Here we find another of Paul's interesting epistles. One of the unusual and interesting things we find is the consistent use of the word "in" or some variation of it. This word is used approximately 95 times in these 4 chapters. Again this is one of the patterns that is most evident in the King James version and we believe there's a reason for such concentrated use of the word. One of the major themes throughout the book is the Lordship of Jesus Christ (his absolute right to rule in every aspect of our lives and all world events). Keeping in mind that one of his major names is the Word of God we find that if we are totally immersed in him we can find the peace, joy, strength, ability, and all other necessary qualities we need to perform the task he gives us. As we proceed in our study use your own powers of observation in relation to the words in and Lord or their variations . The author's intent becomes apparent as we go along and probably requires very little in comment on our part

(chpt:  1 Vs: 001)  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 002)  To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

In verse 3 Paul says he has been praying for these people consistently since he had heard of their faith.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 003)  We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 004)  Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 005)  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 006)  Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 007)  As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 008)  Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 

Verses 9 through 13 are what Paul is praying for these people.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 009)  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 010)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 011)  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 012)  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 013)  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 

Verses 14 through 17 speaks of the supremacy of Christ Jesus in all things. We are told first that we have forgiveness and redemption from sin through his blood. Next we are told that he is the creator of everything in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible, all authorities, and everything you can name are created by him and for him

(chpt:  1 Vs: 014)  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 015)  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 016)  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 017)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 

Verse 18 tells us again that he is the head of the church which is a body of Christ.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 018)  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 

The rest of this chapter continues with Paul's encouragement of the people.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 019)  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 020)  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 021)  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 022)  In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 023)  If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 024)  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 025)  Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 026)  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 027)  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 028)  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 029)  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 001)  For 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; 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 002)  That 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; 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 003)  In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

Beginning in verse 4 Paul speaks out against false teaching that apparently has come into the church to some extent. He continues to set some guidelines in choosing teachers and warning against the attitudes of some as in verse 8.

(chpt:  2 Vs: 004)  And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 005)  For 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. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 006)  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 007)  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 008)  Beware 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. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 009)  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 010)  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 011)  In 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: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 012)  Buried 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. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 013)  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 014)  Blotting 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; 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 015)  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 016)  Let 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: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 017)  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 018)  Let 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, 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 019)  And 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. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 020)  Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 021)  (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 

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