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Orthodox readings for 14 January 2015

King James Version (en)

Colossians, Chapter 2,  verses 8-12

8 to beware of philosophy and vain traditions
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.
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 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:
12 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.
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2:8 Through philosophy and empty deceit - That is, through the empty deceit of philosophy blended with Christianity. This the apostle condemns,

  1. Because it was empty and deceitful, promising happiness,but giving none.
  2. Because it was grounded, not on solid reason, but thetraditions of men, Zeno, Epicurus, and the rest. And,
  3. Because it was so shallow and superficial, not advancingbeyond the knowledge of sensible things; no, not beyond the first rudiments of them.


2:9 For in him dwelleth - Inhabiteth, continually abideth, all thefulness of the Godhead. Believers are "filled with all the fulness of God," Eph 3:19.But in Christ dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead; the most full Godhead; not only divine powers, but divine nature, Col 1:19.Bodily - Personally, really, substantially. The very substance of God, if one might so speak, dwells in Christ in the most full sense.


2:10 And ye - Who believe. Are filled with him - Joh 1:16. Christ is filled with God, and ye arefilled with Christ. And ye are filled by him.The fulness of Christ overflows his church, Psa 133:3.He is originally full. We are filled by him with wisdom and holiness. Who is the head of all principality and power - Of angels as well as men Not from angels therefore, but from their head, are we to ask whatever we stand in need of.


2:11 By whom also ye have been circumcised - Ye have received the spiritual blessings typified of old by circumcision.With a circumcision not performed with hands - By an inward, spiritual operation. In putting off, not a little skin, but the whole body of the sins of the flesh - All the sins of your evil nature. By the circumcision of Christ - By that spiritual circumcision which Christ works in your heart.


2:12 Which he wrought in you, when ye were as it were buried with him in baptism - The ancient manner of baptizing by immersion is as manifestly alluded to here, as the other manner of baptizing by sprinkling or pouring of water is, Heb 10:22. But no stress is laid on the age of the baptized,or the manner of performing it, in one or the other; but only on our being risen with Christ, through the powerful operation of God in the soul; which we cannot but know assuredly, if it really is so: and if we do not experience this, our baptism has not answered the end of its institution. By which ye are also risen with him - From the death of sin to the life of holiness.It does not appear, that in all this St. Paul speaks of justification at all, but of sanctification altogether.


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Luke, Chapter 2,  verses 20-21, 40-52

13 many sing praises to God for it, 21 Christ is circumcised, 22 Mary purified, 28 Simeon and Anna prophesy of Christ, 40 who increaseth in wisdom, 46 questioneth in the temple with the doctors, 51 and is obedient to his parents
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
...
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Read more:Luke, Chapter 3
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2 


2:20 For all the things that they had heard - From Mary; as it was told them - By the angels.


2:21 To circumcise the child - That he might visibly be made under the law by a sacred rite, which obliged him to keep the whole law; as also that he might be owned to be the seed of Abraham, and might put an honour on the solemn dedication of children to God.


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