen them face to face. He wants their hearts encouraged and united in love, with full confidence in understanding "the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ" (2:2). All treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ.

Verses 4-7: Paul cautions them not to be fooled by persuasive but empty arguments. Though absent in body, he rejoices in their orderly faith and steadfastness. They received Christ as Lord, so they should continue walking in him, growing strong in faith and giving thanks.

Verses 8-12: Paul warns them to beware of "philosophy and vain deceit" based on human tradition and worldly ideas rather than Christ. In Christ lives the fullness of God in bodily form. Christians are complete in him; they are circumcised spiritually and buried with him in baptism, rising with him through faith and God's power.

Verses 13-15: God made believers alive with Christ, forgiving all their wrongs. He cancelled the written requirements against them by nailing them to Christ's cross. Christ defeated spiritual powers and displayed his triumph over them.

Verses 16-23: Paul instructs them not to let others judge them about food, drink, holidays, new moons, or sabbaths, which are shadows of things to come but the substance is Christ. Likewise, they should not accept false humility or angel worship from those claiming secret knowledge. Such rules appear wise but do not prevent the body's desires. Christians are dead with Christ to the world's basic rules, so why obey commands like "touch not, taste not, handle not" (2:21)? These perish with use and are merely human commandments.

Takeaways

Christ contains all wisdom and completeness; believers need not seek these elsewhere through false teachings or strict rules.
Spiritual rules about food, drink, and holy days were shadows pointing to Christ and no longer bind those who believe in him.
Christians are freed from regulations that claim to control the body but actually come from human ideas, not from God.