Verse 2 mystery of God The "mystery of God" is Christ, as incarnating the fulness of the Godhead, and all the divine wisdom and knowledge for the redemption and reconciliation of man. mystery (See Scofield "Matthew 13:11") . and of The best authorities omit "and of the Father, and of Christ." Verse 8 world kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Matthew 4:8") . Verse 11 the sins of Omit "the sins of." Verse 18 intruding into those things The errorists against whom Paul warns the Colossians, and against whom, in principle, the warning has perpetual significance, were called "Gnostics," from gnosis, "knowledge." These Gnostics "came most keenly into conflict with the exalted rank and redeeming rank of Christ, to whom they did not leave His full divine dignity, but assigned to Him merely the highest rank in the order of spirits, while they exalted angels as concerned in bringing the Messianic salvation."--H.A.W. Meyer. Paul's characteristic word in Colossians for the divine revelation is epignosis, i.e. "full knowledge." Colossians 1:9,10; 3:10 as against the pretended "knowledge" of the errorists. The warnings apply to all extra-biblical forms, doctrines, and customs, and to all ascetic practices. angels (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4") . Verse 20 world kosmos = world-system. James 1:27; John 7:7. (See Scofield "Revelation 13:8") . Verse 23 not in any Or, "which do not really honour God, but only satisfy the flesh" (i.e. by creating a reputation for superior sanctity).