What had Paul already shown about Jesus before Colossians 2:8?
Before Colossians 2:8, Paul had already shown that Jesus is king, that he was the servant, and that he became a man. These prior teachings establish Christ's identity before Paul's warning against philosophy and tradition, preparing for the declaration of His deity.
Les explains that prior to Colossians 2:8, Paul had already shown Jesus as king, servant, and one who became a man. In the context, Les points out that Colossians 2:8 warns against being spoiled through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men and the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Then verse 9 declares that in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, confirming He was verily God according to Paul. Les also connects this to verse 13, where the believer, dead in sins and the uncircumcision of the flesh, is quickened and forgiven all trespasses, which only God can do, thus confirming Christ's deity. So the earlier revelations of Jesus as king, servant, and man set the stage for Paul's later affirmation of His full deity and power to forgive.