Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

1:29 Paul is struggling with all his [that is, Christ's] energy to help them grow and mature in Christ.

2:1 for those at Laodicea. Laodicea (cf. Rev. 3:14-22) was the nearest city to Colossae, only 9 miles (14.5 km) away (see note on Rev. 3:14-22). There was a close relationship between these churches as well as with the church at Hierapolis (see Col. 4:13).

2:2 The false teachers presumably claimed access to the mysteries of God's truth, but Paul insists that Christ is God's mystery, and all understanding is to be found in him.

2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Anticipating what he will soon say about false sources of knowledge (vv. 4-23), Paul emphasizes that Christ is the ultimate storehouse of divine wisdom and spiritual knowledge. His language parallels what the OT says about wisdom (Prov. 2:3-6).