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.
This is a translation according to usage by the author:
Colossians 2:4. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
Do not be fooled by plausible speech.
There are all kinds of traps to get you involved in some religious movement and rob you of your mind and goods. Hypnosis or brainwashing accompanies these false movements. Moreover, it becomes impossible for one to burst the bands and get free. Satan has his so-called gospel and plenty of agents out selling it. Even in the Bible school classroom or in the pulpit, the reasonings of man can be detected, leading folks astray from The Truth that is in Jesus Christ. It is like the old parable of the spider and the fly. And many are entangled in these days.
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.
Now, the word philosophy means love of wisdom. But when it is the wisdom of the world, it is often a lie. And much of what is called religious philosophy is just that, lies. Note that this could read as a vain and deceitful philosophy. So the word is not out of place if used of True Wisdom, that not of this world.
Most of the traditions of men are the outcome of a false philosophy and even from rationalizing, which is also a dangerous practice. You can fool yourself into believing almost anything if the flesh actuates it. Galatians 4:3 speaks of children of bondage under the elements of the world. Elements really mean a foundation, necessary things. But when of the world, they are to be shunned. All these things are not after or according to Christ.
Colossians 2:16. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days.
This warning is aimed at going back to the elements of Judaism, the law. The eating and drinking of the Passover are no longer to be observed (wrongly called the Lord's supper). We are to worship in spirit and in truth, not by earthly things. Religious holidays are not to be observed (Lent, Easter, Christmas, etc.). All these are carnal, not spiritual. Not of works, lest any man should boast. At the present rate, there may soon be more holidays on the calendar than working days.
Colossians 2:18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.
Voluntary humility is worth nothing. It is only a pretense to gain the admiration of men. It is disgusting when one sees the goal of it. And such can have pride in their humility, which is, after all, just a false front. God has no reward for such human antics; in fact, just the opposite. It is common for religious organizations to portray angels in their decorations. Empty, vain idolatry!
Be on guard, beware, lest you get entangled and lose rewards!
