Study Guide: Colossians 1:24-2:5
*This study guide can be used in conjunction with the message preached on February 1, 2026 during the series Jesus >.
Pray
Before you read the text, ask God to help you see how Christ is actually present in your life right now, and ask for His strength to carry you through your day so you don't have to rely on your own strength. Ask the Holy Spirit to settle your heart as you process today’s reading.
Read
Colossians 1:24-2:5
Observe
v. 24 | Finding Purpose in the Struggle
Even though Paul was sitting in a cold Roman jail cell when he wrote this, he says he is happy to suffer for the people he’s writing to. It’s a bit of a mind-bender, but he realizes that his pain isn’t pointless; it’s helping the "body" of the church grow. When he talks about "filling up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions," he isn't saying that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross wasn't enough to save us. Instead, he means that Jesus’ work on earth continues through us. Just as Jesus suffered to reach people, Paul suffers as he represents Jesus to the world. Unlike people who try to become "holy" by just focusing on themselves, Paul found that true spiritual growth happens when you stop obsessing over your own life and start living for others.
vv. 25-26 | Sharing God’s Long-Awaited Secret
Paul views himself as a servant of the church, which means his "job" wasn't something he picked out for himself—God gave him a "commission" to present the word of God in its fullness. His specific mission was to reveal a "mystery." In the Bible, a mystery isn't like a riddle you solve with logic; it’s a truth that stays hidden until God decides to flip the switch and show it to His people. For centuries, people didn't fully see the big picture of God's plan, but now it has been "disclosed to the Lord’s people."
v. 27 | The Reality of Christ Living Within You
Here is the "spoiler" for the mystery: Christ in you, the hope of glory. For a long time, the idea that the Creator of the universe would actually live inside regular, everyday people—including non-Jewish people—was unheard of. Paul calls this "glorious riches" because it changes everything. Your hope for a great future or a "glorious" life doesn't depend on how hard you work or how religious you act. It depends entirely on the fact that Jesus is living in you right now. He is the "revealed God" who is no longer a distant secret but a personal reality.
vv. 28-29 | Working Hard Through God's Power
This realization defines Paul’s entire life motto: "He is the one we proclaim," and he wants to help everyone grow up spiritually. He doesn't just want to give people "feel-good" stories; he wants to "admonish" and teach with all wisdom. His goal is to see every person become "mature in Christ," so they aren't dependent on him, but on Jesus. You can see his work ethic here, too—he’s "strenuously contending" like an athlete in a high-stakes game. But the secret is that he isn't running on his own adrenaline; he’s fueled by Christ’s energy "powerfully working" within him.
v. 1 | Caring for People You've Never Met
Paul wants the Colossians to know that even though they’ve never met him in person, he is "strenuously contending" for them. He uses words that describe a mental and spiritual tug-of-war. He’s deeply concerned for these people he’s never even seen, which shows that his authority and love aren't limited by distance. It’s a reminder that even when we feel alone, there is a larger community of faith rooting for us and "battling" for our spiritual health.
vv. 2-3 | Building Strong Hearts and United Friendships
Paul’s main goal in this "fight" is for your heart to be "encouraged" and for you to be "joined together" with others in love. He knows that when we get discouraged or lonely, we become easy targets for bad advice or negative thoughts. He wants you to have the "full riches of complete understanding" that comes from really knowing God. He describes Christ as the place where all the "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" are hidden. You don't have to look for "secret" spiritual hacks; everything you actually need to navigate life is stored in your relationship with Christ.
v. 4 | Staying Alert Against Smooth Talkers
He gives a serious warning here: don't let people trick you with "fine-sounding arguments." There are always going to be people who sound really smart or persuasive but are actually leading you away from the simple truth of Jesus. They might not look like "liars," but they can be deceptive because their ideas sound almost right. Paul wants you to be on guard so you don't get "deceived" by someone’s clever words.
v. 5 | Staying Grounded and Growing in Faith
Finally, Paul wraps up this section with a vote of confidence. Even though he’s miles away, he feels like he’s right there with them in spirit. He’s happy to see how "orderly" they are and how "firm" their faith in Christ remains. His message is that if you stay disciplined and keep your focus on Jesus, you can stand your ground against anything that tries to pull you away.
Credit: Guzik, David. “Colossians 1 - The Greatness of Jesus Christ.” Enduring Word, n.d., https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/colossians-1. Guzik, David. “Colossians 2 - Answering the Colossian Heresy.” Enduring Word, n.d., https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/colossians-2.
Application
1. Shift Your Energy Source
In verse 1:29, Paul speaks of "strenuously contending" with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in him. In the professional and domestic world, it is incredibly easy to fall into the trap of "performative busyness," where we measure our worth by our level of exhaustion. This application challenges you to audit your current stressors—whether it's a high-pressure project, a difficult season of parenting, or financial anxiety—and stop trying to "white-knuckle" your way through. Instead of relying on your own dwindling willpower, practice a conscious dependence on the indwelling Spirit, asking God to fuel your labor so that you are working from a state of grace rather than striving for a sense of security.
2. Guard Your Mind Against "Fine-Sounding Arguments"
Paul’s warning in verse 2:4 about being "deceived by fine-sounding arguments" is highly relevant in an age of constant digital noise and conflicting cultural philosophies. As adults, we are often tempted by "sophisticated" worldviews that suggest our peace is found in political victories, financial independence, or self-actualization. These arguments are often persuasive because they contain a grain of truth, but they ultimately distract from the "treasures of wisdom" found only in Christ. This application calls for spiritual discernment: whenever you feel a pull toward a new "solution" for your life's problems, evaluate whether it centers on Christ’s presence or if it is a deceptive substitute that promises a peace it cannot actually deliver.
3. Seek Unity Through the "Mystery"
The "mystery" Paul describes in verse 1:27 and 2:2 is that Christ indwells a diverse body of believers, intending for them to be "joined together in love." In a polarized society where we tend to retreat into echo chambers, this is a call to radical community. This application requires you to look past the political, social, or personality differences that might cause friction between you and others in your church or workplace. If the "hope of glory" lives within your neighbor, you have a mandate to be "knit together" with them. Look for an opportunity this week to move toward someone you find difficult or different, acknowledging that your shared identity in Christ is more substantial than any earthly division.
Pray (ACTS)
What is the ACTS prayer model?
A - Praise God for the “glorious riches” and wisdom that are found in Christ.
C - Confess that at times you “strain” in your own strength rather than relying on God’s strength with you.
T - Thank God for the incredible reality of Christ within you.
S - Ask the Holy Spirit for help to be “knit together” in love so that you won’t be deceived by fine-sounding arguments.
Discuss
Questions for personal reflection, spiritual insight, or group interaction.
Paul says he "rejoices" in his sufferings for the sake of the church (1:24). How does his perspective challenge the way you view the personal "afflictions" or hardships you face in your own life?
Verse 1:24 mentions "filling up" what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. This doesn't mean Christ's sacrifice was incomplete, but what does it tell you about Jesus' ongoing relationship with the suffering of His people today?
In verse 1:29, Paul describes himself as "strenuously contending" while relying on Christ’s power. How can you tell the difference between working for God in your own strength and working with God through His strength?
How should the reality of Jesus actually dwelling inside you change your confidence level when facing difficult circumstances this week?
Paul emphasizes that he is teaching and warning "everyone" so that "everyone" may be mature (1:28). How does this counter the idea that deep spiritual wisdom is only for "super-christians" or professional ministers?
Paul's ultimate goal is to present people "mature in Christ" (1:28). What are the specific markers of spiritual maturity you are currently asking God to develop in your own character?
Paul mentions his "great conflict" for people he has never even met face-to-face (2:1). Who are the people "outside your circle" that God might be calling you to pray for or support "strenuously"?
Why do you think Paul links "encouraged hearts" so closely with the ability to resist "fine-sounding arguments" (2:2-4)?
The text speaks of being "joined together in love" to reach full understanding (2:2). In what ways has your relationship with other believers helped you understand God better than you could have on your own?
If all the "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" are hidden in Christ (2:3), what are some "counterfeit treasures" you are tempted to look toward for guidance or satisfaction?
What are some "fine-sounding arguments" in our modern culture that look like wisdom but actually move people away from a simple, firm faith in Jesus (2:4)?
Paul rejoices in the "orderly" and "firm" faith of the Colossians (2:5). If your spiritual life were compared to a military line, where do you feel the "line" is strongest, and where do you feel it is currently under the most pressure?
Memory Verse
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” - Colossians 1:27
Resources for Further Study of Colossians: