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NASB | 1 John 2:3 ¶ By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 2:3 ¶ And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings). |
Subject: abide |
Bible Note: Note 2 of 2 Col. 2:16-17 is placed within this argument and deserves its own paragraph. Verse 18 should not be attached to this section. There are three options to understanding vs. 16 and 17. 1) Therefore…don’t let anyone judge you because you ARE NOT following these laws: food, new moons, festivals, and Sabbath. 2) Therefore…don’t let anyone judge you because you ARE following these laws: … 3) Therefore…don’t let anyone judge you because of THE WAY in which you are following these laws. If there are other options, please let me know. These are the only three I can think up. The majority opinion is option 1. I can not conceive of how one arrives at this position as it is contrary to Scripture and does not fit the flow of the argument. Why would Paul spend such time demonstrating that the teachings and philosophies of this world based on human commands and false humility were defeated at the cross and then connect God’s Laws with those teachings. It’s a non sequitur. Further more, if Paul tells the church in Colosse to not let others (presumably Jewish bothers) judge them for not following the festivals because they are a “mere” shadow, then why does he in Acts 20:16 strive to arrive in Jerusalem to observe Passover, and why in 1 Corinthians 5:8 does he command the church to “keep the feast” of Passover? Option 2 may be attractive, but is unlikely as well. Of those within the community, it would be odd that some were following these commands of God and others were not. These commands listed, after all, were quite simple and non-offensive. While circumcision would be a major obstacle, even if it were not so connected with “works of the law”, these commands are rather assumed and easily implemented. Furthermore, to be judged because you WERE keeping some of God’s Laws is strange. Why would some in the church be accusative towards others for simply following God’s Laws even if they were deemed to be optional? Why would I accuse my parents for attending church twice on Sunday when clearly that is optional? I’d no more tell them they were wrong than to tell the members in Colosse that they should not follow God’s Laws. Option 3 is the most likely. After all we have ample evidence within Scripture that how one lives out these commands is a large inter-community debate. Imagine in your city all the different denominations. The chance of them agreeing enough to meet in one church is self-evident. They don’t now because of their differences. Now imagine members of these churches all being in one hostile location where there were so few that only one church could be formed. All of them in one body may agree to certain basics, but HOW to do it would be unique. When forced into a community like Colosse you don’t have a choice to divide into separate groups. Add to this that there are attacks both from outside and from within. You have people trying to spread obvious destructive false teachings. When we are fighting against these empty philosophies of men, are we going to waist our time judging one another on exactly how to observe good commands? “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by … how you observe.” If Paul meant to say, “Stop following the identity laws.” he could have said that clearly. Also, vs. 17 makes clear that these very things: food, festivals, new moon, and Sabbath, are shadows of Messiah. Earlier we see Paul stressing that Jesus had and has a genuine fleshly body. That body casts a shadow, and metaphorically these specific commands are a reflection of Him. They point to Him and help reveal Him. They certainly do not detract from him as if that would be possible. Therefore since we died with Christ, we have also died to those basic principles of THIS world. We ought not to have anything to do with those empty teachings which in reality are sin which lead to death. We died with Christ when we identified with him, and we therefore are no longer subject to the rules that lead to death. We are free to follow the Law of Righteousness as the Spirit, who writes the Torah on our heart, enables us. Since then (Col 3:1) you not only died with Christ by also have been raised to life with Christ, set your hearts on things above, not on earthly things. Death has been defeated and the sin that leads to death no longer has dominion over you. Finally, “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son.” Col. 1:13. Which Kingdom’s rules will we follow? MJH PS – Col 2 honestly doesn’t seem like an issue for me as much as it would be for you. I think it’s a strong argument for continuity just the way Paul wrote it. In truth, it should be you who tries to explain your views on this passage, something I’d like to read. |