Paul would have the saints know what conflict in prayer he had for them that their hearts might be knit together in love and the full assurance of understanding and acknowledgment of the mystery of God.
In this mystery all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found, being to our souls the center and power of our life. These treasures are truth in contrast to man's cloudy imaginations inspired by the enemy.
One could be still holding the path of faith while the enemy was adding human philosophy to upset and turn the heart aside. The saints were to walk and to be rooted and confirmed in Christ in the truths in which they had been taught.
The teachings which follow are a development of what Christ is and the counsels of God connected with Him. Progress should be in the knowledge of Christ, the true Center and fullness.
In philosophy man naturally takes up with the religion of the flesh which is suited to its powers and tendencies.
The fullness of the Godhead dwells in a human body, in the person of Jesus Christ, and we are complete in Him.
Circumcision for us is putting off the body of the flesh which Christ did for us in death. Baptism is the symbol of it.
In Ephesians we are seen as seated in the heavenlies, but in Colossians we are seen as risen with Christ, but walking as pilgrims here on earth. We have a new standing out of the old into the new, out of the Adam life into Christ. Christ has borne all of the condemnation for us.
Colossians finds us alive in sins but brings in death and resurrection in Christ and with Him. The believer receives liberty as well as life and pardon.
All the ordinances and principalities and powers opposed to God or us were vanquished at the cross.
Paul counseled the saints that by bringing in angels as objects of homage, they would separate themselves from the Head of the body Who is above angels.
It was pride that brought in innovation, denying their union with Christ. One with Him, there could be nothing between Him and them.
Ordinances which apply to things which perish have indeed a semblance of humility and self-denial as regards the body, but they have no link with heaven, which is the sphere of the new life. They separate the believer from Christ by putting angels between the soul and Him.