Sufficiency of Christ for Communal Identity Formation and PracticeColossians 2 20 3 17
Sufficiency of Christ for Communal Identity Formation and Practice Colossians 2:20-3:17 This passage is found in an epistles that claims to be written by Paul. ... In this passage Paul, weaves baptism, resurrection, and the sufficiency of Christ language into a reasoned argument against teachings that had impressed the Colossians. Though this teaching was directed against the deception of specific “plausible teachings” (2:4) being propagated at the time, it does offer general principles for Christian communities striving to define their Christianity in light of the physically departed Christ, competing faith claims, and cultural norms and standards. In 2:20-23 Paul continues his crucifixion/resurrection discussion from the beginning of chapter 2 in order to level an argument against a form of asceticism. ... In Galatians 2:21 Paul makes a simple and bold claim: if justification/righteousness comes from the law then Christ’s death was in vain. In the regulations against food put forth by the false teachers, Paul hears a call for legalistic spirituality that will somehow qualify the believer more than faith in Christ’s sacrifice would. ... Yet, just below the surface it can be seen that Paul also seeks to discredit the notion that any type of ritualism will gain any better standing before God than what is enjoyed in the “person and work” of Jesus Christ. Paul’s question in 20 is not about whether or not believers have died with Christ, he has already discussed that concept(2:12). ... While the discussion prior to 3:5 described the realities of being Christian, 3:5 begins exhortations to live the Christian reality through certain behaviors. ... Having already used this language in a more explicit way in chapter 2, Paul now utilizes more subtle, for the modern reader, baptism imagery. ... This symbolic renewal (10) in the image of God should result in new ethical (9-10;12-15), social(11), and cultic concerns(16-17). ... The central focus of this epistle is Paul’s call to Christians for having faith in the sufficiency of Christ. ... In 3:17 Paul exhorts the Colossians to do everything, whatever it might be, in the name of Jesus.