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Be careful that you don`t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.

Verse Takeaways

1

Christ is the Standard

Paul warns against being spiritually "taken captive" by philosophies that seem wise but are human inventions. Commentators stress that Paul isn't condemning all learning, but any system of thought that isn't measured by Christ. As A.T. Robertson notes, the false teachers measured Christ by their philosophy, but it should be the other way around. Christ is the ultimate standard for all truth.

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Book Overview

Colossians

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Commentaries

11

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Colossians 2:8

18th Century

Theologian

Beware lest any man spoil you. The word spoil now commonly means to corrupt, to cause to decay and perish, as fruit is s…

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On Colossians 2:8

Take heed (βλεπετε). Present active imperative second person plural of βλεπω, common verb for warning like our "look out," "beware…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Colossians 2:8

19th Century

Bishop

Spoil you.—Properly, to lead you away as a spoil, triumph over you as a captive, and make you a slave. Compare Paul’s lan…

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Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On Colossians 2:8

19th Century

Preacher

Beware lest any man spoil you

Or, "rob you."

Through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the ru…

Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On Colossians 2:8

Paul first warns against the danger of being taken captive through a false philosophy. The singular “no one” suggests that Paul may have had a part…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Colossians 2:8

16th Century

Theologian

Beware lest any one plunder you. He again instructs them about the poison, which the antidote he presented should counteract. For although…

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John Gill

John Gill

On Colossians 2:8

17th Century

Pastor

Beware lest any man spoil you

Or despoil you; rob you of the rich treasure of the Gospel, strip you of your spirit…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Colossians 2:8–17

17th Century

Minister

There is a philosophy that rightly exercises our reasonable faculties: a study of the works of God, which leads us to the knowledge of God and conf…