Colossians 2:19
and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "increase of God" isn't just about growing larger numerically; it's about a profound, God-sourced growth within the church, a deep-rooted development that only happens when every part remains directly connected to Christ, the Head. This connection ensures that nourishment and unity flow directly from Him, not through intermediaries, leading to a healthy, God-given maturity.
The Apostle Paul is warning the Colossian church against false teachers who are subtly leading them away from Christ. These teachers, with their emphasis on ascetic practices, angel worship, and strict rules, are undermining Christ's supremacy and sufficiency. Paul argues that these external observances are merely shadows, and that true spiritual life and growth come only from holding fast to Christ, the Head of the church.
What happens when a body loses its head? It can't function, it can't grow, and it certainly can't survive. The Apostle Paul uses this vivid image to warn the Colossians about spiritual danger.
Paul warns against 'not holding fast to the Head.' In the context of Colossians, the 'Head' is clearly Jesus Christ. This isn't about a passive belief, but an active, determined 'holding on.' Those who were promoting self-imposed rules, angel worship, or other spiritual disciplines apart from Christ were essentially letting go of Him. True spiritual life and growth come only from Him, the Source.
Paul uses a powerful biological metaphor to describe the church. But what makes this body truly 'live' and 'grow' in a meaningful way?
The verse describes the body (the church) being 'nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments.' This imagery points to how Christ, as the Head, supplies everything the church needs to function and grow. The 'nourishment' and 'knitting together' don't come from external rules or intermediaries, but directly from Him. This growth isn't just about numbers, but a 'growth that is from God' – a spiritual, God-directed maturing that happens when we stay connected to Him.
Understand the original words
kephalen · Greek Noun
A title for Christ indicating His supreme authority, sovereignty, and role as the source of life and direction for the Church, which is His body.
The warning against 'not holding fast to the Head' directly combats the false teachings in Colossae that diminished Christ's unique role by introducing mediators like angels or adherence to human traditions.
c. AD 50-52
Paul Founds Church in Colossae
While Paul did not personally found the church in Colossae, Epaphras, a convert of Paul's, likely established it during Paul's extended stay in Ephesus. The church likely consisted of both Jewish and Gentile believers.
c. AD 60-62— this verse
Paul Writes Letter from Prison
Paul, imprisoned in Rome, writes the letter to the Colossians. He had heard from Epaphras about troubling false teachings arising in the church, which threatened to draw believers away from Christ.
c. AD 60-62
Emergence of Heretical Teachings
False teachers promoted a mixture of ideas, including elements of Jewish legalism (circumcision, food laws, holy days), speculative philosophy, and possibly angel worship. These teachings undermined the supremacy of Christ.
c. AD 60-62
Emphasis on Christ's Sufficiency
In response to these errors, Paul strongly affirms Christ's divine nature, His role as Creator and Sustainer, and His sufficiency as the Head of the Church. He warns against philosophies and traditions that obscure Christ's centrality.
This passage uses the same vivid imagery of the body being nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, emphasizing Christ as the source of growth and unity.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27This passage describes the church as the body of Christ, with each member having a vital role and needing to be connected to the whole, highlighting the interdependence that stems from Christ.
John 15:4-5Jesus speaks about remaining in Him and His words remaining in us, explaining that apart from Him, we can do nothing, which powerfully illustrates the principle of deriving life and growth from the 'Head'.
Colossians 1:18This verse directly states that Christ is the head of the body, the church, and establishes Him as the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, reinforcing His supreme authority and centrality.
henryColossians 2:18-23: "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,"
2:18-23 It looked like humility to apply to angels, as if men were conscious of their unworthiness to speak directly to God. But it is not warrantable; it is taking that honour which is due to Christ only, and giving it to a creature. There really was pride in this seeming humility. Those who wors…
barnesColossians 2:19: "And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God."
And not holding the Head - Not holding the true doctrine respecting the Great Head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ; Notes, Ephesians 1:22 . This is regarded here as essential to the maintenance of all the other doctrines of religion. He who has just views of the Redeemer will not be in much danger of erring respectin…
The phrase "increase of God" isn't just about growing larger numerically; it's about a profound, God-sourced growth within the church, a deep-rooted development that only happens when every part remains directly connected to Christ, the Head. This connection ensures that nourishment and unity flow directly from Him, not through intermediaries, leading to a healthy, God-given maturity.
The Apostle Paul is warning the Colossian church against false teachers who are subtly leading them away from Christ. These teachers, with their emphasis on ascetic practices, angel worship, and strict rules, are undermining Christ's supremacy and sufficiency. Paul argues that these external observances are merely shadows, and that true spiritual life and growth come only from holding fast to Christ, the Head of the church.
The Apostle Paul is warning the Colossian church against false teachers who are subtly leading them away from Christ. These teachers, with their emphasis on ascetic practices, angel worship, and strict rules, are undermining Christ's supremacy and sufficiency. Paul argues that these external observances are merely shadows, and that true spiritual life and growth come only from holding fast to Christ, the Head of the church.
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"and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God." — The phrase "increase of God" isn't just about growing larger numerically; it's about a profound, God-sourced growth within the church, a deep-rooted development that only happens when every part rema…
