Beware of the Philosophy of Colossians
Let’s take a look at
Colossians
· Small City 100 miles east of Ephesus
· Once was a strong city, famous for black glossy wool.
· By the time of letter decreasing in value due to Ladiosence and Hierapolis neighbouring cities.
· Small didn’t have influence on churches. --- Similar to where we are now. Big difference was still growing.
· Started by epapfras
· Lost of traditions in this city,
· Greek – Greek goddesses,
· Jewish- legalism and
· Oriental mysticism, which had low view of the body.
· Worshipping angels as intermediates and spirits.
· Epapfras visit prompted this letter from Paul to strengthen the church
Let us today draw strength from it
Colossians 2: 1 – 12
1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and F5 of Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.
5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it F6 with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins F7 of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
"Beware means Greek – blepete – be constantly looking out –
Lest there shall be (as I fear there is) any man (pointing to some known emissary of evil,
Galatians 1:7 “ But there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ”) leading you away as his spoil through his philosophy,"
Two things to look out for:
· Philosophy and misleading,
· According to the tradition of men,
· According to the basic principles of the world, not according to Christ.
Tradition:
Judaic-oriental heretics at Colosse, which afterwards was developed into Gnosticism.
Tradition of men-- Applied to Rabbinical traditions,
Mark 7:8. Read -- "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men*--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
We love our Traditions!
Basic principals of the world:
This is the ways contrary to the Word of God.
This is where they wanted to combine Bible Christianity with Psychology. Can’t do that Read!!!
He wants us to be beware of that but encourages us
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and F5 of Christ,
Encourage, with Love
5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
We need to stay steadfast
6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it F6 with thanksgiving.
Psalm 1 let us be like a tree that is planted by the water
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power
We are complete in Him, Power over all powers
