Colossians, Class 14

Colossians, Class 14 looks closely at verses 2:8-9. In prior verses, Paul focused on positively depicting the Colossian believers and their faithfulness. Here, he transitions to warning them against false teaching.
Jesus came to set captives free (Luke 4:18; Romans 7:6; Galatians 3:23), not to leave people in spiritual chains. Paul personally dealt with sin, seeking to make him captive (Romans 7:23), yet fought against every evil thought to make it captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
What could take the Colossians captive? Paul mentions "philosophy," which he means in a very specific sense. This is not a broad reference to all meanings of that term. The Bible's stance on deep thinking, logic, and philosophy-as-philosophy is very positive (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1; Proverbs 15:28). In this context, Paul condemns philosophy based on explicitly anti-Christian principles. In verse 4, he referred to these arguments as "deceptive," using a Greek term that implies trickery or cheating. In other words, actual critical thinking is not the problem. Self-deluding, worldly philosophical "tricks" are the problem (2 Timothy 3:7). The false teachers of Colossae are using these kinds of attacks against Christ.
Paul refers to "empty deceit," which includes hollow rhetoric or outright lies. "Elemental spirits," in this context, refer to the basic assumptions we use in our thinking (Galatians 4:3). If a person starts from a blatantly anti-spiritual standpoint, they will come to anti-spiritual conclusions. This, again, reminds us that fallen human wisdom can be at odds with Christ's teachings.
Paul also refers to "human tradition," reminding the reader that simply because an idea is preferred or historical does not make it true. The phrase in Greek is paradosin tōn anthrōpōn. This implies the laws, rules, or handed-down regulations of humanity. Paul wants the Colossians and all believers to focus on truth and Christ, not trickery and human preference.
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