YOU ARE COMPLETE IN CHRIST

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The book of Colossians offers profound insights into the Christian life, emphasizing the supremacy of Christ and the completeness we have in Him. In Colossians 2:8-13, Paul addresses a significant challenge faced by early believers: the dangers of false philosophy, deceptive teachings, and legalistic practices that seek to undermine the simplicity and sufficiency of Christ. As we unpack these verses, we will see how Paul encourages the Colossians—and us today—to hold fast to Christ, who is the fullness of God, and recognize the completeness we have in Him.

Colossians 2:8-13
“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.”

Paul begins with a strong warning:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 NASB)

The term “captive” here refers to being kidnapped or taken hostage, emphasizing the danger of being spiritually ensnared by false beliefs. In Paul’s time, as today, there were numerous philosophies and deceptive teachings that promised much but delivered nothing.

In today’s world, we encounter various forms of false teachings: Ponzi schemes, deceptive emails, or scams that try to steal our money or time. Spiritually speaking, the same can happen when we invest in baseless doctrines or practices. Just as people are kidnapped by empty promises like purgatory, indulgences, or seed tithes, they find themselves trapped in a system that offers no true freedom or spiritual growth. The deeper they go into these false teachings, the harder it becomes to escape.

Paul’s message is clear: Don’t be taken captive by hollow, worldly philosophies—they may look promising on the surface, but they are spiritually bankrupt.

Paul describes these false teachings as “empty deception”—a term that paints the picture of something large and promising, like a big soap sachet but only full of air. It appears to offer more than it delivers. Similarly, false teachings make grand promises but cannot fulfill the deep spiritual needs of a believer.

Philosophy, as Paul uses it here, comes from the Greek “philo” (love) and “sophia” (wisdom), meaning the love of wisdom. While the pursuit of wisdom is noble, Paul is referring to a worldly philosophy that is not rooted in Christ. Worldly wisdom leads people away from the truth of the gospel, whereas godly wisdom, as we will see, is found in the person of Christ.

Paul contrasts the wisdom of God with the wisdom of the world.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

God’s wisdom is found in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. To the Jews, the idea that the Messiah had to die on a cross was a stumbling block because they believed the Law could save them. To the Greeks, the message of the cross was foolishness because they valued intellectual philosophies and could not comprehend how the death of one man could bring salvation to humanity.

Yet, it is through this “foolishness” of preaching that God chose to reveal His wisdom. Christ crucified and resurrected is the power and wisdom of God. If we seek wisdom, it can only be found in Christ. As 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 states, Christ is our wisdom, our righteousness, and our redemption. He is our boast, and in Him, we find the fullness of God’s wisdom.

Paul continues in Colossians 2:9:
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

This is one of the clearest descriptions of Christ’s divinity. The Lord Jesus is not merely a representative of God or an intermediary; He is the fullness of God in bodily form. In Christ, we see the complete nature of God—His power, His wisdom, His love, and His authority. This verse dispels any confusion about the Logos, which some have mistakenly reduced to being just a part of God’s nature or the Son in a limited sense. Paul emphasizes that Christ is the embodiment of the fullness of God.

Not only is Christ the fullness of God, but Paul adds that believers are complete in Him:
“And in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” (Colossians 2:10)

This is a profound statement. If we are complete in Christ, what else could we possibly need? Everything we need is in Christ. Paul is directly confronting the legalistic tendencies of false teachers who say, “Do this” or “Do that” to achieve salvation or spiritual perfection. If Christ has made us complete, no ritual, philosophy, or additional work can add to what He has already done. Since God deals with man in grace at present, He does not need any work from man (Rom. 4:4).

This completeness means we have everything we need for life and godliness in Christ. Our sins are completely forgiven, our salvation is fully secured, and our relationship with God is fully restored. Why would we look to any other philosophy or religious practice when Christ has already given us all that we need?

Paul goes on to describe the spiritual circumcision that believers experience:
“In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.” (Colossians 2:11)

This spiritual circumcision is not a physical act but a cutting away of the sinful nature. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the desires of the flesh are put to death, and we are made new in Christ. This circumcision of the heart reflects the inward transformation that God works in the life of a believer.

Paul continues by reminding believers that they have been buried with Christ in baptism and raised to new life through faith:
“Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12)

While baptism symbolizes this spiritual reality, it is through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection that we are united with Him. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too are raised to new life in Him. Though we may still struggle with sin in our daily walk, our standing before God is secure—we are alive in Christ, no longer dead in our sins.

Finally, Paul declares the transformative power of God’s grace:
“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions.” (Colossians 2:13)

Before we came to Christ, we were spiritually dead, unable to contribute anything to our salvation. But God, in His mercy, made us alive in Christ. This is a work of grace, not something we earn or deserve. It is through Christ’s sacrifice that we are forgiven and brought into new life.

Paul’s message to the Colossians and to us today is clear: We are complete in Christ. We do not need to seek fulfillment in human philosophies, religious rituals, or legalistic practices. Christ has done it all. In Him, we have forgiveness, new life, and the fullness of God’s wisdom.

Let us beware of anything that seeks to take us captive through empty deception. Instead, let us hold fast to Christ, knowing that He is our wisdom, our righteousness, and our completeness. Rest in the truth that you are complete in Christ, and nothing more is needed.