Berean Standard Bible
Colossians 2:8
8See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
- English Standard Version (ESV)See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
- New King James Version (NKJV)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.
Context of Colossians 2:8
6Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, 7rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. 9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. 10And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Read all of Colossians 2Colossians 2:8 word by word
Βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς ἔσται ὁ συλαγωγῶν διὰ τῆς φιλοσοφίας καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστόν·Read the interlinear
- See to itβλέπωblepō · to seeG991
- that no oneμήmē · notG3361
- that no oneεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- that no oneτιςtis · oneG5100
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- takes you captiveσυλαγωγέωsulagōgeō · to captureG4812
- takes you captiveσύsu · youG4771
- throughδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- philosophyφιλοσοφίαphilosophia · philosophyG5385
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- emptyκενόςkenos · emptyG2756
- deceptionἀπάτηapatē · deceitG539
- which are based onκατάkata · according toG2596
- humanἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
- traditionπαράδοσιςparadosis · traditionG3862
- spiritual forcesστοιχεῖονstoicheion · principleG4747
- worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
- rather thanοὐou · noG3756
- ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
Cross-references for Colossians 2:8
- Deuteronomy 6:12be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
- Matthew 7:15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
- Matthew 10:17But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues.
- Matthew 16:6“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
- Philippians 3:2Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh!
- 2 Peter 3:17Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.
- Colossians 2:18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.
- Jeremiah 29:8For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.
- Romans 16:17Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.
- Ephesians 5:6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
- Hebrews 13:9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.
- 2 John 1:8Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
- Acts 17:18Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.
- Romans 1:21For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
- 1 Corinthians 1:19For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
Commentaries on Colossians 2:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Beware lest any man spoil you - The word , from , prey, and , to lead or carry away, signifies to rob, or spoil of their goods, as if by violence or rapine. Their goods were the salvation they had received from Christ; and both the Gentile and Jewish teachers endeavored to deprive them of these, by perverting their minds, and leading them off from the truths of Christianity. Philosophy and vain deceit - Or, the vain or empty deceit of philosophy; such…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Beware lest any man spoil you - The word “spoil” now commonly means, to corrupt, to cause to decay and perish, as fruit is spoiled by keeping too long, or paper by wetting, or hay by a long rain, or crops by mildew. But the Greek word used here means to spoil in the sense of plunder, rob, as when plunder is taken in war. The meaning is, “Take heed lest anyone plunder or rob you of your faith and hope by philosophy.” These false teachers would strip them…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-17Verses 8-17 There is a philosophy which rightly exercises our reasonable faculties; a study of the works of God, which leads us to the knowledge of God, and confirms our faith in him. But there is a philosophy which is vain and deceitful; and while it pleases men's fancies, hinders their faith: such are curious speculations about things above us, or no concern to us. Those who walk in the way of the world, are turned from following Christ. We have in Him…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8philosophy: The Greek word philosophia included everything from Plato's ideas about existence to religious teachings of false religions. Paul does not criticize philosophy itself, but only empty philosophical ideas that oppose the good news. the spiritual forces of the world (also in 2:20): This phrase might refer to basic teachings common in this world (see Hebrews 5:12), or to spiritual beings believed to have powerful influence over historical events…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. Translate, "Beware (literally, 'Look' well) lest there shall be (as I fear there is: the Greek indicative expresses this) any man (pointing to some known emissary of evil, Ga 1:7) leading you away as his spoil (not merely gaining spoil out of you, but making yourselves his spoil) through (by means of) his philosophy," &c. The apostle does not condemn all philosophy, but "the philosophy" (so Greek) of the Judaic-oriental heretics at Colosse, which…Read the comment
Topics related to Colossians 2:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Colossians 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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