PAUL AS TEACHER IN COLOSSIANS 2

In Colossians chapter 2, the Apostle Paul continues the education motif he introduced in the first chapter.

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

Like any capable teacher, Paul is burdened with a great desire to see his students grab hold of knowledge.

Here, understanding brings the benefit of assurance, in fact "all the riches of full assurance". And the focus of knowledge is "God's mystery", namely Christ Himself.

And again, as in Chapter 1, knowledge begets knowledge. When one gets to know Christ, he or she soon discovers "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge"! 

But this treasury is in competition with false knowledge - what Paul refers to as "plausible arguments" which lead one away from true knowledge. 

As an effective teacher, Paul is aware of competing ideas and viewpoints. And he knows the competition can capture and deceive. 

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

He continues by encouraging his listeners to follow through with what they have already been taught and then reminds them of their own responsibility. Yes, their teacher is aware of competing ideas, but they also must actively guard against worldly forms of knowledge that run contrary to Christ. 

You've probably heard this truism before, but it is fundamental (but easily forgotten in the pulpit): The effective teacher doesn't just tell students WHAT to think. The effective teacher shows them HOW to think.