Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of man, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
a. YLT: See that no one shall be carrying you away as spoil through the philosophy and vain deceit, according to the deliverance of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ,
b. RSV: See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ.
c. ASV: Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:
d. Darby Translation: See that there be no one who shall lead you away as a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.
1. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit…”
a. Beware [991 * blepo] [Strong: a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.]
b. lest [3361 * me] [Strong: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]
c. any man [5100 * tis] [Strong: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).]
d. spoil [Two Greek words] [2071 * esomai] [Strong: future of 1510; will be:--shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.] & [4812 * sulagogeo; sulao-to strip, rob; ago-to carry away.] [Strong: from the base of 4813 and (the reduplicated form of) 71; to lead away as booty, i.e. (figuratively) seduce:--spoil.] [Zodhiates: To lead off as prey, carry off as booty, rob, or kidnap. Figuratively, of the destructive effects of false teachers who rob believers of the complete riches available in Christ and revealed in the gospel.]
e. you [5209 * humas] [Strong: accusative case of 5210; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).]
f. through [1223 * dia] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]
g. philosophy [5385 * philosophia] [Strong: from 5386; "philosophy", i.e. (specially), Jewish sophistry:--philosophy.] [Zodhiates: Love of wisdom, philosophy, which came to mean the doctrine or tenants of the heathen or Gentile philosophers.]
h. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]
i. vain [2756 * kenos] [Strong: apparently a primary word; empty (literally or figuratively):--empty, (in) vain.]
j. deceit [539 * apate] [Zodhiates: Deceit, delusion…spoken of anything that is deceptive or seducing.]
1). Mankind can and has been taken captive by deceitful and deceptive philosophies. Evolution and Communism are examples. All the arguments defending same sex lust are to be included here also. Here though, Paul is warning us not to be deceived, beguiled, or taken captive by a deceitful philosophy that is described further in the verse.
2). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 8/2/14 It is bound to be significant that, in the only place where the Scriptures even mention philosophy, we are warned to beware of it! Likewise, the only philosophers mentioned were evolutionary humanists who called the apostle Paul a “babbler . . . because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18). The word “philosophy” literally means “love of wisdom,” and every philosophy—ancient or modern—is essentially a humanistic devotion to man’s wisdom for its own sake. But such wisdom is false wisdom. It derives in type from “the tree of knowledge,” through the “vain deceit” of Satan, who tries to persuade us that partaking of it would “make one wise” and that “your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods” (Genesis 2:17; 3:5-6). It has “indeed a shew of wisdom” (Colossians 2:23), but “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19), and eventually all “the wisdom of this world…[and] of the princes of this world . . . [will] come to nought” (1 Corinthians 2:6). Genuine wisdom, on the other hand, is as our text reminds us, “after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:8-10). For in Him “are hid [literally ‘stored up’] all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). The Lord Jesus Christ is “the truth” (John14:6), and is both “the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24). This true wisdom is freely available to all who desire it. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God . . . and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). Therefore, we need never waste our God-given time on human philosophy. HMM
2. “…after the tradition of man…”
a. after [2596 * kata] [Strong: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]
b. the tradition [3862 * paradosis] [Strong: from 3860; transmission, i.e. (concretely) a precept; specially, the Jewish traditionary law:--ordinance, tradition.] [Zodhiates: A tradition, doctrine or injunction delivered or communicated from one to another, whether divine or human.] [D.C. Note: In Colossians 2:8 the origin of this tradition is clearly men.]
c. of man [444 * Anthropos] [Strong: from 435 and ops (the countenance; from 3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.]
1). Tradition of man also includes religious tradition. The Catholic tradition cited below which is only of man has deceived and spoiled millions and taken them captive through vain deceit, it is not after Christ.
a). Documents of Vatican II: “Consequently, it is not from sacred Scripture alone that the Church draws her certainty about everything which has been revealed. Therefore both sacred tradition and sacred Scripture are to be accepted and venerated with the same sense of devotion and reverence…Sacred tradition and sacred Scripture from one sacred deposit of the word of God, which is committed to the Church. Holding fast to this deposit, the entire holy people united with their shepherds remain always steadfast in the teaching of the apostles…”
3. “…after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
a. after [2596 * kata] [Strong: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]
b. the rudiments [4747 * stoicheion] [Strong: neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of 4748; something orderly in arrangement, i.e. (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively):--element, principle, rudiment.]
c. of the world [2889 * kosmos] [Strong: probably from the base of 2865; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):--adorning, world.
d. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]
e. not [3756 * ou] [Strong: also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]
f. after [2596 * kata] [Strong: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]
g. Christ [5547 * Christos] [Strong: from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.]
1). This includes any knowledge that is contrary the knowledge of God or of Christ. This is why we need to bring our thoughts in subjection to the Word of God.
a). 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2). The word of god must be the final authority in our lives, not man’s philosophy, not man’s tradition, not man’s religion.
a). Romans 3:3, 4 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
b). What Romans 3:3 is saying is the unbelief of some will not make the faithfulness of God toward those who do believe of none effect. God will be faithful to His word toward those who do believe. In Romans 3:4 he begins by emphasizing what he stated in the previous verse. He then goes on to say that as for the believer our attitude should be, we are to consider God’s word to be true and every man who disputes what God has said to be a liar. When a believer is faced with God’s word on one hand and the word of man on the other, we as believers are to JUDGE God’s word to be correct and to hold the correct opinion when compared with the word of men. As believers, God’s word must be the final authority in our lives.
(1) Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
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