Putting Christ First: In Christ Alone, Colossians 2:8

Putting Christ First: In Christ Alone

Colossians 2:8

A Warning (v. 8a)

• As Paul mentioned in v. 4, Paul warns the church against false teachers
  • Whose words sound good
  • But would capture and make plunder* of the hearers
    • Συλαγωγέω (sulagogew): to gain control of by carrying off as booty

 

Philosophies (v. 8b)

• These false teachers do this through hollow and deceptive philosophy
• Paul is not speaking of all philosophies here
  • The belief systems of Judaism were called philosophies by Josephus
• But rather, he is warning the church against the empty and deceitful beliefs of the false teachers

 

Human Traditions (v. 8c)

• These teachings were based on human traditions
  • Teachings based in human-centered speculation
• The same language Jesus uses to describe the Pharisees and teachers of the Law (Mark 7:1–23)

 

Elements of the World (v. 8d)

• These teachings were based on basic ‘elements’ of the ‘world’
• Could have 3 different meanings:
  1. The fundamental components of the world (2 Pet. 3:10, 12)
     • Earth, air, fire, water*
     • Based on a natural view of the world alone
       • Limiting spiritual truth to physical behaviors like circumcision, diet, and holy days (see v. 16, 20-23)
       • Or basing our understanding of the world only on ‘science’

2. The elementary principles of this world (see Heb. 5:12)
   • Tied to their understanding of the Law in life of Christians
   • Thus, to them righteousness would be tied to keeping the Law rather than faith in Christ (see v. 16. 20-23)
3. Spiritual forces
   • Giving too much attention to angels, demons, and other spiritual beings (see v. 10, 15, 18; 1:16, 20)
   • And thus taking away the central place of Christ

In Christ Alone (v. 8e)

• Paul returns to what our lives and faith must be centered in
  • CHRIST: Jesus as Lord!
• Nothing else and no one else helps us understand the world and our place in it

 

So What?

• What are we building our lives upon?
• Is Jesus the lens through which we see the world and ourselves?

 

 

Meditation Verse: Colossians 2:8