background image
fulfil the law, but we can, because of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:15
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of
them openly, triumphing over them in it.
The Apostle here mentions two of the nine known ranks of Angels. Of course, the angels here
mentioned are demons. There are ranks of good and bad angels, among whom are
Á-°principalities and powersÁ-?. The know angelic ranks are Cherubim, Seraphim, Thrones,
Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels and Angels.
Colossians 2:18
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,
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.
The Apostle is addressing a heresy, described by St John Chrysostom: Á-°
There are some who
maintain that we must be brought near by Angels, not by Christ, that were too great a
thing for us
Á-?
(Homily VI, on Colossians ii. 6, 7,
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.iv.iv.vi.html
)
The sectarians of our age use verses like this to falsely label asking for the intercession of angels and saints as idolatrous. We only worship
God, and God has sent forth His angels to help us. We each have a guardian angel which was mentioned by Christ: Á-°Take heed that ye
despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in
heaven.Á-? (Mat 18:10) Since scripture is replete with examples of the help of angels, and we each have a guardian angel, it makes no sense
whatsoever that we would be unable to, or forbidden to ask for their help.
Sectarians truly get the scripture wrong, over and over, because they do not read it with the mind of Christ, which is only in the church.
Dear reader, you may gain this mind by cleaving to the church, with fasting and prayer, and effort. Wisdom will come to you if you struggle.
Without struggle in spirit and truth, all the sayings of the scripture are closed to the mind of man.
Bibliography
St John Chrysostom, Homily VI, on Colossians ii. 6, 7,
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.iv.iv.vi.html
The Explanation of the Holy Gospel according to St Luke, by Blessed Theophylact, published by
Chrysostom Press -
http://www.chrysostompress.org/
. ALL FOUR BOOKS ARE HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED!
Priest Seraphim Oct 28/Nov 10 2008.
St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas
http://www.orthodox.net/scripture/22nd-week-after-pentecost_monday_colossians2;13-20+luke9;18-22.rtf
http://www.orthodox.net/scripture/22nd-week-after-pentecost_monday_colossians2;13-20+luke9;18-22.pdf
New commentaries are posted on our BLOG:
http://www/.orthodox.net/redeemingthetime
Archive of: commentaries
:
http://www.orthodox.net/scripture