Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Original Language Analysis
μή
lest
G3361
μή
lest
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
2 of 27
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συλαγωγῶν
G4812
διὰ
through
G1223
διὰ
through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
8 of 27
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φιλοσοφίας
philosophy
G5385
φιλοσοφίας
philosophy
Strong's:
G5385
Word #:
10 of 27
"philosophy", i.e., (specially), jewish sophistry
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
14 of 27
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παράδοσιν
the tradition
G3862
παράδοσιν
the tradition
Strong's:
G3862
Word #:
16 of 27
transmission, i.e., (concretely) a precept; specially, the jewish traditionary law
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
19 of 27
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στοιχεῖα
the rudiments
G4747
στοιχεῖα
the rudiments
Strong's:
G4747
Word #:
21 of 27
something orderly in arrangement, i.e., (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμου
of the world
G2889
κόσμου
of the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
23 of 27
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
1 Timothy 6:20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:Ephesians 5:6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.Matthew 7:15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Galatians 4:9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?Colossians 2:20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,Jeremiah 29:8For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.2 Timothy 3:13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.Hebrews 13:9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.Galatians 4:3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:2 Peter 3:17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
Historical Context
Greek philosophy dominated intellectual culture, divided into schools claiming paths to wisdom and virtue. Hellenistic Judaism tried synthesizing Jewish faith with Greek philosophy (Philo of Alexandria exemplifies this). The Colossian heresy apparently combined philosophical speculation with Jewish legalism and mysticism. Paul categorically rejects such synthesis: wisdom comes from Christ, not human philosophical traditions, however sophisticated.
Questions for Reflection
- What philosophical ideas have you absorbed from culture and integrated into Christianity without biblical warrant?
- How do you distinguish between legitimate Christian thinking and 'philosophy after the tradition of men'?
- What contemporary teachings present human wisdom as spiritual advancement beyond simple faith in Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Paul issues direct warning using blepete (βλέπετε, "beware/watch out"), commanding vigilant alertness. "Spoil" (sylagōgōn, συλαγωγῶν) means plunder or kidnap, depicting false teachers as raiders carrying off captives. The Colossians face spiritual robbery, not mere intellectual disagreement.
The threat comes through "philosophy" (philosophias, φιλοσοφίας)—Paul's only NT use of this term. He doesn't condemn all philosophical thinking but specific philosophy described as "vain deceit" (kenēs apatēs, κενῆς ἀπάτης), empty deception. It follows "tradition of men" (human invention, not divine revelation) and "rudiments of the world" (stoicheia tou kosmou, στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου)—either elementary principles or spiritual powers, possibly both. Such teaching originates in worldly thinking, "not after Christ."