Colossians: The Traditions of Men
You see that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of man, according to the elementary principles of the world and not according to Christ. – Colossians 2:8
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Deceive (ἀπάτη)
Deceive (ἀπάτη) expresses the concept of misleading someone through untrue statements intended to give them a wrong impression or misrepresentation of the truth.
When the man of lawlessness comes, it will be in accordance with the working of Satan by his inherent ability with signs and lying wonders and with all unrighteous deception to the ones perishing. Those who follow him will have strong delusion upon them because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10.
During Christ’s earthly ministry, the deception of the riches of this world choked out the message of the Kingdom of the Heavens many received, Matthew 13:22. Rather than following the Messiah, whom they believed was Jesus, they allowed the deceitful desire for wealth to lead them away from the promise of God.
One of the derivatives of this word emphasizes a thorough deception. Eve was thoroughly deceived (ἐξαπατάω) by Satan into eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; however, Adam was not deceived (ἀπατάω), 1 Timothy 2:14. This is why sin came into the world through Adam; although, Eve was first to transgress, Romans 5:12. The sons of the unpersuaded use empty words to deceive, Ephesians 5:6. The false teachers among us thoroughly deceive the hearts of the simple, Romans 16:18. If anyone considers himself to be religious but cannot bridle his tongue, he is deceived in his own heart, James 1:26. Our sin nature uses law to thoroughly deceive us, making it impossible to live out our righteousness in Christ through law, Romans 7:11.
Those who intentionally deceive are misleading others by distorting the truth, just as Satan deceived Eve by his craftiness, they seek to corrupt our […]
Simplicity (ἁπλότης)
Simplicity conveys a singleness of nature or unity. Therefore, its purpose is not dividable; rather, it is immutable while expressing a state of openness, frankness, or directness.
In addressing the saints in Rome, the Apostle Paul encouraged the ones with the Spiritual gift of giving to use this gift with simplicity, Romans 12:8. Whether we have the gift or not, when it comes to giving, we are not to do it under compulsion, or out from necessity, but with a cheerful heart, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians 9:7. Therefore, let each one determine in his heart what he desires to give from his excess and do it so with simplicity, having no other intent.
In contrast to fleshly wisdom, we are to conduct ourselves in this world in simplicity and godly sincerity, 2 Corinthians 1:12. This is especially important when it comes to ones who teach the Word of God. Their purpose should always be to teach others, not to gain anything from them by teaching. An assembly should take care of its Pastor, and for those who serve well, they should provide for him a double portion; however, the intent of the Pastor should be simple, to equip them unto a work of ministry for the edification of the body of the Christ to bring them all to a unity (oneness) of the faith and a full experiential knowledge of the Son of God so that they are no longer tossed around by every wind of teaching by the trickery of men in deceit.
When it comes to someone who presents a different gospel or receives a different spirit, we are not to put up with them, for they seek to corrupt us […]
Philosophy (φιλοσοφία)
Philosophy is the fondness of wisdom through the rational, methodical, and abstract consideration of reality as a fundamental measurement of human existence. Because philosophy is based upon the traditions of men and the elementary principles of the world system, not according to the Christ, the wisdom it seeks is also that of the world. A wisdom that is by its nature foolishness to God.
As Christians, we are to beware of those who seek to gain control over us through philosophy and vain deceit., Colossians 2:8. Just as the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers of Athens rejected the truth of the resurrected Christ, philosophers continue to do that today because they do not seek the wisdom of God, Acts 17:18-32. Those who profess themselves to be wise while rejecting the clear evidence of the Creator, through their lack of appreciation for what He provides, become foolish in their darkened hearts, changing the incorruptible God to that of corruptible man, birds, four-footed animals, and creeping things, Romans 1:21-24. These are the “so called” wise religious men of this world, who follow after the traditions of men, while ignoring the truth. They are the ones teaching the elementary principles of the world as a means for righteousness and peace: touch not, taste not, handle not. These are practices that have an appearance of wisdom in self-made religions, humility, and neglect of the body that have no value in controlling the indulgences of the flesh, Colossians 2:23. If anyone thinks himself to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God and those who think they are wise in this age are caught in their own craftiness, 1 Corinthians […]
To be strengthened (ἐνδυναμόω)
To be strengthened (ἐνδυναμόω) is giving a person the ability or function to do something.
Because Christ manifested Himself to Paul and corrected his path, after spending three years in the desert learning, he returns to Damascus and immediately begins preaching the Messiah is the Son of God. The Jews were astonished that Saul was proclaiming Christ because he was known to be the one who had come to Damascus with orders from the Chief Priests so that he could destroy those who called on the name of Christ. However, Paul was strengthened against their astonishment and confounded them, proving that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and therefore God in the flesh, Acts 9:20-22. Paul did this through the evidence provided in the Old Testament.
Abraham was strengthened in his faith concerning God’s promise of a son, not counting the condition of his own body or the deadness of Sarah’s womb but was fully convinced that God would do what He said He would perform, Romans 4:19-21. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. God strengthened his faith when He rejected Ishmael and informed him that the promise of his seed would come through Sarah.
When it comes to defeating an attack from Satan, we are to be strengthened in the Lord. We are not to try and take him on by our own means or through the traditions of men. Rather, our victory over Satan is in Christ and therefore we need to be strengthened in the Lord as we go into battle against him, Ephesians 6:10. This means we are recognizing the fact that our defense against Satan is because God has taken us out of Adam and placed […]