This week as we continue on in Chapter 2 of Colossians, we run into a word which requires a little bit of defining since it “can” be difficult to translate, especially if you allow your theological bias to influence your judgment.

The key Greek word is katabrabeuō and can be translated in various ways, the two primary ones being condemn, which carries the notion of someone passing judgment on you OR disqualifying.

Given the purpose and overall content of the letter, the context of the statement plus the fact that what was at stake was the continuation in faith of these believers in Jesus alone for salvation – the word cannot be concerned with the judgment of false teachers. No, the word MUST be disqualified. Paul is setting the metaphorical tone of a race or competition. As such, the “race” in question is something you could be disqualified from, and therefore lose your stake in the reward or prize.

But what could Paul be referring to, that these Colossians could be disqualified from, if they forsook Christ and embraced another Gospel, but their very relationship with the Father through Christ!

This is why Paul makes MUCH of the supremacy of Christ. Being IN Christ and the need to continue in their faith steadfast and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel until the end!

This lesson is a little more bogged down due to the need to focus on details in the text, but I hope it will aid you in your understanding of both Colossians and the Gospel of our Lord.